Stitch together a dream with astronaut Karen Nyberg as she shares her quilt with the world, the stars, and beyond.
What would you do with an impossible dream?
Dr. Karen Nyberg yearned to reach the stars, and when they were finally within grasp, she wanted to share the extraordinary sight with the world. Seeing that the Earth from a distance was like a quilted masterpiece of people and places, she put her skills with needle and thread to use—in space!
When Nyberg lived on the International Space Station, she and NASA invited crafters from around the world to join a project to stitch together a global community quilt. Thousands of people from more than 30 countries stitched quilt squares that were combined to make 28 king-size quilts displayed at the 40th International Quilt Festival in Houston.
With dreamy illustrations from Alida Massari that perfectly capture Nyberg's starry quilt and fun facts about space on every page, A Quilt of Stars is an accurate retelling of Karen Nyberg's true story. This book is an inspiration to those in love with STEM and art, teaching children that anyone with a goal, a community, and a dash of persistence can stitch together a dream.
Praise
"A Quilt of Stars by astronaut Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum-Staats is a beautifully woven story of one astronaut’s life among the stars and how she inspired people around the world to consider their connection within the patchwork of life on Earth. A fun and inspiring book for young readers."
—Jennifer Swanson, award-winning STEM author of Up Periscope!: How Raye Montague Revolutionized Shipbuilding (Little Brown BFYR)
"Quilting is often a collaborative effort, taught from one generation to the next within families and quilting groups across the country. Karen Nyberg's story and quilt project demonstrate creativity, resilience, and the sharing of knowledge and stitches across cultures and communities."
—Jill Morena, Briscoe Center for American History
“The Astronomical Quilts call for entry brought in blocks from all over the world. And the resulting exhibit was one of the most popular we have ever shown in the history of International Quilt Festival. It was made all the more special by Astronaut Karen Nyberg attending in person after her return from the ISS and discussing her creative journey on land…and in space!"
—Bob Ruggiero, vice president of communications, International Quilt Festival
"A strikingly beautiful depiction of [astronaut] Karen Nyberg’s adventures in space, this book invites young readers to see art and exploration as related expressions of their natural curiosity and creativity."
—Ellen Ochoa, veteran astronaut and former director, Johnson Space Center
