Imagine the Possibilities

I spent time this weekend reading and reviewing lots of new picture books. This one is definitely a favorite.

Title: Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou

Author: Bethany Hegedus

Illustrator: Tonya Engel

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Rise! is a remarkable book about a remarkable woman, Maya Angelou. Bethany Hegedus’s lyrical language written as poetry flies off the page, creating perfect images that take us from knowing Maya as a young child to her roles as performer, writer, mother, and activist. The complications and dark times of Maya’s life are treated respectfully and serve to help us understand how much she had to overcome. The exquisite craft of the writing coupled with the illustrations of words swirling across many pages of the book are a celebration of language in itself. They remind us of the important role words played in Maya’s life: “…the twisting, turning/conga line of language/that pulses across the page.”

The book opens with a touching tribute from Maya Angelou’s grandson and concludes with an author’s note, a timeline, additional resources, and photographs.

This is a book that will touch your heart and soul and be a reminder that Maya Angelou’s words “…will always rise/rise/rise.”

Title: Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer

Author: Laura Gehl

Illustrators: Louise Pigott and Alex Oxton

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Publication Date: October 1, 2019

Summary: This picture book biography tells the story of Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer whose work led to the creation of the International Ultaviolet Explorer Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope and important space discoveries. From Amazon: “A testament to women in scientific careers and a record of an important NASA milestone.”

Always Looking Up had me hooked from the opening lines:

“Young Nancy Grace loved to look up at the endless night sky. She gazed at tiny blue-white stars glittering in inky blackness.”

By creating contrasts (small Nancy/vast sky, blue-white stars/inky blackness) Laura Gehl sets the stage for a book that makes the wonder of the universe more tangible to a child.  Laura skillfully uses words and comparisons familiar to a child. For example, she describes Hubble as “as big as a bus, as heavy as two elephants,” and “like a falling meteorite,” and “as fiery as a supernova.” Young readers will relate to Nancy Grace Roman’s curiosity, wonder, and determination to overcome poor eyesight and discouragement from those who thought women should not follow scientific pursuits. Nancy Grace achieves her goal of becoming an astronomer, but as Laura points out, “…this was only the beginning.” Nancy Grace’s vast accomplishments, like the universe, are far-reaching and significant to everyone.

The universe is celebrated in the illustrations on almost every page, along with scientific and mathematical symbols. These depictions enhance the text and allow the reader to watch Nancy, as well as her curiosity and accomplishments, grow. Also included are actual photographs from Hubble.

The timeline and author’s note provide additional important information. Included are inspiring and encouraging words of advice from Nancy Grace to young readers. What a gift!

Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer hits the book shelves in October, 2019. It is available now for preorder.