What Miss Mitchell Saw
Author:
Hayley Barratt
Illustrator:
Diana Sudyka
Published by:
Beach Lane Books
First Published:
19 Sept 2019
Ideal for readers aged
6-9y
My Review
Such a gorgeously illustrated book - with soft colours and beautiful starscapes galore! - and one that really captures the wonder of star gazing, while telling the inspiring story of Maria Mitchell, brought up in 19th century Nantucket, who learnt astronomy from her father and went on to become America's first female astronomer. The book focuses on her diligence and ability to be steadfast and reliable - not glamourous traits, but I love how the story shows that her faithfulness won her her dreams in the end, as well as international recognition.
Heads Up!
This is a book highlighting the way that Maria defied cultural expectations - she was brought up in the early 1800s, so, of course, the book shows her sweeping and doing jobs around the house as well as spending time with her father observing the stars.
Some oddly antiquated language in the speech captions ('Thee' used when I think in British equivalence it would be 'Thou' in some places.....) might need explaining to children!