Shooting for the Stars: My Journey to Become Irelands First Astronaut

About Dr. Norah PattenNorah Patten

Norah Patten was 11 years of age when she visited NASA on a family trip to the United States. From that moment on she was hooked on all things space! Norah was on a mission: she wanted to learn everything she possibly could about space exploration rockets and how she could someday become an astronaut. In 2017 Dr. Norah Patten from Ballina in Co. Mayo was one of 12 participants from around the world selected to take part in a unique scientist-astronaut training programme in Florida. She is on course to become Irelands first astronaut! In achieving her dream of becoming an astronaut Norah hopes to inspire and encourage the children of Ireland to dream big and reach for the stars! Norah has given talks at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and helped to launch the CBI BoldGirls campaign. She has appeared on TV and radio. Jennifer Farley is an author and illustrator from Dublin. Her artwork is bright colourful and a little bit humourous. Jennifer has illustrated several books for other authors and has written and illustrated three books herself including Island of Adventures and her latest book Scout's Best Day Ever.  In 2019 she illustrated Shooting For The Stars written by Dr. Norah Patten which won an An Post Irish Book Award.  Jennifer's latest book is Scout's Best Day Ever. Scout (the dog) promises to send cat a postcard from every place he visits on his travels around Ireland. But which will be the BEST. DAY. EVER? Having left the bright lights of the city Jennifer now lives in rural Ireland with her husband and their two dogs.