Review: Star Trek – Book of Opposites / Written by: David Borgenicht / Publisher: Quirk Books / Release date: November 6th (UK)

Review by Simon Besson (age 41):

The latest offering from prolific author and worst-case scenario survivalist, David Borgenicht is a wonderful little oddity in the form of a pre-school educational book teaching children a number of different words and their opposites by using visual examples from none other than classic episodes of Star Trek.

Anyone with kids will be familiar with the format of this chunky book with its dozen or so rip-proof cardboard pages, primary colour panels and large, clear text but it’s the context that sets this apart from the normal ‘Apple = Red’ type children’s book that we are so used to with glossily reproduced stills from the William Shatner era illustrating words like ‘calm’ (close up of Dr Spock’s stoical features) opposite ‘surprised’ (Captain Kirk frozen in camp-shocked pose). Other word combinations include appear/disappear, empty/full, big/little and Star Trek fans will have lots of fun naming which episodes the accompanying pictures are taken from.

This is first and foremost a children’s book and as such there is nothing offensive or scary in it to be concerned about but it is also a lovingly reproduced tribute by a super-fan for other fans and if it subconsciously cements Star Trek into the awareness of a whole new generation of fans then all the better.

There is no other children’s book like this and there is no other Star Trek book like this – it is a joy for everyone.

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Review by Abigail Besson (age 4):

I love ‘Star Trek – Book of Opposites’. It is really really funny and I love the pictures.

My favourite page is the alien with all the hair and the mean lady.

I was not scared and this is good for children to learn new words.