Ada and the Galaxies

by Alan Lightman

Stargazers rejoice! In his first book for children, renowned physicist Alan Lightman and collaborators, with help from the Hubble telescope, light up the night sky.

New York Times best-selling author Alan Lightman, in collaboration with Olga Pastuchiv, brings galaxies close in a stunning picture-book tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world. Layering photographs taken from the Hubble telescope into charming and expressive art, illustrator Susanna Chapman zooms in on one child's experiences: Ada knows that the best place for star-gazing is on the island in Maine where she vacations with her grandparents. By day, she tracks osprey in the trees, paddles a kayak, and hunts for shells. But she's most in her element when the sun goes down and the stars blink to life. Will the fog this year foil her plans, or will her grandfather find a way to shine a spotlight on the vast puzzle of the universe . . . until the weather turns?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Space, Stem, Science, Nature, Astronomy

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Alan Lightman is an American writer, physicist, and social entrepreneur. Born in 1948, he was educated at Princeton and at the California Institute of Technology, where he received a PhD in theoretical physics. He has received five honorary doctoral degrees. Lightman has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. His scientific research in astrophysics has concerned
black holes, relativity theory, radiative processes, and the dynamics of systems of stars. His essays and articles have appeared in the Atlantic, Granta, Harper’s, the New Yorker, the New York Review of Books, Salon, and many other publications. His essays are often chosen by the New York Times as among the best essays of the year. He is the author of 6 novels, several collections of essays, a memoir, and a book-length narrative poem, as well as several books on science. His novel Einstein’s Dreams was an international bestseller and has been the basis for dozens of independent theatrical and musical adaptations around the world. His novel The Diagnosis was a finalist for the National Book Award. His most recent books are The Accidental Universe, which was chosen by Brain Pickings as one of the 10 best books of 2014, his memoir Screening Room, which was chosen by the Washington Post as one of the best books of the year for 2016,
and Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine (2018), an extended meditation on science and religion – which was the basis for an essay
on PBS Newshour. Lightman is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also the founder of the Harpswell Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to advance a new generation of women leaders in Southeast Asia.” He has received the gold medal for humanitarian service from the government of Cambodia.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads]

"Ada loves the stars. But in New York, the city lights make the night sky too bright to see the stars."

Ada cannot help but look up to the sky and wonder about all the brilliant and beautiful things beyond the atmosphere, but she cannot truly see it all unless she's with her grandparents.

Vacationing with her grandma and grandpa means adventuring on the water in a kayak, bird-watching, and collecting various shells and pretty things...but best of all are the skies.

Galaxies and stars and planets and more. All up there, waiting to be seen.

I liked the gentle flow of the story - there wasn't a big, flashy plot but more of a meandering story with a truly beautiful ending.

The illustrations were lovely - and I really appreciated how the artist used real constellations as the starter for her images. It's just a cool bit to know that everything that Ada is discovering is truly out there.

Also, I really enjoyed how Ada's grandparents were so loving and supportive to her and her interests. My grandmother was like that for my interest in baking and cooking, and that truly has made such a difference in my life.

Overall, this was a wonderful story.

[Figgy]

Good story about learning about the stars, with scientifically accurate information. Also a good way to distract a kid who wants to see the stars, but can't because of the fog. Instead of looking up and being disappointed that we can't see them, we can learn more about them, and imagine what else might lie out there in the universe.

Gorgeous illustrations, including the incorporation of actual photos from the hubble telescope.

[books.bintulu]

First book of 2024! Review soon.

Jan 2024: Ada and the Galaxies

Ada loves to see the stars. But in NYC, it is hard to do that because the light is too bright. She takes the opportunity to see the stars when her mum brings her to see her grandparents, Ama and Poobah on an island in Maine.

Ada can't wait for dark to come. Her grandparents bring her to the beach to fill the time. Just when the day gets dark, fogs fill the sky. Ada is upset because the stars are hidden.

Ama and Poobah fill the time to show Ada pictures of the galaxies. Ada asks a lot of questions:

💫What's a galaxy?
💫Do galaxies have people?
💫Do galaxies have seashells

And Poobah patiently listens and answers.

✨✨✨

Such a heartwarming story of grandparents' love for their grandchild. I admire the conversations between the two grandparents and Ada. They are knowledgeable and patiently answer Ada's questions without underestimating her young age.

Children with an interest in astronomy will surely be excited to read this book. Stars, moon, planets and galaxies are night wonders that will make any children curious to know more. Children will also learn about light pollution and tidal phenomena. A good chance to explain to them.

[Vera Godley]

Ada is certainly a precocious little girl, quite lively, inquisitive, and loveable. I love the interaction between Ada and her grandparents who live on an island in Maine. Ada goes to visit them and wants to see and learn about the stars. She can't see stars in the night sky in New York because of all the lights. Maine is different and the opportunity will hopefully present itself.

The book is a product of MIT Press and is the first children's book by MIT Professor Alan Lightman who draws from his personal family background for this book. We are told numbers given in the book are accurate as is the assumption that there are "people" on planets in other galaxies.

I realize this is a story for preschool and early elementary age children, but I truly expected more "star" and "galaxy" in the book. There are pictures taken from the Hubble space telescope camera which brings authenticity to the story.

All-in-all, the book is charming, a delightful read for little ones, a grand multi-generational story, and a bit of science to whet one's interest.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Katie Fitzgerald]

When visiting Ama and Poobah in Maine, Ada falls in love with many aspects of the natural world, but most all of with the stars.

The most prominent feature of the pictures in this book is texture. Susanna Chapman makes it possible to imagine how various pieces of nature - from waves, to nests, to pine needles, to shells - might feel. Photographs taken by the Hubble telescope are also used on a few pages to supplement Poobah's explanation of galaxies, and his and Ada's speculation that there might be life somewhere out in space.

Space is one of my favorite story time themes, and this book is a strong addition to my list of books on that topic. Despite the fact that one of the authors is a PhD in theoretical physics, everything covered in the book is simplified perfectly for the child reader. The dialogue also flows very naturally and is pleasant to read aloud. My story time audience might be a tiny bit young for this one, but if I decide to use it at some point, I'd love to pair it with How to Be on the Moon by Viviane Schwarz.

As a reader who prefers to learn facts through fiction, this book really appeals to me. The story of Ada's visit to her grandparents is a very comfortable vehicle for introducing the math and science associated with understanding galaxies. The straightforward two-page spread of back matter does a great job of contextualizing the story and encouraging readers to explore further. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-done this book is.

I received a finished copy of Ada and the Galaxies from MIT Kids Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Colleen]

This book is more for first and second graders rather than preschoolers. A little girl who lives in the city, Ada, visits her grandparents in Maine and can't wait to see the stars that she can't see at home. The illustrations of the little girl's day on the beach with her grandparents are bright watercolors that beautifully depict a summer day. However the illustrations of the night sky, and of books depicting the night sky use actual photographs from the Hubble telescope to magnificent effect. An author's note provides information about the Hubble telescope, galaxies and astronomers theories about life in other solar systems. We are also told that "The numbers [Grandpa] uses to describe the size and distance of galaxies are scientifically accurate."

[Nessa]

"I want to look at the stars!" Ada says as the fog rolls in after dinner. She is unable to but instead her Poobah grabs a book about galaxies and off they go.

[Lex Armstrong]

Lovely illustrations, but writing is a little repetitive and not in a poetic way. Scientifically accurate ✅

[IvyInThePages]

Rating: 4 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Genre: Children/ Picture book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Lucky Allam]

It is amazing how a story about a girl’s curiosity can turn into an adventure that reaches all the way to the stars. In this book, a girl named Ada visits her grandparents on an island in Maine. She loves space and dreams of seeing the stars, but the sky is too cloudy to see anything at first. As she explores the island with her grandfather, she learns about light, time, and the wonder of the universe. When the sky finally clears, Ada looks up and feels connected to something much bigger than herself. The adventure is quiet and thoughtful, showing that discovery can happen anywhere if you look close enough.

The main genre of this book is adventure. A major theme is curiosity and discovery. Ada’s love of space inspires her to explore the world around her and to imagine what lies beyond. Another important theme is patience. Even though she cannot see the stars right away, she learns that waiting can make a moment even more special. This story helps children see that adventure does not always mean danger or excitement. It can also mean learning, exploring, and feeling wonder. This book was a WOW book for me because it shows how imagination can make the ordinary feel extraordinary.

The authors used several literary devices and writing techniques to make the story meaningful. One example is imagery. The beautiful watercolor illustrations and gentle descriptions make readers feel like they are standing under the night sky with Ada. Another device is symbolism. The stars represent curiosity, hope, and the endless possibilities of the universe. The calm and poetic tone fits perfectly with the story’s message about learning and wonder. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it encourages curiosity and appreciation for science and nature, showing that anyone can be a thinker or explorer. I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches that adventure begins with an open mind and a sense of wonder about the world.

[Jill]

Ada can’t wait until summer so she can leave the big city and go to Maine. Not only are her grandparents there, but she gets to see the stars at night.

She is so impatient for nighttime after she arrives, but her grandpa, called “Poobah,” shows her plenty of treasures during the day, from an osprey’s nest, to shells, moss, and crabs.

Finally it is dark, but a fog has rolled in. Poobah can only show Ada a book full of photographs of stars and galaxies taken by the Hubble telescope, and he explains to her some facts about them. Then the fog clears and Ada can see the sky for herself. Happily, she calls her grandparents to come look at the stars shining and swirling all around them.

Watercolor illustrations by Susanna Chapman are stunning.

In an interview, Lightman, who has a doctorate in theoretical physics, says he wanted to help “rekindle the fresh awe of gazing up at the starry night sky, or holding a spiraling seashell in your hand, or listening to the haunting call of a loon. Also, the feeling of connection to nature. We are all part of something larger than ourselves.”

This is the first book published in a collaboration between a university press, the MIT Press, and a children’s publisher, Candlewick Press. I hope it won’t be the last!

Evaluation: There are two messages in this book: not only one about the many wonders of nature, but also about the rewards of patience. The warm supportive family is a bonus.

[Andrea]

"Ada and the Galaxies" takes young readers on a journey from Earth to the cosmos through the story of a curious girl visiting her grandparents on a Maine island. Chapman's breathtaking illustrations are the star of the show, seamlessly weaving together realistic nature scenes with awe-inspiring astronomical imagery. From tide pools to spiral galaxies, each page is a visual feast that invites readers to pause and explore.

The book's greatest strength is its celebration of multigenerational learning, as Ada and her grandfather share special moments exploring nature together. When clouds prevent their evening stargazing plans, they turn to books to learn about the galaxies, showing young readers that knowledge can be discovered through both direct observation and reading. This dual approach to learning makes the book especially valuable for parents and educators.

While the narrative occasionally feels disconnected between its earthbound and cosmic elements, the gorgeous artwork and educational value make this book a worthwhile read. Recommended for children ages 4-8, but its stunning visuals and astronomical themes will captivate curious minds of all ages who share a sense of wonder about our universe.

[Hannah Wilbiks]

Where to begin but with the incredible front cover! All of our favourite things combined into one incredible image. Our two daughters loved of course that the main character is a curious and lively girl, and we’re so very excited that it is published by ‘mit Kids Press’!
The wonderful fictional story intertwines along with real life nature study, and later on information and education on space and galaxies as well as including actual imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope and scientifically accurate numbers of size and distance which as science and data loving family is a real win!

As Maritimers in Canada here, we love the beach references from nearby Maine; puffins, lobsters – everything so familiar. The painted illustrations are really wonderful –and we especially love the pages with the smaller images around the outside of a page. The whole book elicits memories of days hiking by the beach, camping and late summer nights and everything nostalgic that comes with it.

A must read for any natural science loving family, or anybody who wants to be immersed in the beauty of our earth and beyond.

[mad mags]

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's early Reviewers program.)

Young Ada love to stargaze, but her budding passion is thwarted by the light pollution in her hometown of New York City. She longs for the summers, when she can visit her grandparents Ama and Poobah on their island home in Maine. Once she and her mom finally arrive, Ada is still impatient to see the stars, but at least there's plenty to do in the meantime: birdwatching, building faerie castles, and learning how to judge the passage of time by the tides.

This is a really lovely picture book for kids aged 4-8 years old. (My niece is a little young to meet ADA, but I'm hanging onto to it for her!) The illustrations are charming and are nicely complemented by real photos taken by the Hubble Telescope. ADA AND THE GALAXIES is a great introduction to STEM for younger readers!

[Ashley]

A little girl named Ada is visiting her Ama and Poobah on their island home in Maine. Ada is absolutely fascinated with the stars and sky but where she comes from (New York), the city lights make it difficult for her to view them. So that is the one thing Ada is looking forward to do while visiting her grandparents. When she arrives, Ama and Poobah take her on an outdoor excursion where they kayak and check out the seashore ospreys and nests. Finally, when it becomes dark, a big fog rolls in putting Ada's stargazing to a halt. So Poobah brings out a book about stars to read with the disappointed Ada. This book shows actual pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope and is visually stunning. Ada soon becomes engulfed with the book and learning about galaxies, the Milky Way, and the possibility of life on other planets. Shortly after reading, Ada discovers the fog has lifted and they all run out and finally get to enjoy the night sky with one another.

[Harley]

As a children’s book this is probably fine, it’s a quick read so it’d be easy to get through and the pictures of the night sky were really pretty. But I wanted more about the galaxies.

It’s called Ada and the galaxies and she starts off the book wanting to see the night sky, she’s kind of obsessed with it. She goes to visit her grandparents and where they live they have a good view. While waiting for the sky to get dark they explore the area where they live but all day she can’t wait for it to get dark, when it finally does…it’s foggy. So her grandfather shows her a book about galaxies and they talk a little bit about them. Before bed she goes to say goodnight to the fairy house they built and the fog has lifted so she can see the stars. The end. Give me a couple more pages maybe pointing out some constellations or something.

[Linda]

Alan Lightman's first book for children, with Olga Pastuchiv, was inspired by his own granddaughter's visit to Maine. He tells of young girl Ada who has the biggest pleasure visiting her grandparents, Ama and Poobah, on an island in Maine. There are so many things to do at the edge of the sea, like kayaking and building a fairy house with bits collected. However, what she's really excited about is seeing the stars. She lives in the city where those bright lights keep the stars from showing up. It's a lively and loving story with these three, illustrated in watercolor by Susanna Chapman who incorporates real Hubble Space Telescope pictures of galaxies into her art. (I want to visit, too!)
Thanks to MIT Kids Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press for this copy.

[Amanda]

Fall 2021 (September);
~ LibraryThing Arc

Thank you to Alan Lightman, Olga Pastuchiv, Susanna Chapman, MIT Kids Press, and LibraryThing for this early reviewer copy for an honest review.

As an avid reader, lover of books, English Professor, and aunt of several amazing nieces and nephews, I do delight in choosing children's books every once in a while to be a reviewer on. This beautiful book is about introducing even more than just the stars at night to children. Opening up the wide truth of just how large the universe(s) out there, beyond our little blue marble, are, and how wonderous it all is.

I, also, really appreciated that the last few pages after the story ended were even more facts about space.

[Eve Costarelli]

This is a gorgeous STEAM book that layers actual photographs taken from the Hubble telescope with beautiful ink & watercolor illustrations that weave scientific facts with a charming story of one child’s experiences with the natural world around them. From the craggy coastline and tiny sea creatures to the burst of a million tiny lights in the sky, we follow the story from land to sky and back again. I love the authentic facts delivered in a simple way that add scientific accuracy to this charming tale of a child who loves nature, her family and especially the dream of what the galaxies hold. This is the perfect story for the budding scientist or to get one interested in the vast possibilities of life and variety of dreams that surround us.

[Heidi]

Ada loves to look at the sky, especially the stars, but living in the city as she does, she doesn't get to see them very often. A trip to see her grandparents in Maine gives Ada a chance to see the stars, but she has a hard time waiting for night to come. To keep her occupied, Ada and her family go down to the beach where they explore the shoreline and the creatures that live there. When a fog rolls in, it seems that Ada has lost her chance to enjoy the stars, but her grandfather pulls out some books and teachers her about galaxies. The lovely watercolor and digital illustrations are complemented nicely by actual photographs of galaxies. This delightful book combines a wonderful familial relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter but provides wonderful science information about a shoreline habitat and galaxies. A wonderful book to share with children who are intrigued by science.

[Mary]

Ada cannot see stars in her large city because of light pollution, but when she visit her grandparents in Maine the sky is dark enough. As she waits for the sun to go down she explores other wonders of nature with her grandparents. Finally it is late enough, but a fog has rolled in. While they wait to see the stars, Ada's grandfather shows her photos from the Hubble telescope and helps her to understand some of the immensity and complexity of outer space.
The sweet fictional story is combined with photos and accurate information.
Recommended for early to middle elementary grades.
Tie-in:
Creation story,
science units about the solar system, space
Earth Day.

[Diana]

Writing text for a picture book isn't as easy as most people think. I think with a better editor, this could have turned this into a great story but as written it’s just okay. I do love the colorful illustrations though.

Early in the book, Ada asks her grandfather Poobah when they’ll be able to see the stars. Poobah tells Ada that it will be dark enough to stargaze once the big rock along the shore is covered with water and throughout the day she checks the rock as the tide rolls in. This just seemed like a gimmick to me. I think most children know you have to wait until it’s dark before you’ll be able to see stars, even those who live in cities.

....TBC

[Peacegal]

This is a sweet and lively story, filled with the delight of exploring the world and learning together. When a young girl is disappointed that a heavy fog won't allow her to see the stars on her vacation to seaside Maine, her grandparents get creative and bring the galaxy home.

I loved the grandparents' idea for making Ada's stargazing special, and I also liked that the "daytime" portion of the book modelled observing nature without causing harm or damage to the creatures living in it. The ending is so sweet, too.

[Lynn]

This is a splendid story and visually stunning with breathtaking illustrations done with watercolor and photos from the Hubble Space Telescope.

The story of a small girl impatient to see the stars at her grandparents' cottage is wonderfully authentic and her whirling energy made me smile. I loved the touch of the her grandfather using the visual cue of the rising tide to help the Ada understand the time when she could see the stars.

Scientifically accurate and a fun story with spectacular illustrations.

[Debra Hines]

I am a big fan of the scientist Alan Lightman. I've read several of his books, including the experience he had at his vacation home in Maine that caused him to re-evaluate some of his beliefs regarding science and spirituality. This delightful picture book is based on a true story of his granddaughter at that same home in Maine and contains actual pictures of galaxies taken from the Hubbel telescope- a great introduction to science as well as a glimpse into this eminent scientist's role as a grandfather.

[Alissa Tsaparikos]

This is a sweet story that is both about the struggles of waiting as well as the scientific wonder that is the stars above us. Chapman's illustrations really bring that wonder to life, giving the ending to this story a satisfying and lovely end. Backmatter gives more information about stars and notes that the terms and numbers given in the story are scientifically accurate, which is a nice touch.

[Barbra]

Ada loves star gazing and when she travels to her grandparents in Maine, she can hardly wait to see the night sky. While she waits for darkness, she explores the marvels of the coastline. Poobah explains the galaxies to her and when the fog lifts, she finally can see the stars. Readers will get a chance to see amazing photos taken from the Hubble Space Telescope turned into expressive art. A great way to introduce children to the wonders of the universe.

[Jo Oehrlein]

After waiting all year to see the stars (she can't in the city), a little girl impatiently waits for night to fall in Maine so she can finally see them.

Unfortunately when it's finally dark, there's too much fog to see the stars.
In compensation, the grandfather gets out a book with pictures of galaxies and teaches her about them.
One last check before bed lets her know that the clouds have gone.

[AllyP Reads Books]

Didn't enjoy this book. The main character is either really stupid or a whiner. She keeps wondering when they can see the stars. Well, it's still daylight out so maybe use that as a cue you can't see them yet. You know about nighttime so that's when you can see them, genius. It also takes a really long time for it to get to be nighttime and all the activities they do during the day don't have anything to do with stars so they seem superfluous.

[Katrina Dreamer]

3.5
This is a nice story about girl who loves stars and visits her grandparents in Maine. Lots of science tidbits included...telling time by water covering a rock, ospreys nesting, noticing crabs, talking about the size of the universe. The through-line is impatience because Ada has to wait for dark and a clear sky to see the stars.