An inspiring story about a little girl, Rocket, who has her eyes on the stars and her heart set on becoming an astronaut. Rocket is trying to get everyone to look up and watch the approaching comet appearance. Problem is – everyone is looking down at their phones and has forgotten to look around them.  

Her toughest audience is her brother, Jamal, who is either on his phone or playing video games. (sound familiar?)  In fact everyone in her neighbourhood seems oblivious to the magic of the natural world. 

But Rocket’s enthusiasm and persistence pay off when her family and neighbours gather to witness the once-in-a-lifetime sighting.

Inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African-American female astronaut and the first African-American woman in space. Fun fact: Mae was inspired by African American actress Nichelle Nichols who played Lieutenant Uhura on the Star Trek television show! Perfect example of life imitating art.

Look Up! is a great match for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist and Cece Loves Science – this book will inspire readers of all ages to dream big and look up! The colourful illustrations capture the imagination, bringing the story alive. We especially love Rocket’s sidekick cat in her own space outfit!

Two more books in the Rocket range are: Rocket Says Clean Up! and Rocket says Speak Up!

  
Meet the Illustrator
Dapo Adoela is the star illustrator of the current picture on our home page, which was commissioned for Penguin’s 85th anniversary to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust. Look Up! won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2020. 
Adoela’s own author debut was in 2021 with the picture book Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black, featuring 18 talented Black British illustrators, which also went on to win Illustrated book of the year at The British Book Awards in 2022. He also illustrated We’re Going to Find a Monster by Malorie Blackman, and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear and My Mum Is a Lioness written by award-winning author Swapna Haddow.

Born in Britain and of Nigerian heritage, Adoela is an avid believer in the importance of equal representation in the creative arts. He is also passionate about making picture books accessible to partially sighted or blind children. 

Find out more about his work here.

 

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