The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars coming January 27th, 2026 from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers; 56 pages
Content Warning: Gender discrimination
About the Author: “Many years have passed since Laura used to make her own books with manila paper, mucilage and crayons. Nowadays her books look much more professional, but the process of creating them is as much fun as it always was! In her writing, Laura draws upon her background in Classics, theology and biblical studies, as well as her long-standing interest in ancient history, folklore, mythology, and science. Her books are meant to teach and to entertain, but most of all, to encourage children to wonder about the world and to ask really big questions. Laura’s books include: All the Faces of Me (Owlkids, 2023); Here: The Dot We Call Home (Paraclete Press, 2022); Sun in My Tummy (Pajama Press, 2022); The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can Press, 2022)” (Bio from author’s Goodreads profile).
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About the Illustrator: “Yas Imamura is a Filipino-American illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, working primarily in gouache and watercolor. She is best known for her work in children’s publishing, including ‘Love in the Library’ by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and a Yoko Ono biography titled ‘Can You Imagine?’ by Lisa Tolin. Yas is represented by Susan Penny of The Bright Agency and has worked with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins, and Penguin Books. In addition to freelance illustration, she occasionally teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Yas continues to contribute to the field of picture books and visual storytelling” (Bio from illustrator’s website).
Find Yas Imamura on the following platforms:
From a young age, Cecilia Payne has seen mysteries to solve all around her. Whether it was the botany of the English countryside or the stars that shine above, she has been surrounded by natural wonders, determined to investigate and understand them. With her boundless curiosity and drive to learn, she eventually wins a scholarship to Cambridge. There, her life changes forever: she realizes she wants to become an astronomer. But when the university proves an unwelcoming place for a female astronomer, Cecilia goes to Harvard, a freer place filled with brilliant, like-minded women studying the stars. Bolstered by this community, Cecilia discovers a revolutionary answer to one of astronomy’s greatest questions—what stars are made of—hidden in thousands of starlight photographic plates.
There are so many women whose groundbreaking contributions to the world are unknown to most—whose stories deserve to be told—and Cecilia Payne is one of them. The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars is a tribute to a remarkable female trailblazer in astrophysics, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Payne’s life. Seeing how inquisitive, analytical, and dedicated she was to learning, despite the obstacles standing in her way, was nothing short of inspiring. Unlike some biographies I’ve read, this book is never impersonal. Payne’s story retains a compelling authenticity, especially when showcasing her surprising vulnerability when she doubts her findings about the stars. The book reminds young readers to trust and believe in themselves while allowing them to identify with Payne. Aside from the accessible scientific facts, this biography features absolutely stunning gouache and watercolor illustrations. Something that never fails to draw me into a picture book is engaging artwork, and this book didn’t disappoint. Imamura’s soft, muted art—reminiscent of the book’s early 20th century subject matter—expands into vast night skies, rich with blues, blacks, and bright white stars. Each spread evokes that pure wonder we all feel when looking up at the sky in all its ethereal splendor. Empowering, informative, and beautifully rendered, Cecilia Payne’s story is a guiding star for every young reader.
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars releases on January 27th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Laura Alary and Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Danielle Hartshorn, Pine Reads Review Writer and Editor