Space Adventurer

A full-color picture book biography about Bonnie Dunbar, a young girl who made her dream of going to space a reality through hard work and determination—includes several hands-on science experiments for real-world learning connections.

When Bonnie Dunbar spotted Sputnik traveling across the sky from where she stood on her family’s farm, she knew that’s what she wanted to do when she got older. In Space Adventurer: Bonnie Dunbar, Astronaut, readers ages 5 to 8 learn about the hard work Bonnie tackled throughout her life to make it aboard NASA’s space shuttle Challenger. From planting crops and driving the tractor on her family’s homestead to devouring all the books she possibly could to applying to NASA three times, Bonnie refused to give up! All her hard work and passion for science led her to a job that launched her into the stars as an astronaut.

• In the Picture Book Biography series, children encounter real-life characters who are thrilled to learn and experiment, eager to make a difference, and excited about collaborating with team members.

• Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, a timeline, simple STEM projects, such as drawing a scene from another planet, and a glossary all support foundational learning for kids ages 5 to 8.

• Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book!

About Picture Book Biography books and Nomad Press

Space Adventurer is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Biography series that introduces pioneers of science to young children and makes career connections in different STEM fields. The other titles in this series include Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist; Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer; and Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist.

Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Biography series bring real-world figures to life through fun, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations and quick activities that reinforce foundational learning. Elementary-aged children are encouraged to expand their perceptions of the roles of scientist, artist, explorer, and innovator by meeting women, people of color, and other minorities in the profession. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats..

Andi Diehn is a writer and editor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College. She is the author of the Picture Book Science series, Shakespeare: Investigate the Bard's Influence on Today's World, Technology: Cool Women Who Code, and Explore Poetry!, all from Nomad Press. She lives in Enfield, New Hampshire, with her family.

Katie Mazeika is an illustrator with a focus in children's publishing. She loves creating illustrations with a strong narrative that are filled with color and texture. Her illustrations are primarily done in Photoshop. Katie is a member of the SCBWI.