New Zealand is famous for our scientists. There was Ernest Rutherford and William Pickering. There was also a stellar woman named Beatrice Hill Tinsley who transformed the world’s thinking and knowledge on the age and distance of stars and galaxies, and how the universe worked.

Born in 1941 in Chester England, she came with her family to New Zealand when she was very young. At nine she moved from Christchurch to New Plymouth  where she was a gifted student.

She soon raced ahead of her peers, wanting more and more advanced books on physics, with a growing interest in astronomy. Questions filled her mind about the universe. How old is it? How many stars are there? What is the Milky Way?

Her studies of physics and mathematics and music took her through school and a degree. Love was part of her life too, and she married and moved to the US, still keen to continue her studies and research.

Her time in the US was busy with her studies, children and married life. But her true passion was always the cosmos and how it worked. Despite those who disagreed with her theories, “Beatrice became known as the leading expert on the evolution of galaxies.”

“You can do anything if you put your mind to it” – Beatrice Hill Tinsley

This talented team has done it again – bringing an exceptional New Zealander to the fore and sharing their life with young kiwis.

This time is it a gifted woman scientist whose work and research on the cosmos has been heralded around the world. It wasn’t an easy road for Beatrice by any means, but Maria Gill & Alistair Hughes have portrayed Hill Tinsley’s short but extraordinary life beautifully in another narrative non-fiction picture book.

The established style of this duo allows young readers to learn about topics and people through story and illustration, capturing important milestones and discoveries throughout the book. 

As always there are extra facts in the rear of this picture book:

• A list of buildings, streets, laboratories and prizes named after Beatrice Hill Tinsley
• A time-line of her life
• A glossary of terms used throughout the story.

Perfect for a class study of famous New Zealanders who achieved incredible things to benefit us all.

Author – Maria Gill

Illustrator – Alistair Hughes

Narrative Non-Fiction / Picture Book

Age – 6+

Find more Narrative Non-Fiction by Maria Gill & Alistair Hughes here

(2024, Upstart Press, New Zealand Author, New Zealand Illustrator, Aotearoa, Cosmos, Universe, Space, Science, Female Scientist, Stars, Galaxies, Astronomy, Challenges, Determination, Studies, Physics, Mathematics, Stars, Outstanding New Zealanders, Historical)