• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

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's profile page

Cornelia Li is a Chinese-born illustrator currently based in Toronto. She is intrigued by narrative woven into daily interactions between people and their surroundings and she set out to capture the relationship by externalizing the ideas and emotions into elements in her images. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, the AOI, 3x3, the National Magazine Awards and more.

Cornelia Li's profile page

"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