Description
⭐ "Beautifully presented and thoughtfully researched....informational and inspirational."—School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
⭐"Thoughtful....skillful." —Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)
An incredible picture book biography about how the trailblazing astronomer found her people—and figured out what stars are made of.
Cecilia Payne loved learning to see nature’s wonders, even things other people called impossible. While studying at Cambridge, she dreamed of becoming a great astronomer like the ones she read about in the library. But too many people thought women didn’t belong among stars or atoms.
So, Cecilia packed her bags for Harvard, where she could surround herself with women who also loved astronomy and physics. These “Harvard Computers” shared their treasures with her—thousands of photographs of starlight. Cecilia found a way to read the patterns in these photos and started asking big questions. Could these photos show her what stars are made of? What if they showed Cecilia something all the great astronomers called impossible?
With stellar gouache and watercolor art and thrilling scientific details, this biography is a loving tribute to the joy of curiosity, the value of community, and the struggle to find confidence in your own voice. Extensive back matter helps readers learn through an author’s note, timelines of Cecilia’s life and of discoveries that led to hers, a list of Cecilia’s honors and awards, and resources for further reading.
Review Quotes
"Young readers will appreciate the depth of the narrative, especially because the complex science it includes is delivered in an approachable way that will inspire further reflection. Wonder-filled illustrations transport readers into the pivotal moments of Payne’s life...Beautifully presented and thoughtfully researched, this biography of an important woman of science is informational and inspirational."
—School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
"Even-handed...Alary’s thoughtful narration illuminates both the scientific and social aspects of Payne’s life story, while Imamura’s skillful gouache and watercolor paintings are equally at ease depicting the figural and the celestial, resulting in both comfortable domestic scenes and glorious starry displays."
—Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)
“Inspiring...atmospheric (and sometimes beautifully surreal)...a stellar salute to the feminist scientist who showed us what stars are truly made of.”
—Kirkus Reviews
"A very readable, intriguing story."
—Booklist
Biographical note
Laura Alary has written over a dozen books for children, including The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can), Here (Paraclete), What Grew in Larry’s Garden (Kids Can), and All the Faces of Me (Owlkids). She hopes that Cecilia’s story inspires children to follow their curiosity and find confidence in their own unique voices. Laura lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her website at lauraalary.ca.
Yas Imamura is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Love in the Library (Candlewick), Can You Imagine? (Atheneum), Winged Wonders (Sleeping Bear), and The Bicycle (Balzer + Bray). She frequently works with gouache and watercolor, and she is often drawn to playful and slightly offbeat projects. Yas lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Follow her on Instagram @yas.illustration.
