How many different ways are there to explain cutting-edge physics to readers who want to get to grips with the subject? Benjamin Bahr, a quantum-gravity theorist at the University of Hamburg, and experimental particle-physicist Boris Lemmer from the University of Göttingen have hit upon the idea of using cartoons. The pair teamed up with Canadian cartoonist Rina Piccolo to create this series of 76 mini-essays about a range of topics in physics, each illustrated with one large cartoon and several smaller drawings.

The focus in Quirky Quarks: a Cartoon Guide to the Fascinating Realm of Physics is squarely on cosmology, quantum physics and particle physics, with wormholes, tachyons, extra dimensions and other far-out material collected in a chapter dubbed “beyond the boundaries of our knowledge”. The entries are authoritative and clearly written – if a little over-eager – with the cartoons providing a welcome light relief. Disappointingly, though, there is very little on “everyday” physics. Casual readers may also be deterred by the relatively steep price, which is at odds with the book’s “fun” approach.

• Springer £22.50/$39.99pb 319pp