By Cyrisse Jaffe

Two new biographies spotlight women whose remarkable achievements have enriched our understanding of our world.

Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams by Katherine Paterson. Illustrated by Sally Deng. Chronicle Books, 2025.

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois by Allie Summers. Illustrated by Sian James. MIT Kids Press (Chronicle Books), 2025.

The popular, award-winning author Katherine Paterson brings us an inspiring story about Jella Lepman, a 20^th century activist and advocate for books and reading. Brimming with facts about her life and career, as well as the dramatic historical events of the time, the book is dense but informative, although the choice of a picture book format is puzzling (see below for more on this). The lovely drawings, done in a very 1940s-ish style by Saly Deng, are interspersed with real-life photographs, giving the book a very distinctive feel for the era.

Jella and her accomplishments were certainly remarkable. Born in 1891 to a well-to-do Jewish family in Stuttgart, Germany, she was interested in books and education at an early age. At 17, she opened a reading room with books in several languages for children of immigrant families. Widowed at 31, she worked as a journalist and became the first woman editor of a liberal newspaper in her hometown. As Hitler rose to power, she and her two children left, first to Italy and then to England. There she continued to be employed as a writer and journalist.

After the war, Lepman was tapped by the Americans to return to Germany as an “advisor on the cultural and educational needs of women and children.” This meant “reeducating” Germans, especially the younger generation, to ensure that never again would they find Hitler and fascism appealing. The devastation she saw in post-war Germany affected everyone, but especially children, who were often homeless and/or orphaned. In addition to their immediate need for clothing, food, and shelter, Lepman believed they also needed “nourishment of the soul” — books.

Much of the story contains details about the political, economic, and other obstacles Lepman faced. Despite the lack of support from governments, and resources, she managed to create an exhibition of international children’s books in 1946. After a tireless struggle, she was able to establish an International Youth Library (IYL), a lending library with book discussions and story hours. Lepman continued to pursue her dream of using reading to promote peace and understanding. In 1951, she helped establish the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), which continues today as an international network of people and groups committed to bringing “books and children together.” (Among other activities, the organization awards the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award to authors and illustrators who have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature.)

Jella’s persistence and dedication are unmistakable and rather astonishing. Paterson does a good job telling the story, but the narrative is sometimes overloaded with too much detail. And, as much as I wanted to love this portrait of a powerful woman, I couldn’t help but wonder who the audience would be. Designed as a large, illustrated book (103 pages), the text is often complex. The narrative requires not only proficient reading skills but at least some historical knowledge. Tweens and above, who might best appreciate this tale, are likely to be turned off by the picture book format. It doesn’t lend itself easily to be being read aloud, either. Perhaps the publisher might be encouraged to reissue this in a more appropriate format. It would be a shame to have Lepman’s story sit on a shelf when her life’s mission was, in fact, to make books and reading accessible to all.

The format, text, and illustrations of Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois are clearly aimed at younger readers. In fact, one wishes the illustrations were a little less childish and cartoonish. Although colorful and at times appealing, the style gives the narrative a cozy tone that seems at odds with Courtois’ bold and exciting discoveries — and her continuing, contemporary work as an award-winning scientist. In fact, it’s only upon reading the timeline, bibliography, and acknowledgements, that one realizes that Courtois herself participated in the creation of the book through interviews. (A photo would have been a great addition!)

Born in 1970, in a small town in France, Courtois was fascinated by the sky at an early age. In college, she faced barriers as the only woman in her class studying astrophysics. Despite the lack of support from her classmates, she went on to specialize in mapping galaxies and other structures in the universe. As a cosmographer, Courtois traveled around the world. In 2013, her quest to map as many galaxies as possible led to the amazing discovery of a supercluster, which Hélène and her team named Laniakea.

Despite its flaws, this book is a welcome addition to the range of picture book biographies of women in science. It may inspire girls to become scientists themselves.

Cyrisse Jaffee is a former children’s and YA librarian, children’s book editor, and a creator of educational materials for WGBH. She holds a master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College and lives in Newton, MA.