Look Up

Story

Rocket is a little girl who is fascinated by science and especially space. She wants to encourage her whole community to watch a meteor shower, but first she needs to persuade her big brother to “look up” from his mobile phone.

Why we chose it

Rocket is a instantly loveable character and Dapo Adeola’s illustrations bring her to vibrant life. Her enthusiasm for space and her beautifully portrayed relationship with her brother make this a joyful book to read and share. Look out for Rocket in Small Worlds.

Where it came from

Nathan Byron was inspired to write the story after a visit to London in which his girlfriend managed to drag him away from his mobile phone long enough to take in the sights around him.

A successful actor and screenwriter, this was his first picture book.

Dapo Adeola based Rocket on one of his nieces to help him to capture attitude and personality in his drawings. He and Byron worked together from the start to create the character.

Adeola is committed to raising the profile of Black British illustrators and to representation in the creative arts.

Where it went next

Look Up is under option to become a TV series.

Associated stories

Rocket appears in a second book, Clean Up, published in 2020.

In the museum

Find Rocket in Small Worlds.