SATA

PERSONAL

Born July 12, 1962, in London, England.

Keele University, B.S. (physics and philosophy), 1984, Ph.D. (astrophysics), 1987.

ADDRESS

• Home - Twickenham, England.

CAREER

Author. National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England, member of acoustics group, then head of acoustics, 1987-2007; freelance research scientist and science writer.

Institute of Acoustics, Royal Astronomical Society.

Science Writing Competition winner, Institute of Physics/National Physical Science Laboratory (UK), 1992, for essay “A Listening Machine?,” and 1993, for essay “Thinking Machines”; Junior Aventis Science Prize shortlist, 2002, for Albert Einstein and His Inflatable Universe, and 2004, for Riotous Robots.

WRITINGS

• NONFICTION
• The Science Museum Book of Amazing Facts: Time, Hodder Wayland (London, England), 1999
• Space Travel (“Spinning through Space” series), Hodder Wayland (London, England), 2000
• Space Mysteries (“Spinning through Space” series), Hodder Wayland (London, England), 2000
• Neil Armstrong: The First Man on the Moon, Hodder Wayland (London, England), , Raintree Steck-Vaughn (Austin, TX), 2001
• Galileo (“Scientists Who Made History” series), Hodder Wayland (London, England), 2001
• Albert Einstein and His Inflatable Universe (“Dead Famous” series), illustrated by Philip Reeve, Hippo (London, England), 2001, published as Einstein and His Inflatable Universe (“Horribly Famous” series), Scholastic (London, England), 2010
• John Logie Baird (“Scientists Who Made History” series), Hodder Wayland (London, England), , Raintree Steck-Vaughn (Austin, TX), 2002
• Guglielmo Marconi (“Scientists Who Made History” series), Raintree Steck-Vaughn (Austin, TX), 2002
• Riotous Robots (“The Knowledge” series), illustrated by Mike Phillips, Hippo (London, England), 2003, published as Totally Riotous Robots, Scholastic (London, England), 2009
• Scientists and Their Mind-Blowing Experiments (“Dead Famous” series), illustrated by Clive Goddard, Hippo (London, England), 2003, published as Charles Darwin and Other Seriously Super Scientists (“Horribly Famous” series), Scholastic (London, England), 2009
• Fantastic Future (“The Knowledge” series), illustrated by Daniel Postgate, Scholastic (London, England), 2004
• Solar System (“Kingfisher Young Knowledge” series), Kingfisher (Boston, MA), 2004
• Space (“Voyages” series), Kingfisher (Boston, MA), 2005
• Light and Sound (“Kingfisher Young Knowledge” series), Kingfisher (Boston, MA), 2007
• (With Clive Gifford) Explore Encylopedia, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2008
• Stars & Planets (“Navigators” series), Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2008
• Everything You Need to Know about Science, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2009
• My Body (“Let’s Find Out About …” series), Crabtree (New York, NY), 2009
• Recycling (“Let’s Find Out About …” series), Ticktock Books (London, England), , Crabtree (New York, NY), 2009
• The Weather (“Let’s Find Out About …” series), Crabtree (New York, NY), 2009
• Space and Mighty Machines: Fun, Facts, and Stories with a Ripley Twist!, illustrated by Ian Graham, Ripley Publishing (Orlando, FL), 2009
• A Beginner’s Guide to Measurement, National Physical Laboratory (England), 2010
• Big Book of Science Facts, Ticktock Books (London, England), 2010
• (With others) Big Ideas That Changed the World, Dorling Kindersley (London, England), 2010
• Weather (“I Wonder Why: Flip the Flaps” series), illustrated by Nicki Palin, Kingfisher (London, England), 2010
• Planet Earth (“I Wonder Why: Flip the Flaps” series), illustrated by Nicki Palin, Kingfisher (London, England), 2010
• How Loud Is a Digger?, illustrated by Simon Abbott, Ticktock Books (Kent, England), 2010
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Space, Mason Crest (Broomall, PA), 2010
• Science Detectives, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2010
• Solar System, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2010
• Amazing Space, Dorling Kindersley (London, England), 2011
• Computers (“Eyewitness” series), Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 2011
• Dinosaurs, Ticktock Books (Kent, England), 2011
• Earth: The Life of Our Planet, illustrated by Mark A. Garlick, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2011
• Snot Collectors, Spider Ladders, and Other Bonkers Inventions, illustrated by Clive Goddard, Scholastic UK (London, England), 2011
• Space Adventure, Ticktock Books (Kent, England), 2011
• Zoom Encyclopedia: A Close-up and Far-out Look at Our World, Dorling Kindersley (London, England), 2011
• Discord: The Story of Noise, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2012
• Light and Sound (“Discover Science” series), Kingfisher (London, England), 2012
• From Zero to Infinity (and Beyond): Cool Maths Stuff You Need to Know, Buster (London, England), 2012
• How Heavy Is an Elephant?, Ticktock Books (London, England), 2012
• How Slow Is a Snail?, Ticktock Books (London, England), 2012
• Math (“I Wish I Knew That” series), Reader’s Digest (New York, NY), 2012
• Space, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2012
• The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2012
• Universe: Journey into Deep Space, illustrated by Mark A. Garlick, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2012
• Everything You Need to Know about Space, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2013
• Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time, Thames & Hudson (New York, NY), 2014
• The Airport (“I Explore” series), illustrated by Kate Daubney, Red Shed (London, England), 2014, Sterling Children’s Books (New York, NY), 2015
• In One End and out the Other: What Happens to Poo When It Leaves You?, illustrated by Richard Watson, Egmont (London, England), 2014
• Inventions in 30 Seconds: 30 World-Changing Ideas for Creative Kids Explained in Half a Minute, illustrated by Chris Anderson, Quarto Library (Lake Forest, CA), 2014
• Science Ideas in 30 Seconds: 30 Breakthrough Theories for Junior Geniuses Explained in Half a Minute, illustrated by Melvyn Evans, Ivy (Lewes, England), 2014
• Sensational Senses, illustrated by Anna Bowles, Ticktock Books (London, England), 2014
• Under the Sea (“I Explore” series), illustrated by Kate Daubney, Egmont (London, England), 2014
• Digging for Dinosaurs (“I Explore” series), illustrated by Kate Daubney, Sterling Children’s Books (New York, NY), 2015
• Sound: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2015
• New Horizons to Pluto, CreateSpace, 2015
• (With Miranda Smith) The Cold Book, Red Shed (London, England), 2015
• Earth and Space, illustrated by Margaret Hynes, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2016
• Listopia: Space, Little Bee Books (New York, NY), 2016
• (With Harriet Russell) This Book Thinks You’re a Math Genius, Thames & Hudson (New York, NY), 2017
• Legendary Journeys: Space, Silver Dolphin Books (San Diego, CA), 2017
• Science Ideas in Thirty Seconds, Ivy Kids (Brooklyn, NY), 2018
• Waves: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press (New York, NY), 2018
• Geometry: Understanding Shapes and Sizes, Shelter Harbour Press (New York, NY), 2019
• Algebra to Calculus: Unlocking Math's Amazing Power, Shelter Harbour Press (New York, NY), 2019
• How to Be a Math Genius: Your Brilliant Brian and How to Train It, illustrated by Seb Burnett, DK Publishing (New York, NY), 2022
• The Secrets of the Universe, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2022
• The Shocking Truth about Energy ("Very Short Introductions for Curious Young Minds" series), Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2023

Contributor to periodicals, including Astronomy & Astrophysics, Institute of Acoustics Bulletin, Irish Astronomical Journal, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Metrologia, and Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics.

SIDELIGHTS

Mike Goldsmith is an English scientist and author of children’s nonfiction books. After earning a Ph.D. from Keele University, he served as the head of the acoustics group of the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, England. In 1999, Goldsmith released his first book, The Science Museum Book of Amazing Facts: Time. He has gone on to publish dozens more.

Neil Armstrong: The First Man on the Moon is a biography by Goldsmith for young readers. It reveals Armstrong’s early years, details his experience as an astronaut, and chronicles his life after his legendary journey on the Apollo 11 space mission. Goldsmith details humankind’s experiences outside Earth’s atmosphere in Space. School Library Journal critic Sandra Welzenback suggested that the book and others like it “could be used as stepping stones to build curiosity and generate future research.” “This is an engaging read for space enthusiasts,” asserted Jayne Gould in School Librarian. Writing in Booklist, Gillian Engberg remarked: “The strong text and many vivid images … will easily draw browsers and aspiring astronauts alike.”

In Stars & Planets, Goldsmith presents information on and photographs of heavenly bodies. He includes explanations on the life cycle of stars and features quotes from celebrated scientists like Carl Sagan. Everything You Need to Know about Science is an encyclopedia that includes brief descriptions of a wide range of topics related to science. Among the featured topics are stalactites, chemical reactions, the periodic table, and robots. “Science enthusiasts will enjoy browsing this smorgasbord of information,” asserted Barbara Auerbach in School Library Journal.

Discord: The Story of Noise finds Goldsmith defining the term noise and explaining it from a scientific standpoint. He discusses how noise affects the planet today and offers suggestions on how to minimize it. Choice critic S. Schmidt Horning commented that the book is “factually dense but engagingly written.” Light and Sound offers explanations of concepts, including sound waves, sunlight, eclipses, and electricity. Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman noted that the volume features “lots of full-color photographs and a simple, lively text.”

Goldsmith offers brief explanations of topics related to astronomy in The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia. A Kirkus Reviews critic described the volume as “handsome … and up to date.” Blaire Ranucci, a contributor to Booklist, remarked that the volume is “an excellent starting point for up-to-date information on space.” Goldsmith again presents a book on stars, planets, and other phenomena encountered beyond Earth’s atmosphere in Universe: Journey into Deep Space. Cindi Smith-Walters, writing in Science and Children, remarked: “This book takes you on a vivid, virtual journey to explore some of the universe’s most intriguing places.” A Kirkus Reviews writer noted that the volume “should keep any young sky watcher enthralled, and the text, despite its fleetness, provides plenty of illumination of the deep-space dark.” Erin Anderson, a critic in Booklist, described the book as “an accessible choice for young readers in spite of its abstract content.”

In Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time, Goldsmith highlights nineteen scientists and the discoveries for which they are best known. The book is formatted chronologically and features Albert Einstein, Edward Hubble, and Alexander Fleming, among others. Angela Leeper, a contributor to Booklist, suggested: “Sidebars … add an extra wow factor that may turn readers into would-be scientists.” “Goldsmith’s selection of scientists is quite balanced, with both women and men included,” remarked Rachel Wadham in Voice of Youth Advocates.

Goldsmith switches gears to present a book on marine biology in Under the Sea. In this volume readers view illustrations and read descriptions of sea creatures, including jellyfish, seals, and pilotfish. Science Ideas in Thirty Seconds finds Goldsmith again presenting short descriptions of scientific concepts. The book features thirty topics, including the theory of evolution as disseminated by Charles Darwin, the magnetic poles of the Earth, the Big Bang theory, and the speed of sound.

[open new]Geometry: Understanding Shapes and Sizes is one of Goldsmith’s several mathematical titles. Starting with geometry’s foundations in measurement and architecture in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Babylonia, the book identifies important thinkers and traces the evolution of key ideas over time. Goldsmith explores applications in fields like medicine and space exploration, and sidebars, charts, solvable problems, and references round out the text. Appreciating the “brief but informational entries” featuring “plenty of graphics,” Kathleen McBroom concluded in a Booklist review that “this attractive offering is sure to find an audience.” Goldsmith advances into physics in The Shocking Truth about Energy, where he forgoes mathematical formulas and equations to focus on conceptual discussions. Topics include basic machines, magnetism, electricity, and thermodynamics. School Librarian reviewer Henrietta Price deemed this volume “invaluable,” as “every page carries an interesting explanation.”[close new]

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

• Booklist, October 15, 2005, Gillian Engberg, review of Space, p. 68; February 15, 2007, Hazel Rochman, review of Light and Sound, p. 81; October 1, 2010, Shelle Rosenfeld, review of Solar System, p. 78; May 1, 2012, Blaire Ranucci, review of The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia, p. 95; December 15, 2012, Erin Anderson, review of Universe: Journey into Deep Space, p. 39; May 15, 2014, Angela Leeper, review of Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time, p. 47; December 1, 2019, Kathleen McBroom, review of Geometry: Understanding Shapes and Sizes, p. 44.

• Choice, December, 2013, S. Schmidt Horning, review of Discord: The Story of Noise, p. 660.

• Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2012, review of The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia; August 1, 2012, review of Space; August 15, 2012, review of Universe; July 1, 2015, review of Under the Sea; May 1, 2018, review of Science Ideas in Thirty Seconds.

• Nature, September 6, 2012, review of Discord, p. 31.

• Publishers Weekly, August 20, 2012, review of Discord, p. 51.

• School Librarian, fall, 2014, Peter Andrews, review of Eureka!, p. 188; summer, 2018, Jayne Gould, review of Space, p. 114; fall, 2023, Henrietta Price, review of The Shocking Truth about Energy, p. 57.

• School Library Journal, June, 2001, John Peters, review of Space Mysteries, p. 136; February, 2002, John Peters, review of Neil Armstrong: The First Man on the Moon, p. 120; April, 2005, Shauna Yusko, review of Solar System, p. 122; December, 2008, John Peters, review of Stars and Planets, p. 112; October, 2009, Barbara Auerbach, review of Everything You Need to Know about Science, p. 112; June, 2014, Audrey Sumser, review of Eureka!, p. 145; July, 2016, Sandra Welzenbach, review of Space, p. 91.

• Science and Children, March, 2013, Cindi Smith-Walters, review of Universe, p. 93.

• Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2014, Rachel Wadham, review of Eureka!, p. 93.

ONLINE

• Mike Goldsmith website, https://mikegoldsmith.weebly.com (April 16, 2024).