Books in the Picture Book Biography series bring real-world figures to life through fun-filled, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations and quick activities that reinforce foundational learning as well as expand kids’ perceptions of the roles of scientist, artist, explorer and innovator by meeting women, people of color and other minorities in the profession. Simultaneous. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

A full-color picture book biography about Dorothy Vaughan, one of NASA’s first African American managers and one of the groundbreakers on the front line of electronic computing—includes hands-on STEM activities for an introduction to coding.

Dorothy Vaughan loved things that made sense—especially numbers! In Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist, elementary-aged children follow Dorothy’s journey from math teacher to human computer and beyond, a journey made difficult because she was an African American woman working during a time of segregation. Dorothy worked incredibly hard to meet the challenges that greeted her at every turn and rose to the level of supervisor, the first black supervisor in the history of her company! But another challenge awaited when a mechanical computer threatened to replace the teams of human computers. How will Dorothy figure out this problem?

• In the Picture Book Biography series, children encounter real-life characters who are thrilled to learn and experiment, eager to make a difference, and excited about collaborating with team members.

• Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, a timeline, simple STEM projects, such as coding a name on a bracelet, and a glossary all support foundational learning for kids ages 5 to 8.

• Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book

About Picture Book Biography books and Nomad Press

Computer Decoder is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Biography series that introduces pioneers of science to young children and makes career connections in different STEM fields. The other titles in this series include Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist; Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer; and Space Adventurer: Bonnie Dunbar, Astronaut.

Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Biography series bring real-world figures to life through fun, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations and quick activities that reinforce foundational learning. Elementary-aged children are encouraged to expand their perceptions of the roles of scientist, artist, explorer, and innovator by meeting women, people of color, and other minorities in the profession. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

- (Bookmasters)

In Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist, readers ages 5 to 8 follow Dorothy Vaughan’s journey from math teacher to human computer to the first black supervisor at her company! Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, simple STEM projects such as drawing a scene from another planet, and a glossary all support foundational learning. Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book! - (Bookmasters)

Andi Diehn is a writer and editor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College. She is the author of the Picture Book Science series, Shakespeare: Investigate the Bard's Influence on Today's World, Technology: Cool Women Who Code, and Explore Poetry!, all from Nomad Press. She lives in Enfield, New Hampshire, with her family.

Katie Mazeika is an illustrator with a focus in children's publishing. She loves creating illustrations with a strong narrative that are filled with color and texture. Her illustrations are primarily done in Photoshop. Katie is a member of the SCBWI.

Booklist Reviews

In many ways, these new biographies of women in STEM fields are a dream. They cover diverse, accomplished subjects who may be new to younger readers. Diehn's writing is clear and engaging, and each book follows an uplifting narrative of learning and overcoming obstacles. The text is supported by Mazeika's warm, somewhat cartoonish digital artwork, which truly illustrates and brings to life each woman's story. In addition to a photo-illustrated time line and a glossary, the back matter includes a fun project and a great activity matching primary sources with bolded sentences in the text. Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist portrays Vaughan's triumphs in her career as a human computer and computer programmer at Langley and, later, NASA, despite facing segregation. While most books in the Picture Book Biography series (4 titles) are highly recommended, purchasers at schools and libraries should be aware of a sensitivity issue in its fourth volume, Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist. Grades K-2. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

This simple biography of African American NASA computer Dorothy Vaughan contrasts her intelligence and initiative with the nonsensical rules of segregation in her time. Vaughan is introduced as a woman who worked as a human computer during the 1940s and 1950s. Her "unusual" accomplishment of attending college as an African American woman was followed by a job teaching in segregated schools, which didn't pay much. When she saw that the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory was hiring human computers, she applied and got the job. At Langley, the engineers who were testing airplanes were mostly men (depicted as white in the illustrations), and they needed the help of human computers, who were mostly women. In the middle of the story, segregation is introduced as "one thing that didn't make sense" at Langley and throughout Vaughan's life. But "Dorothy didn't let this stop her. She worked hard. She worked smart." After becoming a supervisor, she decided to learn about the new mechanical computer. She became an expert in computer code and taught others. Vaughan's accomplishments are truly impressive, and this is one of the first picture books t o focus on this mathematician, one of those featured in Hidden Figures. Unfortunately, the text relates her story as a recitation of facts, and the pictures lack variety and appear static. This book is one of four introducing young readers to women in STEM; simultaneously publishing are Fossil Huntress (about paleontologist Mary Leakey), Human Computer (about engineer Mary Jackson), and Space Adventurer (about astronaut Bonnie Dunbar). While this book gets the job done, here's hoping livelier titles on this fascinating personality will appear soon. (activities, timeline, glossary) (Picture book/biography. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus 2019 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—Four introductory volumes to the lives of prominent women of math and science. The reader learns about how they entered their fields, their work, and the challenges they faced. The biographies of Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson also reveal their struggles with segregation at NASA. The text is straightforward and focuses strictly on their careers. Time lines in the back fill in gaps for the reader whose curiosity is piqued. Colorful illustrations nicely complement the narrative. VERDICT Interesting takes on important women should appeal to both browsers and report writers.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—Four introductory volumes to the lives of prominent women of math and science. The reader learns about how they entered their fields, their work, and the challenges they faced. The biographies of Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson also reveal their struggles with segregation at NASA. The text is straightforward and focuses strictly on their careers. Time lines in the back fill in gaps for the reader whose curiosity is piqued. Colorful illustrations nicely complement the narrative. VERDICT Interesting takes on important women should appeal to both browsers and report writers.