A funny, inspirational story encouraging everyone to put down their phones and reach for the stars.
Nathan Bryon (Author)
Nathan Bryon is an award-winning writer and actor who has written
for BAFTA award-winning children's TV shows, such as Swashbuckle
and Apple Tree House and critically-acclaimed Rastamouse. A rising
star in the world of screenwriting, his animated series, Afro Kid,
is currently under option. Look Up! is his debut picture book for
children.
Dapo Adeola (Illustrator)
Dapo Adeola is an illustrator and character designer who creates
characters and images that challenge gender norms in a fun and
upbeat way. He runs illustration and character design workshops in
and out of schools, to help highlight the possibilities of a career
in illustration to inner-city children.
Look Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola features science-crazed
chatterbox Rocket, who is determined to get her whole town out
watching a meteor shower - to the annoyance of her big brother, who
would rather stay glued to his phone. Energetic and with a wry,
sweet take on family dynamics, it will alert readers to the
mysteries of the night skies.
*The Guardian*
Rocket wants to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher and
space-traveller who has ever lived, just like Mae Jemison, the
first African-American woman in space.
She's so excited about seeing a meteor shower that she makes an
announcement over the supermarket loudspeaker when the cashier
isn't looking, and hands out flyers to her fellow shoppers, much to
her older brother Jamal's disdain - after all, Jamal prefers to be
looking down at his phone most of the time and not up at the stars.
And when Jamal gets too into his gaming to take Rocket to the park
to watch the meteor shower, what will she do? Fortunately a knock
at the door provides a joyous solution...
Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola's charming picture book gifts us with
a gorgeous character in Rocket, a girl whose passion for all things
space is as inspiring to the reader as her heroine Mae Jemison is
to her. Adeola has a real talent for portraying expression, from
teen Jamal's sulks to Rocket's jubilation at watching the
stars.
Sprinkled with facts about meteors and space, this charming picture
book is also a lovely representation of family, sibling
relationships and one girl's infectious enthusiasm.
*Booktrust*
Young Rocket, an admirer of astronaut Mae Jemison, never stops
telling others to "Look up!" Named for a rocket that blasted into
space on the day she was born, Rocket is preparing herself to be
the "greatest astronaut, star catcher, space walker who has ever
lived." She sets up her telescope each night to wish on a star, her
everyday clothing choice is an astronaut suit, star earrings are
her favorites, and she has lots of information for those around
her, especially concerning the Phoenix meteor shower to be visible
that night. Her first-person commentary describes her family, her
passion for space, and informs anyone who will listen about the
Earth's travel through a comet's trail of dust. A multiethnic cast
of characters with expressive cartoon faces fill this brightly
colorful book with strong contrasts between indoor and outdoor
images, variation of fonts, and speech or thought bubbles. All
leads to the night sky event, when a frustrating sky search for the
meteor awakens self-absorbed brother Jamal who finally turns off
his phone to "Look up!" and give a bit of encouragement to his
younger sister. VERDICT Ideal for space or science-inclined
readers, this book includes brief information about outstanding
scientist Jemison and a short list of facts about meteors and
comets enclosed in an embrace of family relationships and a child's
joy in the world around her. A suggested first purchase for all
libraries.
*School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW*
Rocket is on a mission...to get her angst-y teen brother to put
down his cellphone and look up. An aspiring astronaut, Rocket makes
it a point to set up her telescope and gaze at the stars every
night before bedtime. Inspired by Mae Jemison, Rocket, a supercute
black girl with braids and a coiffed Afro, hopes to be "the
greatest astronaut, star catcher, and space walker who has ever
lived." As the night of the Phoenix meteor shower approaches,
Rocket makes fliers inviting everyone in her neighborhood to see
the cosmic event at the park. Over the course of her preparations,
she shares information about space-shuttle missions, what causes a
meteor shower, and when is the best time to see one. Jamal,
Rocket's insufferable older brother, who sports a high-top fade and
a hoodie, is completely engrossed in his phone, even as just about
everybody in the neighborhood turns up. The bright, digital
illustrations are an exuberant celebration of both space and black
culture that will simultaneously inspire and ground readers. That
the main characters are unapologetically black is made plain
through myriad details. Rocket's mother is depicted cornrowing her
daughter's hair with a wide-toothed comb and hair oil. Gap-toothed
Rocket, meanwhile, makes her enthusiasm for space clear in the
orange jumpsuit both she and her cat wear-and even Jamal's excited
by the end. Outstanding-a breath of fresh air, just like Rocket
herself.
*Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW*
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