Oliver's Great Big Universe TP (2026)

“Mind-expanding and hilarious!”—Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy KidEarth sciences meet Diary of a Wimpy Kid in Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot!, second in an original illustrated middle-grade fiction series that blends science with narrative from bestselling author-artist Jorge Cham, the Emmy Award–nominated creator of PBS’s Elinor Wonders WhyAfter writing his first book, eleven-year-old Oliver is kind of a celebrity around school—no big deal. But when he gets caught in a cafeteria catastrophe, he quickly goes from being the "funny science kid" to one of the "Epic Barf Kids," the result of too much explosive cherry pie in the lunchroom. Oliver is desperate to restore his reputation—and winning the science fair sounds like the perfect way for everyone to forget about the whole barf thing. There’s just one obstacle standing in his way: Ana Lía Quintero, who wins the science fair every year.Luckily, Oliver has the help of his geoscientist aunt, even though she’s a little, um, quirky (scratch that: really quirky). If Oliver has any chance of defeating his archnemesis, he’ll have to learn all about volcanic burping and bacteria farts, how Earth’s layers are basically like boba tea, and how school cliques and the solar system have a lot in common.With laugh-out-loud humor and cartoon-style illustrations from bestselling writer and the creator of PHD Comics Jorge Cham, Oliver’s Great Big Universe is a STEAM-themed, diary-style series following one kid who’s taking on the whole universe—if he can survive middle school first.

This laugh-out-loud illustrated series is “mind-expanding and hilarious!” says Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.“An absolute gem!” Lincoln Peirce, bestselling creator of Big Nate, agrees. “Will get the entire family laughing and learning together,” adds Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the New York Times bestselling Amulet graphic novel series.From the bestselling writer and creator of PHD Comics, Jorge Cham, Oliver’s Great Big Universe is a diary-style series following an 11-year-old who’s taking on the whole universe—if he can survive middle school first.Oliver has a lot going on as he starts his first year of middle school—new friends, new classes, new everything. But at least there’s one thing that still makes sense: science!Determined to be an astrophysicist one day, Oliver explains everything he learns—like how the sun burps, how ghost particles fly through you, the uncanny similarities between Mercury and cafeteria meatballs, and most important, how the Big Bang is basically just like a fart in the school hallway.Also, there are time-bending black holes, exploding supernova stars, and aliens! Well, there could be aliens.Oliver finally feels like he’s starting to figure things out . . . but can he stay out of the principal’s office or catch a break from his annoying sister?Oliver’s Great Big Universe series:Oliver’s Great Big Universe (#1)Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot! (#2)