Comet Chaser
The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, the First Professional Woman Astronomer
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- 11,99 €
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- 11,99 €
Descripción editorial
The real-life Cinderella story of the very first professional woman astronomer—Caroline Herschel!
Comet Chaser is the thrilling and beautifully illustrated biography of a woman who made a lifetime of incredible contributions to science. She was the first woman to discover a comet, the first officially recognized in a scientific role, and the first to be given a Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society.
In a day when girls were barely educated at all, Caroline Herschel's father taught her math and music . . . until, suddenly, he died. Her mother saw her as little more than a household servant. Caroline might have been doomed to a life of drudgery and dimness if not for her brother, who took her from Germany to England. There they started building telescopes in their free time, gradually making them larger and larger, and discovering new comets—even new planets! When the great astronomers of the day wondered how Caroline and her brother accomplished this and came to see for themselves, they found that the Herschels had made the best telescopes of their time.
From household drudge to belle of the scientific ball, Caroline Herschel won international prizes never before awarded to a woman and earned a professional wage from the king. She and her discoveries remain as stunning today as they were then. Some of her calculations are still in use! In this delightfully imaginative retelling of Caroline's career, her fairy godmother is none other than her own bright intelligence, hard work, and passion for science.
WOMEN IN STEM: Passion and persistence save the day and offer a wonderful model for girls seeking their way into science, technology, engineering, and math in this starry biography.
AN EMPOWERING, TRUE CINDERELLA STORY: What a brilliant way of telling the story of an inspirational woman in science—as a true Cinderella story! Caroline must escape a humble life of drudgery, and with the magic of real science, she makes her own fairy-tale ending.
BIOGRAPHY BOOK FOR KIDS: A great addition to classrooms and libraries, with fascinating examples of hands-on engineering, mathematics, and scientific study.
INSPIRATIONAL GIFT: Inspire budding scientists of all kinds with this magical true story!
Perfect for:Kids interested in science, space, or astronomyTeachers and librarians looking for excellent picture book biographies and nonfiction books about scienceGift givers hoping to inspire a love of STEM topicsFans of Hidden Figures, The Fire of Stars, and Ada Twist, Scientist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
German-born female astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) becomes a Cinderella-like heroine in Turner's quotation-filled text, which charts the subject's transformation to acclaimed career scientist. Entering into household drudgery while her brothers were educated, Herschel's early years are overshadowed by a "severe" mother and the death of her astronomy-loving father. Enter big brother William, who offers education and the chance to assist him in his musical and astronomical endeavors in England. Though the pair work together building telescopes and mapping the night sky, Herschel's contributions remain underappreciated until she discovers a comet and is finally recognized with a salary of her own from the king. Mildenberger's smudgy full-bleed paintings lean on shadowy hues for dreamy nighttime vistas in which Herschel shines as a figure of resilience—and brilliance. The creative team compels with this portrayal of empowerment through vocation. An author's note and glossary conclude. Ages 5–8.
