We Are the NASA Scientists (Friends Change the World, 4)

This beautiful picture book tells the story of two scientists who worked together side by side to send humans into space.

Mary Jackson was super smart. She loved math and science, and she loved to learn. When Mary got a job at NASA, it was a dream come true! But this was a time when Black people were segregated from white people, and Mary had to fight hard for every opportunity.

In 1953, Mary started working alongside Kaz Czarnecki. They soon realized how much they could share and teach each other. The two were from completely different backgrounds, but it didn't matter at all—they had so much in common.

This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted for decades. Together, they worked on amazing experiments and achieved incredible things, like working to land astronauts on the moon.

Friends Change the World is a series of picture books that celebrates the power of friendship. From musical greats to sports champions, scientists and explorers to artists and activists, these are the true stories of real friends who achieved amazing things. Whether best friends since school or thrown together by a chance encounter, they supported and inspired each other to make their shared dreams come true. This charming series shows 4- to 7-year-olds how togetherness, respect, and friendship can make the world a better place.

Zoë Tucker is passionate about picture books. In her day job as a picture-book art director and designer, she has worked with bestselling artists including Waterstones–prize winner Lizzy Stewart, Axel Scheffler, Nick Sharratt, and Helen Stephens. She is the author of Greta and the Giants, and books in the Friends Change the World series.

Amanda Quartey is an illustrator based in the UK. At the age of 14 she moved to Ghana and studied art, and later returned to the UK to study Graphic Design. She has worked on a variety of published projects.