Big Picture Press, an imprint of Templar Publishing, is partnering with the Science Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to publish two new titles in its hugely successful Welcome to the Museum series.
The first of the two books, Planetarium, in partnership with the Science Museum, is written by UCL Professor of Astrophysics, Raman Prinja and illustrated by The Book of Dust’s Chris Wormell. Set to publish later this year, the book will herald a likely surge in space publishing for the moon-landing anniversary in 2019.
The second book, Fungarium, in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is written by the Kew mycology team and illustrated by Katie Scott – the artist behind Animalium and Botanicum in the same series. The book is the second title that Big Picture Press has created in partnership with Kew, the first, Botanicum, published in 2o16 and was written by Kew’s Director of Science, Kathy Willis.
Fungarium is aimed at adult visitors at Kew and joins the imprint’s “flagship” Welcome to the Museum series, which has sold nearly one million copies worldwide in 28 languages.
…Planetarium will give readers a beautifully illustrated insight into our exploration of the universe so far.
-Wendy Burford, Science Museum Group Publishing Manager.
Wendy Burford, Science Museum Group Publishing Manager, said: “We are thrilled that Planetarium will be joining the Welcome to the Museum series. Exploring Space is one of our most iconic galleries, filled with fascinating Space Age objects and stories. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and Planetarium will give readers a beautifully illustrated insight into our exploration of the universe so far.”
Gina Fullerlove, Head of Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew commented: “We are extremely excited that Fungarium is being added to the Welcome to the Museum series. Kew’s own fungarium houses 1.25 million dried specimens, the largest collection of its kind in the world, dating back to 1897. Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but they interact with both in extraordinary and often hidden ways. They are weird and wonderful heroes of the natural world. It is going to be great fun to showcase just a few in this new book.”
“We are extremely excited that Fungarium is being added to the Welcome to the Museum series.”
-Gina Fullerlove, Head of Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Lisa Edwards, Head of Children’s Publishing, Kings Road Publishing said: “Welcome to the Museum has become a flagship series for Big Picture Press and the partnership with Kew on Botanicum was so successful that we’re delighted to be working with them and the wonderful Katie Scott again. We pride ourselves on finding exactly the right illustrators and partners for our beautiful books and the Science Museum share our passion for helping children and families discover the fascinating world around them. Together with Raman Prinja and the illustrator of the moment, Chris Wormell, we know we have created a superb book offering and a Christmas gift winner on our hands.”
Planetarium is set to publish in September 2018, followed by Fungarium in August 2019.
