Description
Did you know that the white material on the outside of space shuttles was not metal or glass but actually fabric? Specialised quilts, two inches thick, covered the space shuttles and protected the astronauts from deadly heat and radiation. Jean Wright was one of the eighteen "Sew Sisters" who crafted these thermal blankets, mostly by hand, with incredible precision and skill. Capturing both the grandeur of space flight and the intimacy of a needle and thread, Sew Sister tells the story of Jean's childhood passion for space and sewing and her fascinating work for NASA's shuttle program.
Elise Matich's elegant prose and stunning, detailed artwork harmonise with the STEAM concept at the heart of this story: the role of skilled hands and artistry in STEM fields like aeronautics. Sew Sister offers a heroine in the context of space exploration who doesn't go to college or excel at maths; instead, it is her excellence in a trade-one traditionally practised by women-that allows her to achieve her dream. NASA's space shuttle fleet was retired in 2011.
About the Author
Elise Matich is an educator, artist, writer, and mother. SEW SISTER is the first in a series of picture book biographies she is working on that explore the lives of figures who have been overlooked or overshadowed in their fields.
Book Information
ISBN 9780884489825
Author Elise Matich
Format Hardback
Page Count 36
Imprint Tilbury House,U.S.
Publisher Tilbury House,U.S.
Weight(grams) 398g
Dimensions(mm) 213mm * 264mm * 10mm