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Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer
This empowering picture book biography tells the story of Nancy Grace Roman, the astronomer who overcame obstacles like weak eyesight and teachers who discouraged women from pursuing astronomy to lead the NASA team that built the Hubble Space Telescope. A testament to women in scientific careers and a record of an important NASA milestone.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 11, 2021
Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer is a children's picture book written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Louise Pigott and Alex Oxton. This biography for children tells the story of the astronomer who spearheaded the Hubble Space Telescope project.
Nancy Grace Roman was a noted American astronomer who made important contributions to stellar classification and motions, and became the first female executive at NASA, and served as NASA's first Chief of Astronomy throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing her as one of the visionary founders of the US civilian space program.
Gehl's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Gehl explains the facts of Roman’s life in a compelling manner. Backmatter includes an author’s note about Roman and a timeline of her life are included. The very appealing, nicely detailed images by Pigott and debut illustrator Oxton capture Roman’s character, as well as the magic of the night sky.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. When Nancy Grace Roman was young, she loved the night sky, which was always the same, no matter where her father’s job took the family. She formed a school astronomy club and learned more about constellations, meteors, and planets. In high school, she asked questions her physics teacher could not answer and took an extra algebra class.
Roman's college professors tried to discourage her, as a woman, from studying science and math, but she excelled in her studies, continuing on to graduate school and becoming an astronomer. She observed stars, worked with radio telescopes, and gave astronomy lectures. Roman then joined the newly created NASA in 1959 as the first chief of astronomy, eventually becoming director of the Astronomical Data Center.
Realizing that astronomers needed a telescope in space that wouldn’t be blocked by our atmosphere, Roman led a team of scientists on the Hubble Space Telescope project, testifying successfully before Congress on the need for funding. The Hubble, when finally built, gave crystal-clear images of astronomical objects, earning Roman a nickname: the "Mother of Hubble."
All in all, Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer is an inspiring book about an influential scientist and the allure of the stars.
Nancy Grace Roman was a noted American astronomer who made important contributions to stellar classification and motions, and became the first female executive at NASA, and served as NASA's first Chief of Astronomy throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing her as one of the visionary founders of the US civilian space program.
Gehl's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Gehl explains the facts of Roman’s life in a compelling manner. Backmatter includes an author’s note about Roman and a timeline of her life are included. The very appealing, nicely detailed images by Pigott and debut illustrator Oxton capture Roman’s character, as well as the magic of the night sky.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. When Nancy Grace Roman was young, she loved the night sky, which was always the same, no matter where her father’s job took the family. She formed a school astronomy club and learned more about constellations, meteors, and planets. In high school, she asked questions her physics teacher could not answer and took an extra algebra class.
Roman's college professors tried to discourage her, as a woman, from studying science and math, but she excelled in her studies, continuing on to graduate school and becoming an astronomer. She observed stars, worked with radio telescopes, and gave astronomy lectures. Roman then joined the newly created NASA in 1959 as the first chief of astronomy, eventually becoming director of the Astronomical Data Center.
Realizing that astronomers needed a telescope in space that wouldn’t be blocked by our atmosphere, Roman led a team of scientists on the Hubble Space Telescope project, testifying successfully before Congress on the need for funding. The Hubble, when finally built, gave crystal-clear images of astronomical objects, earning Roman a nickname: the "Mother of Hubble."
All in all, Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer is an inspiring book about an influential scientist and the allure of the stars.
September 2, 2019
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC for #bookexcursion to review. A great nonfiction girl power book that reminds girls to go for what they believe in regardless of what the crowd says.
March 7, 2023
Maybe I’m just dumb but I genuinely didn’t know that the Hubble Telescope was not on earth. And I learned that an amazing woman was behind it! Would love to use this in a lesson and pair it with Hubble photos and how they’ve improved since 1990.
October 3, 2019
I felt so lucky to get to review this book by one of my favorite picture book authors, Laura Gehl. If you haven’t read My Pillow Keeps Moving or I Got A Chicken For My Birthday you will certainly want to pick up a copy.
I’m going to have to admit that distance to the stars, reaching the moon, creating the space station, and much more all seem like science fiction to me. My lack of knowledge in this field makes it difficult for me to comprehend the vastness of space and people’s dreams to explore it. With that being said, this book on Nancy Grace Roman could possibly be in the wrong hands. However, I will readily admit that the text and illustrations caught my attention immediately. My heart didn’t race and I didn’t search for my solar eclipse glasses.
The beautiful book, starting with the cover, captured my curiosity. Who was Nancy Grace Roman? I learned that from an early age she loved space and everything related to it. She overcame weak eyesight and pushed past those who discouraged her from entering the male-dominated field of science and astronomy.
Undeterred the young girl followed her dream and eventually went on to graduate school, always learning and searching for new information and answers to the universe’s many questions. As she grew in prominence Nancy Grace jumped at the opportunity to be the chief of astronomy at NASA. In time, she became known as the “Mother of Hubble,” referring to the Hubble Telescope.
The back matter of this delightful book includes more biographical information about Nancy Grace in the way of an Author’s Note and a timeline of space events.
My thanks to Laura Gehl and Albert Whitman for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The thoughts and opinions offered are not in any way altered by receiving the review copy.
My Concerns:
Absolutely no concerns.
What I Liked Best:
As I mentioned earlier, the text and illustrations flow together to make this book a work of art.
Elementary teachers, librarians, and parents, this is a STEM book you will certainly want to consider adding to your library.
And folks, this book passed the test of pleasing, no, very much pleasing a reader who shies away from the big unknown universe. My thoughts: “Try it! You’ll like it!”
more reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
I’m going to have to admit that distance to the stars, reaching the moon, creating the space station, and much more all seem like science fiction to me. My lack of knowledge in this field makes it difficult for me to comprehend the vastness of space and people’s dreams to explore it. With that being said, this book on Nancy Grace Roman could possibly be in the wrong hands. However, I will readily admit that the text and illustrations caught my attention immediately. My heart didn’t race and I didn’t search for my solar eclipse glasses.
The beautiful book, starting with the cover, captured my curiosity. Who was Nancy Grace Roman? I learned that from an early age she loved space and everything related to it. She overcame weak eyesight and pushed past those who discouraged her from entering the male-dominated field of science and astronomy.
Undeterred the young girl followed her dream and eventually went on to graduate school, always learning and searching for new information and answers to the universe’s many questions. As she grew in prominence Nancy Grace jumped at the opportunity to be the chief of astronomy at NASA. In time, she became known as the “Mother of Hubble,” referring to the Hubble Telescope.
The back matter of this delightful book includes more biographical information about Nancy Grace in the way of an Author’s Note and a timeline of space events.
My thanks to Laura Gehl and Albert Whitman for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The thoughts and opinions offered are not in any way altered by receiving the review copy.
My Concerns:
Absolutely no concerns.
What I Liked Best:
As I mentioned earlier, the text and illustrations flow together to make this book a work of art.
Elementary teachers, librarians, and parents, this is a STEM book you will certainly want to consider adding to your library.
And folks, this book passed the test of pleasing, no, very much pleasing a reader who shies away from the big unknown universe. My thoughts: “Try it! You’ll like it!”
more reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
July 15, 2020
Nancy Grace wanted nothing more than to study astronomy; even when her peers thought otherwise. She was persistent in studying space at a time when only men were considered scientists. With perseverance and knowledge, she became a chief of astronomy at NASA and led a group of scientists to build the Hubble Space Telescope. Her accomplishments earned her the title “Mother of Hubble” and her desire to educate young people about space exploration continued through her old age. Read and enjoy the story, Always Looking Up by Laura Gehl and find out how a woman scientist had an asteroid named after her.
Opinion:
Always Looking Up by Laura Gehl is a picture-perfect introduction to Nancy Grace Roman, a renowned astronomer. It is the story of Nancy Grace’s life from childhood through adulthood, and Gehl is dynamic in describing how a young girl who is impassioned with the universe can make all the difference in the world.
Opinion:
Always Looking Up by Laura Gehl is a picture-perfect introduction to Nancy Grace Roman, a renowned astronomer. It is the story of Nancy Grace’s life from childhood through adulthood, and Gehl is dynamic in describing how a young girl who is impassioned with the universe can make all the difference in the world.
August 21, 2019
Thank you to Albert Whitman and Company for providing #collabookation a copy of Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Louise Pigott and Alex Oxton. This is a beautiful narrative nonfiction picture book about Nancy Grace, “Mother of Hubble” and her journey to becoming an astronomer in a world where women didn’t go into fields of science. Through Nancy’s perseverance, and love of stars, and all things having to do with astronomy, she created the Hubble Space Telescope, forever changing how the world sees planets, stars, and black holes. Be sure to read the back matter of this wonderful story. The back matter includes more biographical information about Nancy Grace, as well as a great timeline of space events that have taken place. Great for anyone who loves space or biographies!
August 21, 2019
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an ARC with our #bookexpedition group!
This amazing narrative nonfiction picture book shares the biography of astronomer Nancy Grace Roman through beautiful words and stunning illustrations. Nancy Grace overcame obstacles such as poor eyesight and adults in her life that told her that studying science “wasn’t ladylike” to become a pioneer in the field of astronomy, eventually being part of the team that designed the Hubble Telescope. Excellent back matter, including a timeline of that includes information on Nancy Grace’s life as well as important events in space history.
With the theme of perseverance, this is a picture book preorder. Publishes 10/1/19.
This amazing narrative nonfiction picture book shares the biography of astronomer Nancy Grace Roman through beautiful words and stunning illustrations. Nancy Grace overcame obstacles such as poor eyesight and adults in her life that told her that studying science “wasn’t ladylike” to become a pioneer in the field of astronomy, eventually being part of the team that designed the Hubble Telescope. Excellent back matter, including a timeline of that includes information on Nancy Grace’s life as well as important events in space history.
With the theme of perseverance, this is a picture book preorder. Publishes 10/1/19.
October 3, 2019
Young readers will relate to Nancy Grace Roman’s curiosity, wonder, and determination to overcome poor eyesight and discouragement from those who thought women should not follow scientific pursuits. Nancy Grace achieves her goal of becoming an astronomer, but as the author, Laura Gehl, points out, “…this was only the beginning.” Nancy Grace’s vast accomplishments, like the universe, are far-reaching and significant to everyone.
March 1, 2020
The intriguing, kid-relatable text and stunning art in ALWAYS LOOKING UP will inspire and empower young readers. This much-needed STEM picture book biography about a remarkable woman is perfect for classrooms, libraries, and home libraries. I appreciate books that lead to conversation and action. My daughter asked questions and wanted to use our telescope when we finished reading about astronomer Nancy Grace Roman.
January 27, 2021
This non-fiction biography of Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer best known for her work to make the Hubble Space Telescope a reality, is very interesting! I didn't know anything about Nancy nor what went behind the decision to build the Hubble Space telescope, so I learned something new while reading this book. The illustrations are great and the book reminds children that it's ok to pursue your dreams, even if some people try to discourage you along the way.
April 14, 2021
Nancy Grace is a pioneer in the world of astronomy, and until now (for me), an unknown figure. Having heard this book referenced during one of my many Reader's Advisory webinars, this book is a treat with beautiful images and a stellar story of one woman's journey against the odds. Overcoming poor eyesight, and a lack of support to explore, Nancy persevered to become the 'Mother of the Hubble Telescope'.
May 22, 2022
An empowering biography of Nancy Grace Roman who never gave up in her pursuit of a career in astronomy, despite sexism, eyesight struggles, and cost among others. A great book for those interested in outer space or for Women's History Month. I had no idea a woman was one of the main people behind the Hubble Space Telescope.
February 26, 2020
Nancy Grace was someone we've never heard of until reading this book. It was a wonderful story about such an inspiring women! It piqued our curiosity about the inner workings of the Hubble telescope and has us doing further digging into the technology behind it.
June 14, 2024
The illustrations are beautiful, the language simple and direct, no rhymes. The biography of Nancy Roman is interesting, but the author's repetitive emphasis on how Nancy was told math or astronomy were more for men, becomes tiresome. A single mention would have been enough.
November 15, 2019
Beautiful story of persistence and discovery.
December 22, 2020
So interesting! I didn't know anything about Nancy Grace Roman before reading this book, and this book taught me so much. What an incredible person she was!
January 12, 2021
Really enjoyed learning about Nancy Grace the astronomer!
March 16, 2021
Good for the space and science lover.
September 19, 2021
Good to hear the story of the Mother of the Hubble telescope.
May 13, 2024
Great book to use while teaching!
August 13, 2025
Wonderful picture biography of astronomer Nancy Grace Roman and a great way to introduce the Hubble telescope to your kids.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews