Jada Scott to Give 'Talking Planets' Talk at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on Dec. 15

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 2018) -- Jada Scott, a 10-year-old student at Homer Pittard Campus School, will celebrate the release of her first book, "Talking Planets: The Night Problem," with an astronomy talk and signing on Dec. 15 (Saturday) at Metro Parks' Shelby Bottoms Nature Center in Nashville.

            Her talk is part of the "Winter Star Party" event hosted by the center with the Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society. The free event will occur from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The center is located at 1900 Shelby Bottoms Greenway near downtown Nashville.

            The young author has dreamed of writing a book ever since she attended a space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Attendees of the event will enjoy a book reading and PowerPoint presentation.

Jada Scott (center) celebrates the release of her new book, "Talking Planets," with a flight crew from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center during a storytelling and book signing at the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

            "I was curious about space after I visited the Rocket Center and the Adventure Science Center, so I decided to write a book," said Jada, who plans to be a rocket ship designer/engineer when she grows up. "I enjoy learning about science and planets, so I thought the book would give other kids a way to learn what I learned."

            The fifth grader takes readers on an adventurous journey through the solar system aboard her red, white and purple rocket. She brings the sun, nearby planets, moon, and even a black hole to life with insightful facts and original artwork. The book, which is published by In Due Season Publishing, is available for $10.95 at online retail sites including Amazon.com.

            "It feels great to release my first book," said Jada. "It's good to know I am helping my community learn about space-based facts."

            While reading "Talking Planets," space travelers learn what it would be like to visit our sun and planetary neighbors. Here are a few of her observations.

            * Mercury is blazing hot on one side and freezing cold on the other.

            * Meanwhile, Venus reaches a high temperature of 864 degrees, way too hot for a long stay.

            * Astronauts on her rocket learn that Mars is pestered by a chaotic asteroid belt while being menaced by passing spaceships with bright cameras.

            *  By the time her rocket reaches Jupiter, space travelers are itchy from all of the storms they observe in the Great Red Spot.

 

            At the end of her book, Jada invites readers of all ages to join her on a space bus for more exploration. She created a mixed media image of her bus with metal markers and paper. The future rocket scientist used pencil to develop the concepts for another two-dozen original illustrations, including the rocket, sun and planets. Readers even get to meet a NASA engineer.

            "It is important because it is good to know where our Earth came from and its surrounding planets," the fifth grader added. "Without, the solar system, the Earth would not be the way it is. For example, without the Sun, we would freeze to death and without the Moon, our seasons would not be correct. My book represents an easier way to understand planets and the solar system so all ages can understand and enjoy it."

            "Talking Planets" is already receiving "blast-off" reviews. 

            "This book written by a 10-year-old phenomenal girl is a wonderful look into the galaxy like no other perspective," raves Jada's aunt, Tennessee State University Professor Dr. Harriet Kimbro-Hamilton. "It allows the readers to not only hear the voices of the planets but uses that journey to experience a wealth of knowledge that most people including myself didn't know. As a professor at a major institution and an author, little Ms. Scott has captured the voices of the planets in a great imaginary journey that I can visit over and over and still get excited. A must-read for young readers and a must gift." 

            Fellow Homer Pittard student Naomi Crowell says she loves "Talking Planets" because "it talks about things people don't usually talk about, and she inspires a lot of young people by writing such a great book."

            Another classmate, Emma Griffith, describes the book as a "delightful mix of fact and fiction."

            For more information about Jada Scott's book, "Talking Planets," visit www.TalkingPlanetsBook.blogspot.com, www.Facebook.com/TalkingPlanetsBook, or www.Twitter.com/Talking1Planets.