Gravity Is Bringing Me Down

Illustrated by Cornelia Li
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
8.88"W x 11.31"H x 0.43"D  
On sale Jan 16, 2024 | 40 Pages | 978-0-593-37592-1
| Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD510L | Fountas & Pinnell M
Gravity becomes a very personal problem for a girl as she stumbles and tumbles through a long day. A hilarious look at a core science concept for any kid who has ever had a case of the clumsies!

When Leda wakes up by falling out of bed, she knows that gravity is in a very bad mood. Again.

Sure enough, she struggles with stumbles and bumbles at home, trips and blips on the bus, and bashes and crashes in the classroom. But a lesson on gravity helps her understand what’s really going on. And after a visit to a science center, Leda's mood is lifted...just in time for her to tumble-- happily!--into bed.

With a very funny text from award-winner Wendelin Van Draanen and bright, bouncy illustrations from Cornelia Lia, Gravity is Bringing Me Down makes it hilariously clear how this science concept impacts kids' lives every day.
Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a classroom teacher and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of many award-winning books, including the Sammy Keyes mysteries, Flipped, The Running Dream, Runaway, Wild Bird, Confessions of a Serial Kisser, The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones, Swear to Howdy, and Hope in the Mail, Reflections on Writing and Life. Ms. Van Draanen lives with her husband in California. Her hobbies include the “three R’s”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. To read more about Wendelin Van Draanen’s books, please visit WendelinVanDraanen.com. View titles by Wendelin Van Draanen
"In this funny, fresh take on a day gone wrong, Van Draanen and Li are sympathetic to their protagonist’s travails, presenting readers with the opportunity to see in resilient Leda—and themselves—that whatever gravity may throw down, they’ll rise above it." —Publishers Weekly

"This cheerful tale uses Leda’s case of the clumsies to introduce the concept of gravity. An engaging flight of imagination, grounded in fact." —Kirkus Reviews

"A perfect read for a day when everything feels wildly imperfect, this offers a stealthy combination of science and social/emotional learning." — Bulletin

"Van Draanen presents a fun exploration of gravity by making the science lesson engaging and accessible. And most everyone can relate to Leda and her clumsy day!" —School Library Journal
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About

Gravity becomes a very personal problem for a girl as she stumbles and tumbles through a long day. A hilarious look at a core science concept for any kid who has ever had a case of the clumsies!

When Leda wakes up by falling out of bed, she knows that gravity is in a very bad mood. Again.

Sure enough, she struggles with stumbles and bumbles at home, trips and blips on the bus, and bashes and crashes in the classroom. But a lesson on gravity helps her understand what’s really going on. And after a visit to a science center, Leda's mood is lifted...just in time for her to tumble-- happily!--into bed.

With a very funny text from award-winner Wendelin Van Draanen and bright, bouncy illustrations from Cornelia Lia, Gravity is Bringing Me Down makes it hilariously clear how this science concept impacts kids' lives every day.

Author

Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a classroom teacher and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of many award-winning books, including the Sammy Keyes mysteries, Flipped, The Running Dream, Runaway, Wild Bird, Confessions of a Serial Kisser, The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones, Swear to Howdy, and Hope in the Mail, Reflections on Writing and Life. Ms. Van Draanen lives with her husband in California. Her hobbies include the “three R’s”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. To read more about Wendelin Van Draanen’s books, please visit WendelinVanDraanen.com. View titles by Wendelin Van Draanen

Praise

"In this funny, fresh take on a day gone wrong, Van Draanen and Li are sympathetic to their protagonist’s travails, presenting readers with the opportunity to see in resilient Leda—and themselves—that whatever gravity may throw down, they’ll rise above it." —Publishers Weekly

"This cheerful tale uses Leda’s case of the clumsies to introduce the concept of gravity. An engaging flight of imagination, grounded in fact." —Kirkus Reviews

"A perfect read for a day when everything feels wildly imperfect, this offers a stealthy combination of science and social/emotional learning." — Bulletin

"Van Draanen presents a fun exploration of gravity by making the science lesson engaging and accessible. And most everyone can relate to Leda and her clumsy day!" —School Library Journal

Photos

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