Skybound!: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist

by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator)

In this STEAM picture book, take to the skies with Mary Myers, aka “Carlotta,” an aeronaut and inventor whose careful scientific work improved hot air balloons and our understanding of flight, weather patterns, and the atmosphere.

In the 1850s, proper young ladies were supposed to keep their feet on the ground (literally and metaphorically), but Mary dreamed of flying. Luckily, she married Carl Myers, a hot air balloon enthusiast whose dreams were just as lofty as hers. Together, they designed and constructed balloons of all shapes and sizes, a difficult and dangerous job that required knowledge of chemistry, engineering, and meteorology. But how could they know which balloon designs worked best? They needed someone adventurous who could do balloon tricks for crowds while recording flight data. Mary knew just the person . . . herself! She gave herself the stage name Carlotta and anxiously awaited her first flight. Would she make it into the air? Could she collect the data they needed? Mary battled thick clouds and bone-chilling cold, but she went higher and farther than she hoped, and returned ready for her next flight.

One of the few women inventors of her time, Mary’s daring flights and careful scientific work improved hot air balloons and our understanding of flight, weather patterns, and the atmosphere.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Stem, Science, Biography Memoir

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not many girls born in 1850 were able to become scientists, but Mary Breed Hawley was fortunate enough meet and marry Carl Meyer, who shared her passion for engineering, science, and invention. He had an extensive library, and Mary studied aeronautics and meteoraolgy through his books. She even invented a better fabric for balloons, and helped make them. The couple hired an aeronaut to fly their newfangled vehicle, but when they needed someone to take scientific measurements as well as fly the balloon, Mary stepped in and volunteered. Choosing the stage name Carlotta, she traveled up in the balloon at various exhibitions and brought back data on the weather components of her journey. There were some close calls, but she continued her flights for a number of years. When she retired, she and Carl started a balloon manufacturing business, the Balloon Farm, in Frankfort, New York.

Encouraging STEM studies in young girls is so important, and Mary's devotion to studying despite the strictures of her time are an inspiration. I loved that she wasn't just a daredevil, but wanted to make scientific contributions as well. She even managed to get a patent for her invention that helped her steer the balloon at a time when few women were listed as inventors.

Bruno's illustrations capture the feel of the late 1800s well, with ornate fonts included in the text and great detail in the clothing and settings. The palette is heavy on brown and blue with touches of red, perhaps drawing from the one vintage postcard of the Balloon Farm. The outfits in particular are well researched, but there is plenty of scientific detail in the balloons as well as some of the instruments used in collecting data.

In addition to Mary's story, there is an informative section at the end with more details about the Myers' foray into balloons, complete with a timeline and bibliography. This would make a great additions to alouds that show that the sky wasn't a limit for women at all like Borden and Kroeger's Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman, Bass and Williams' Me and the Sky: Captain Beverley Bass, Pioneering Pilot, Engle and Palacios' The Flying Girl: How Aida de Acosta Learned to Soar, Lang and Colón's Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine, and Smith and Tavares' Lighter than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have reached the point where I am tired of hearing about how unique and unusual women were in history for pursuing scientific, educational, or political knowledge or professions. First of all, was it really unusual: were these women truly unique in their interests and abilities? Or were they unique in their opportunities? Second of all, were there NO other women? Or just no other women we have heard of? It puts me in mind of Born to Fly, which covers women's aviation. For so long the narrative was that Amelia Earhart was SO special, SO unusual. But that book is absolutely full of other women who were also interested in and proficient at flying airplanes.

So were there really no other women balloonists? This blog references a number of other women, and never mentions Myers. In the end, I am forced to conclude that our study of history is still woefully incomplete and that over the course of many years, the overt focus on male achievements and the exclusion of females contributes to a kind of perpetual affirmative action for men.

Anyway, this book is beautifully illustrated and enthusiastically describes Mary Myers' life. It's a welcome addition to history, but my frustration remains, despite all of its charms.

Another book that jumped into my hands from Betsy Bird's Knitting Booklist, and absolutely stellar source of fun books to read.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Mary Hawley Myers has to this point largely been overlooked. This delightful biography brings her daredevil spirit to life for young readers. Mary is fascinating with the idea of flying from a young age. After her marriage to Carl Myers, instead of settling down with a family, she settles down in his library, studying aeronautics. Eventually Carl and Mary invent and patent balloons which Mary soon pilots as "Carlotta" and has many dangerous adventures all in the name of science. The illustrations call to mind the times of the late nineteenth century and Carlotta's depictions in the blus of the sky characterize her as an aerial element.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting informational book about an early adventurer -- a woman who dreamed of flying, rather than be a homemaker. During the craze of hot air balloons in the 1850s, May Hawley thought she finally had her chance to fly. After meeting and falling in love with scientist and fellow ballooning enthusiast Carl Myers, the pair began to build their own balloons. Eventually, Mary was given the chance to fly -- as the mysterious Carlotta.
Informative in the best way, with illustrations that match the tone of the book nicely. Interesting reading for sure.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skybound, a nonfiction picture book biography by Sue Ganz-Schmitt with illustrations by Iacopo Bruno, highlights Carlotta, aka Mary Myers, whose determination, imagination, and smarts took her to new heights as an inventor and aeronaut in 19th-century New York. What a trailblazer! The art is terrific with great attention to detail of that era. And Ganz-Schmitt's prose keep up the tension to see if Carlotta will ever make it off the ground in her hot air balloon. If you know a child looking for inspiring women to read about, I recommend reading this book.

[Kelly Sullivan Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skybound isn't just for kids--but for the dreamer in all of us. Mary Myers (aka Carlota) had a dream--and against all odds, made it come true--and this was before the days of cell phones!
Every time I hit anything resembling a ceiling, I'm going to think of Carlota and her daring (real-life) balloon-riding self to lift me higher!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent picture book biography of pioneer balloonist Mary Myers, her scientific experiments and her efforts to push the boundaries that hemmed in and ground down women.

Illustrations are terrific as is the text and the Back matter is outstanding.

A perfect book for STEM and biography units.

[K.W. Penndorf Much Ado About Writing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this telling of Mary’s life. I even quoted from it for an article in Children’s Book Insider Magazine. I also appreciated the use of bolded text - how those words played into the world of aeronautics.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome nonfiction biography about Mary Myers, who dreamed of flying. Gorgeous illustrations and extensive notes and resources make this a great addition to the bookshelf.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are so beautiful, and the story was interesting.
(last book of 2024)

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary wasn't content to keep her feet on the ground.