Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!
Are you ready to soar into space?
Get ready for take off!
Title: Dancing Through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars To New Heights
Written By: Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated By: Sawyer Cloud
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co, April 4, 2024, nonfiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: science, dance, perseverance, determination
text copyright Lydia Lukidis 2024, illustration copyright Sawyer Cloud 2024, Albert Whitman
Opening:
“Mae’s curiosity was as wide as the sky.
She spent her days questioning, exploring, learning.
She absolutely loved…
SCIENCE!
Mae could not sit still.
She spent her days jumping, flipping, rolling.
SHe absolutely loved…
DANCE!”
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “The true story of Dr. Mae Jemison, whose lifelong passions of science and dance prepared her to become a trailblazing astronaut.”
text copyright Lydia Lukidis 2024, illustration copyright Sawyer Cloud 2024, Albert Whitman
Links To Resources: back matter includes an author’s note about her research and personal experience, and a timeline of important events in Mae Jemison’s life and career; Make A Name Rocket and a couple videos from Scholastic
text copyright Lydia Lukidis 2024, illustration copyright Sawyer Cloud 2024, Albert Whitman
Why I Like This Book: This interesting book brings the extraordinary Mae Jemison to life for young readers, showcasing her lifelong love of science and dance side by side on facing pages, and showing how, together, they uniquely prepared her to become an astronaut. It’s an encouraging read, making plain that it’s possible to pursue more than one dream and be successful at both. The text is engaging, informative, and inspirational, and the art is bright and lively. A great choice for anyone interested in science, dance, art, biography, STEM or Black Women’s History.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 And Happy Easter to all who celebrate! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I never knew Mae Jemison was a dancer. It’s interesting to see how STEM really is STEAM, the “A” representing the arts. It looks like an inspirational and beautiful book. Thank you for sharing it!♥️
I didn’t know Mae Jemison was a dancer either, Robin! Learn something new every day 😊
Thanks so much for this great review and interesting book about Mae Jemison. I am in the middle of creating a text set of books about space and I am eager to read this, and learn more about her. Looks like a very special book!
I think you’ll like it, Mona! It’s very interesting, and beautifully done with the parallel themes of dance and science!
I love the link between leaping in dance and floating in space!
Isn’t it great, Robin? Lydia did such a nice job of juxtaposing dance and science!
I love how this new biography showcases both of Jemison’s passions.
I love it, too, Patricia! Not least because until I read Lydia’s book I didn’t know Mae Jemison was a dancer! 😊
What a stirking and informative book. Important for little girls to see how others pursue their dreams. Hoped to post today, but it won’t let me. Don’t understand the new form request.
I agree, Pat! Very inspiring for young girls! Do you want to email me about the form request? I can see it’s working for some people, so I hope it isn’t a glitch in the form!
Thank you!
Love these narrative nonfictions, Susanna…my bookshelves are full of them and I’m always excited to see the new ones just launching. Gorgeous book, Lydia and Sawyer!!!
You’ve got a few of your own, Vivian, that are equally brilliant and shelfworthy! ❤️
Yay, Lydia! I love this book!
Congrats, Lydia. I love the title – and also those opening lines. Can’t wait to read the entire book.
Looking forward to reading this book! I’m sure it will inspire many to pursue their dream”s”! 🩰🔬
This is so cool! Thanks for sharing it with us!