Why are bubbles always round? Could I ever touch a rainbow? Why can't I remember being a baby? Have you ever not been able to concentrate because there are SO many questions buzzing round your brain? The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions will offer answers to the most bamboozling questions and curious queries that you can think of. How many stars are in the night sky? Why don't animals wear clothes? Do plants have feelings? Aaron Cushley’s extraordinary illustrations add extra surreal detail and capture the infinite reach of a child’s imagination . Pippa added, "Ireally want to read The Bedtime book of impossible questions because it makes me think about what I can achieve, and hopefully become an author and write my own book."Olivia loved the webinar and said. ‘’I enjoyed listening to the impossible questions and also listening to how she answered them.’’

A Guardian Best Book of 2022!“Top-notch nonfiction from a profoundly accomplished author, it’s the sort of book that could ignite lifelong scientific curiosity.” I love bringing science to the stage and screen, in live events for schools and festivals. In the last few years I have appeared at the Royal Institution, Cheltenham Literature Festival, Isle of Wight Literary Festival, Cheltenham Science Festival, Bradford Literary Festival, Oxford Literary Festival, Bourneville LitFest, Wealden Literary Festival, Linton Bookfest, the AAAS Annual Conference and on BBC Woman’s Hour. I've also spoke to hundreds of children in dozens of school visits. The questions continue to flow at home. A 2017 study revealed that the average four-year-old ask s 73 questions a day . And the average parent knows that t he most wonderful – and hardest to answer – are always saved for bedtime! I hope The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions leads to even more imaginative, improbable, impossible questions – and inspires the next generation of Ig Nobel nominees! One hundred million users signed up to ChatCPT within two months of its launch, and I’m one of them. As a science writer, I was keen to try out the OpenAI chatbot’s so-called game-changing ability to provide written answers to any question. Answers reportedly so creative and coherent that machine learning is predicted to disrupt the children’s book industry.

Reviews

Pupils enjoyed a VIP visit from author Ms Isabel Thomas, on World Book Day, who ran inspirational workshops and activities with the girls. Pre-prep pupils were captivated with story-telling.”

Yesterday, children in Year 3 and Year 4 spent the morning meeting children's author, Isabel Thomas,via zoom. Isabel Thomas is a science author who has written many books, including her new book, 'The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions'. As you can imagine, the children were so excited to combine two of ourfavourites at Badger Hill: Science and reading. Recommended by Children’s Books Ireland on Today with Claire Byrne!“This book is absolutely mind-blowing, and I would have loved it as a child.” It can already do certain things faster than books can – such as helping a child identify an insect they have spotted. But carefully curated books about science and nature have the power to connect with children in a way that AI can’t; to encourage them to notice the insect, appreciate its beauty and mystery and yearn to discover its name. Children’s questions can be unexpected, baffling and even impossible to answer fully . But as a writer, they are a brilliant starting point for adventures in the real world . Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark...Top-notch nonfiction from a profoundly accomplished author, it's the sort of book that could ignite lifelong scientific curiosity." Guardian

Of course, we all need enough sleep ( the reasons are explained in the book! ) so each answer is written as a short, self-contained bedtime story, subtly weaving in scientific research . I just wanted to to say, thank you again for taking time out of your day to talk to us. The kids absolutely loved it and certainly felt inspired to hear how you became a writer (one of our SEND boys created his own book right away about space after hearing you talk). We were also impressed by your knowledge about science with all our silly science questions."This book would suit a wide range of ages, from five-year-olds who ask a million questions a day themselves, to 11-year-olds who are curious and ready to absorb the information and facts. My daughter and I highly recommend The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions!

Science is driven by questions, and not just sensible ones. Every year, the Ig Nobel Prizes honour the most improbable questions asked – and answered – by researchers . Is it safer to transport an airborne rhinoceros upside-down ? Are cats liquid or solid? Why do wombats do cube-shaped poos? Help Isabel explore answers with interactive challenges and bring your most bamboozling brainteasers for a chance to star in her next book. An event for everyone who won’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer. Asking everything from “How does gravity work?”, “Why am I me and not someone else?”, and “Do plants have feelings?”, to “How do we know Earth is round?”, “Are aliens real?” and “Could I swim in ice-cream?”, this book is fascinating and fun. What’s more, not only does The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions ask dozens of seemingly impossible questions that might keep you up at night, but it also shares answers, so readers can drift into thought-provoking dreams that’ll keep them curious about the world. We were thrilled that Isabel joined The LoveReading LitFest to share her real life adventures in curiosity. You can find a preview of this event and sign up to become a member. The LoveReading LitFest is a digitally native, all year round, online literature and books festival, with new content released every week is a free-for-all-users festival.ChatGPT handled my straightforward science questions with impressive ease. At first, it feels like a GPS for navigating the Internet sprawl – avoiding the pile up of search engine results on your way the information you need. It’s easy to see why it has already been incorporated into science and maths tutoring systems, and can even pass some of the world’s toughest exams. David Almond introduces his new picture book, A Way to the Stars, a story about perseverance and finding a way to make dreams come true. Collecting together the most bamboozling questions I’ve ever been asked by children, it’s a celebration of curiosity, and a treasure trove of answers written to be read aloud .