Donald Jacobsen

Celestina has big dreams of becoming an astronaut, but not everyone in her life believes she can achieve that. They say it's too hard or too much work and that she should stick to becoming a ballerina. Overall, the book accomplishes its mission in sharing the message that you can become anything you want, including being more than one thing. I liked that readers get to see Celestina grow up and achieve her goals through hard work. The rhyming text worked for most of the book and kept the story flowing, although there were places where it didn't quite keep the rhythm. The illustrations are engaging. I'm acknowledging my bias here as a school librarian, but I did not like that Celestina's nemesis, the first teacher who laughs at her, is drawn as the worn-out stereotypical librarian (grey hair in a bun, glasses, pearl earrings). However, the other illustrations are inclusive and modern, including a student in a motorized wheelchair and a boy in ballet class. I appreciate that Donald Jacobsen's website includes book extras for teachers and librarians can sign up for.… (more)

While this story is a sweet concept, it was challenging to read aloud as the rhyme scheme was pretty clunky. Rhythmically, it seemed almost as if it had only been read aloud in the author’s voice and never tried with anyone else’s. I wasn’t the hugest fan of the messaging, either. I wish Celestina’s “good teacher” hadn’t have told her she had to give up ballet to be an astronaut. It’s okay to like dance and science! Overall, I see the intent but I think the concept has been done already (and far more successfully) by others.… (more)