Written by Jodie Parachini
Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu
Expected publication: April 2021
Review
Listening to the Stars is a brief picture book biography of the scientist who discovered pulsars. It is ideal for an early grade/preschool audience. Almost-6YO T chose it as a bedtime story last night; it kept him interested, was a fitting length, and had pictures that were calming to look at (I'm contrasting this with our usual fare of Last Kids on Earth, where post-apocalyptic action hero Jack Sullivan battles monsters and zombies).
Readers will learn about Bell Burnell's pursuit of an academic (not domestic) education, her path into astronomy, and her discovery of pulsars. Readers will learn the basics of what pulsars are and how she found them using radio satellite. I was infuriated to learn that she was denied the Nobel Prize, but awed to see how many barriers she broke, both as a woman and as a scientist. I would have liked more details about her life; Listening to the Stars covers major events.
Listening to the Stars fits well into either a space theme or a women's history theme. We selected it as part
of our star-themed week, alongside other space selections like Cat's Guide to the Night Sky and Mission to Space. As we read, however, similarities between Bell Burnell, Switzer, Warren, and Bader Ginsburg jumped out at us. If you're looking for a women in science book for young ones, this is a solid foundation.
Other books about notable women:
Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu
Expected publication: April 2021
Review
Listening to the Stars is a brief picture book biography of the scientist who discovered pulsars. It is ideal for an early grade/preschool audience. Almost-6YO T chose it as a bedtime story last night; it kept him interested, was a fitting length, and had pictures that were calming to look at (I'm contrasting this with our usual fare of Last Kids on Earth, where post-apocalyptic action hero Jack Sullivan battles monsters and zombies).
Readers will learn about Bell Burnell's pursuit of an academic (not domestic) education, her path into astronomy, and her discovery of pulsars. Readers will learn the basics of what pulsars are and how she found them using radio satellite. I was infuriated to learn that she was denied the Nobel Prize, but awed to see how many barriers she broke, both as a woman and as a scientist. I would have liked more details about her life; Listening to the Stars covers major events.
Listening to the Stars fits well into either a space theme or a women's history theme. We selected it as part
 |
| exploring the universe |
of our star-themed week, alongside other space selections like Cat's Guide to the Night Sky and Mission to Space. As we read, however, similarities between Bell Burnell, Switzer, Warren, and Bader Ginsburg jumped out at us. If you're looking for a women in science book for young ones, this is a solid foundation.
Other books about notable women:
Kathrine Switzer – Her Fearless Run
Elizabeth Warren – Nevertheless, She Persisted
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – I Dissent
Note: A review copy was provided by the publisher for our consideration and honest review.
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