How to Reach Mars and Other (Im)possible Things

Good for 6 years and above

How to Reach Mars and Other (Im)possible Things is a short yet highly inspiring and meticulously illustrated read highlighting the importance of encouraging more and more children (esp. girls) to 'do' science - to thrive in STEM fields - and to become a scientist - built up on the story of India's successful Mars Orbiter Mission!Rabia, a very curious girl from grade six, loves to question! Why don't crabs have eyebrows? Can we throw a frisbee on Mars? The list is endless. And many more such questions pop up in her young curious mind when she happens to be the only one from her class to draw a 'women-scientist' on a project titled 'what does a scientist look like?' She starts doubting whether girls can become scientist at all. On the occasion of National Science Day, as a part of a school field trip, she and her classmates get a chance to visit the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bangalore. There our curious Rabia meets Dr. Mary who is currently working on the Mangalyaan Mission. Rabia's eyes lit up when she understands that Dr. Mary is also a scientist - and her doubts if women can be scientists too is resolved then and there! Right from the history of Mars as a planet to all the intricate technology that is going into the MoM mission, Dr. Mary takes little Rabia on a tour around the center and emphasizes on the facts that a lot of women scientists are also involved in the entire process, thus encouraging her to be a scientist herself!With to-the-point and witty illustrations by Rajiv Eipe and simple yet lucid writing style of Menkaka Raman, How to Reach Mars and Other (Im)possible Things is definitely a kind of book every young child esp. girls should be encouraged to read so that they learn how curiosity and the willingness to solve a question no matter what can make them a wonderful scientist in the coming years! I personally liked the inputs from various women scientists involved with the MoM mission, explaining the scientific concepts in an understandable language, the positions and roles they held and played, and how all of their efforts were finally paid off when India became the first country in the world to successfully enter the Martian orbit on its first attempt!Definitely recommended for young readers!

It's a nice read for younger kids.

If there’s one thing that’s impossible, it’s you NOT falling in love with this book! And what better time to read this book than now? With India having achieved the feat of soft landing on the South Pole of the moon, why not find out more about the nitty-gritties of satellite making and the effort it takes to launch a satellite into orbit?Rabia is a curious middle schooler whose head is always brimming with questions and ideas and is the one to raise her hand first every time the teachers pops a question! When Madhu sir gives the class an assignment to draw a scientist, everybody except Rabia ends up drawing a man. Much to her dismay, her classmate Pavan says that women can’t be scientists! This sets Rabia off on a curious journey of discovery during a field trip to ISRO, where Rabia finds out that there are a LOT of women scientists with extremely important jobs involved in the making of a satellite(Mangalyaan, in this case), thanks to Dr. Mary, a scientist herself!This book had me beaming with pride and joy after turning the last page. Being a proud Bangalorean myself, a book featuring ISRO made my heart do cartwheels!I have always been intrigued by astronomy and satellites and this book was the perfect quencher to that curious thirst of mine! As Dr. Mary guides Rabia through the tedious process of making a satellite and launching it into space, you’ll be surprised at just how many women are actually involved behind the scenes, all of them with great accolades and even greater brains! This is infotainment at its best! You get to learn a lot about the physics behind satellites in a way that’s not info-dumpy or boring!A huge shout-out to Rajiv Eipe for those gorgeous illustrations that made this book the joyful experience it is! Seeing the saree-clad scientists at the end of the book had me smiling from ear to ear!In a world that is quick to judge women and label them as weak, misogyny quite often readers it’s ugly head in society. Books like these are essential to make young readers(especially girls) realise just how much potential they have and they can and WILL achieve everything they set out to! STEMinists unite!Well, I don’t have to convince you more! Pick up this adorable yet powerful book and discover for yourself! It’s not “rocket” science, you see? Unless you to try to lick your elbow, which is impossible! 😉

I got it for my kids but it looks like it is for beginners

'How to Reach Mars and Other Possible Things' is a captivating and heartwarming story that beautifully expresses the essence of curiosity, perseverance, and the breaking of stereotypes. Authored by Menaka Raman , this book takes readers on a journey to ISRO through the eyes of a young girl named Rabia.The story revolves around Rabia, a determined and inquisitive sixth-grader who dares to challenge societal norms. In a classroom filled with skepticism and prejudice, Rabia stands out by portraying a woman as a scientist in her homework assignment. Her resolute confidence in the abilities of women in the realm of science creates the backdrop for an extraordinary expedition. On the field trip day at the Rao Satellite Centre, she meets Dr. Mary.Dr. Mary becomes the beacon of inspiration for her, patiently addressing her curiosity and explaining the intricacies of space exploration, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM),the payloads, PSLV, Manoeuvre slingshot and the roles of women scientists involved.The author, through well-crafted prose, skillfully weaves together a story that champions the idea that science knows no gender boundaries. This book is a testament to the fact that science is, and should be, everyone's game.The creative illustrations are fun to watch and read along especially the ones licking elbow, the auto in a slingshot. The book at the end introduces us with women leaders in the MoM mission. A cool book to present to the young aspiring space dreamers🛰️🚀