The Sassy Bookworm
Book Review: Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Díaz Merced, Rocío Arreola Mendoza (illustrator). 🌟📚
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I picked up Wanda Hears the Stars with zero expectations beyond a pleasant picture-book read, and I came away quietly amazed. This is the true story of Wanda Díaz Merced, an astrophysicist from Puerto Rico who, as she pursued her love of the night sky, began to lose her sight — and then found a completely new way to “see” the universe. 🌟🎧
The book follows Wanda from childhood curiosity about the stars through college, when her vision started to fail, to her ingenious discovery: sonification. Instead of giving up on data she could no longer view, Wanda and other scientists converted astronomical data into sound — chimes, beats, and rhythms that let her listen for patterns and anomalies. Those sounds became tools for discovery and a way to keep participating fully in scientific work. The narrative also highlights Wanda’s advocacy for making science accessible, and the collaboration between Wanda and coauthor Amy S. Hansen that brought this story to young readers. The refrain of resilience — “Never give up!” — feels earned, not preachy, and the book gently shows how curiosity and determination can reshape a whole field. 🔭🎶💪
What really sells the book, for me, are the illustrations and the design. The cover is instantly charming and inviting — it pulled me in before I even read a word — and the interior art carries that same warmth. The pictures are lively and expressive, giving emotional texture to Wanda’s journey without overwhelming the nonfiction facts. The layout and pacing work well for the 6–9 age range: clear, engaging, and just detailed enough to spark questions. 🎨📚
Reading it, I kept thinking about how important it is to see (or hear) role models like Wanda in kids’ books — a scientist of color who adapts creatively to a disability and makes real contributions to her field. The book doesn’t flatten complexity; it presents scientific ideas in a way children can grasp, while also celebrating persistence and inclusion. 🧑🏽🚀🤝
If you’re looking for a picture-book biography that’s uplifting without being saccharine, that introduces a cool scientific technique, and that offers genuine representation, Wanda Hears the Stars is a fantastic pick. It’s a delightful, inspiring read that I’d happily recommend to families, teachers, and any little STEM-curious person. 🌠📖
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.
Book Review: Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Díaz Merced, Rocío Arreola Mendoza (illustrator). 🌟📚
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I picked up Wanda Hears the Stars with zero expectations beyond a pleasant picture-book read, and I came away quietly amazed. This is the true story of Wanda Díaz Merced, an astrophysicist from Puerto Rico who, as she pursued her love of the night sky, began to lose her sight — and then found a completely new way to “see” the universe. 🌟🎧
The book follows Wanda from childhood curiosity about the stars through college, when her vision started to fail, to her ingenious discovery: sonification. Instead of giving up on data she could no longer view, Wanda and other scientists converted astronomical data into sound — chimes, beats, and rhythms that let her listen for patterns and anomalies. Those sounds became tools for discovery and a way to keep participating fully in scientific work. The narrative also highlights Wanda’s advocacy for making science accessible, and the collaboration between Wanda and coauthor Amy S. Hansen that brought this story to young readers. The refrain of resilience — “Never give up!” — feels earned, not preachy, and the book gently shows how curiosity and determination can reshape a whole field. 🔭🎶💪
What really sells the book, for me, are the illustrations and the design. The cover is instantly charming and inviting — it pulled me in before I even read a word — and the interior art carries that same warmth. The pictures are lively and expressive, giving emotional texture to Wanda’s journey without overwhelming the nonfiction facts. The layout and pacing work well for the 6–9 age range: clear, engaging, and just detailed enough to spark questions. 🎨📚
Reading it, I kept thinking about how important it is to see (or hear) role models like Wanda in kids’ books — a scientist of color who adapts creatively to a disability and makes real contributions to her field. The book doesn’t flatten complexity; it presents scientific ideas in a way children can grasp, while also celebrating persistence and inclusion. 🧑🏽🚀🤝
If you’re looking for a picture-book biography that’s uplifting without being saccharine, that introduces a cool scientific technique, and that offers genuine representation, Wanda Hears the Stars is a fantastic pick. It’s a delightful, inspiring read that I’d happily recommend to families, teachers, and any little STEM-curious person. 🌠📖
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.