Book

Look Up!

by Nathan Bryon

📖 Overview

Look Up! follows Rocket, a space-obsessed young girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Her passion for astronomy and science drives her daily activities and imagination. With a meteor shower approaching, Rocket works to share her excitement about this celestial event with her family and community. Her brother Jamal, absorbed in his phone screen, presents a particular challenge to her mission. This picture book showcases the wonder of scientific discovery through a child's perspective, celebrating curiosity and the natural world. The story speaks to themes of family connection, pursuing passions, and finding balance between technology and real-world experiences.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe Look Up! as an engaging picture book that encourages children to explore the world around them rather than focusing on screens. Parents appreciate how it addresses screen time without being preachy. What readers liked: - Diverse representation in characters - Clear message about balancing technology use - Rocket's enthusiasm for science and space - Illustrations that capture movement and energy - Good conversation starter about phone use What readers disliked: - Some found the story predictable - A few mentioned the text was too long for very young children - Limited appeal for children over age 7 Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (900+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Perfect for teaching kids about being present in the moment while incorporating STEM themes."

📚 Similar books

Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser A young space enthusiast learns to solve problems when his model solar system project goes wrong before the school science fair.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed The story of Mae Jemison shows how a young girl's passion for astronomy leads her to become the first African American woman in space.

Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker The biography of Katherine Johnson reveals how her love of numbers and space science made her calculations essential to NASA's space missions.

The Girl Who Named Pluto by Alice B. McGinty Venetia Burney's real-life story demonstrates how an eleven-year-old girl's interest in science led her to name the planet Pluto.

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet by Curtis Manley Scientists search through space for planets that could support life, similar to how Earth exists in the "just right" zone from the Sun.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Author Nathan Bryon is also an actor who has appeared in British TV shows like "Some Girls" and "Benidorm" 🚀 The book's main character, Rocket, was inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space 🎨 Illustrator Dapo Adeola and Nathan Bryon met through social media and became friends before collaborating on this book 🌠 The story promotes STEM interests for young girls while addressing modern issues like being too focused on phones and screens 📚 "Look Up!" won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020 and was praised for its diverse representation in children's literature