A KENDAL amateur astronomer has released a book about space with a major children’s publisher.

The Solar System by Stuart Atkinson takes the reader on a journey through the wonders of the tiny portion of space bound by our Sun’s gravitational pull.

The short book is the 11th by Mr Atkinson, and has been published by major company Ladybird.

Mr Atkinson said he just missed showing the finished book to his mum, Maureen, who died at the age of 81 at the beginning of July.

“I got my advance author copies just a few days too late,” he said.

“She supported me all the way through.

“I always gave her a copy of my books.”

Mr Atkinson, 56, grew up reading Ladybird books. His love of space was initially given lift-off by the later manned moon landings, the last of which was in 1972.

He reflected on what it was about space that made it a continuous source of fascination for him.

“It’s just knowing your place,” he said.

“I stand at Kendal Castle.

“I think: ‘I’m here on these 800-year-old castle ruins’, which is pretty cool by itself.

“Every one of those stars above is a sun with planets around it.

“It just gives you a sense of perspective.

“It just makes you feel how you fit into things.”

Mr Atkinson, who has written a host of books on astronomy and space for children, jumped at the chance to add one published by Ladybird to his catalogue.

“I write books and edit books for publishers,” he said.

“I have been editing books for Ladybird for a while, and my name came up as a potential author.

“It’s a one-stop guide to the solar system.

“It takes the kids on a journey through the system.

“This is the kids’ doorway to Narnia.”

Mr Atkinson is a support worker at Riverside House residential care home in Kendal. He pursues astronomy on top of this work and writes a column for The Westmorland Gazette discussing the wonders people can spot in the skies above them each week.

He hopes his new book can enthuse children about space, and is very pleased with the finished product.

“A lot of books today, they just put in the usual Nasa photos,” he said.

“This has got quirky, really quite stylish artwork.”

The book is out now. It serves as an update to Ladybird’s existing books on space and is available to buy online and at Waterstones in Kendal.