Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint
Encyclopedia
Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint is the first novel in the Danny Dunn
series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin
and Jay Williams
. The book was first published in 1956 and originally illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
.
unless they can repair the ship. Should they fail in this, they will drift too far from the Sun and freeze to death
.
. It explores the aspects of actual space exploration versus science fiction. Danny's teacher, in an effort to get him to stop daydreaming about space adventures, punishes him by making him write repeatedly "Space travel is at least one hundred years away". After his teacher congratulates Danny for his spaceflight, he gives her the punishment assignment which he worked on while on board, and she humbly says she will keep it as a souvenir.
Brockhampton Press
Archway Books
Pocket Books
Danny Dunn
Danny Dunn is the name of a fictional character and protagonist of a series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin and Jay Williams, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s...
series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin
Raymond Abrashkin
Raymond Abrashkin was an American writer best known for writing, co-producing, and co-directing the acclaimed movie, The Little Fugitive, and for co-creating and co-authoring the highly successful Danny Dunn series of science fiction books for children with Jay Williams.-Family:Raymond's parents...
and Jay Williams
Jay Williams (author)
Jay Williams was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college...
. The book was first published in 1956 and originally illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
Ezra Jack Keats
Ezra Jack Keats , Caldecott-winning author of The Snowy Day, was one of the most important children's literature authors and illustrators of the 20th Century....
.
Plot
Through a mishap in Professor Bulfinch's laboratory, Danny accidentally creates an anti-gravity paint. In time, the government constructs a spaceship which uses the paint as a propulsion system. The spaceship is launched prematurely after Danny and Joe follow Professor Bulfinch and Dr. Grimes on a tour of the ship. A mechanical failure dooms the four to a trip out of the Solar SystemSolar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun...
unless they can repair the ship. Should they fail in this, they will drift too far from the Sun and freeze to death
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
.
Current Science
The book was published in 1956, one year before the start of the Space AgeSpace Age
The Space Age is a time period encompassing the activities related to the Space Race, space exploration, space technology, and the cultural developments influenced by these events. The Space Age is generally considered to have begun with Sputnik...
. It explores the aspects of actual space exploration versus science fiction. Danny's teacher, in an effort to get him to stop daydreaming about space adventures, punishes him by making him write repeatedly "Space travel is at least one hundred years away". After his teacher congratulates Danny for his spaceflight, he gives her the punishment assignment which he worked on while on board, and she humbly says she will keep it as a souvenir.
Editions
McGraw-Hill- (Paperback, 1956, illustrated by Ezra Jack KeatsEzra Jack KeatsEzra Jack Keats , Caldecott-winning author of The Snowy Day, was one of the most important children's literature authors and illustrators of the 20th Century....
) - (Hardback, 1956, illustrated by Ezra Jack KeatsEzra Jack KeatsEzra Jack Keats , Caldecott-winning author of The Snowy Day, was one of the most important children's literature authors and illustrators of the 20th Century....
)
Brockhampton Press
Brockhampton Press
Brockhampton Press was a British publishing company, based in Leicester. Originally specialising in children's books, from about 1940, it published well known series, including Asterix, many of Enid Blyton's story collections and Scottish author Nigel Tranter's children's books.It is now an imprint...
- (Hardback, 1959, illustrated by Ezra Jack KeatsEzra Jack KeatsEzra Jack Keats , Caldecott-winning author of The Snowy Day, was one of the most important children's literature authors and illustrators of the 20th Century....
)
Archway Books
- (Paperback, 1979, #7 in their series)
Pocket Books
- (Paperback, 1983 reissue, illustrated by Ezra Jack KeatsEzra Jack KeatsEzra Jack Keats , Caldecott-winning author of The Snowy Day, was one of the most important children's literature authors and illustrators of the 20th Century....
)