Children’s Books About Space
What would be more breathtaking for a child than staring up at the stars and wondering what is really out in space? These children’s books about space help nurture that curiosity, with creative presentations about feature of outer space – like black holes and nebulae – as well as what space travel is actually like (and what it could become). Most of the books are non-fiction, yet there are a few fiction works as well, including a middle grade novel about a colony on the moon. Encourage your future scientists and astronauts with these wonderful books that will, happily, have them asking even more questions than ever before!
Disclosure: I received copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Children’s Books About Space
Feed kids’ curiosity with these children’s books about space!
This highly imaginative picture book helps kids play with the idea of being discovered by aliens, instead of the other way around. A space portal opens up, and we see two friendly creatures, who call us aliens and try to be brave enough to interact with us. They claim they really aren’t scared at all, even though our eyes don’t move around like theirs do and they’ve never heard of our planet. What would you do if you met an alien? A fun book young children who enjoy reading again and again.
Buy To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here on Amazon or Bookshop
Think space is all about planets and stars? Think again! This charming, easy to read book introduces young readers to nebulae, massive clouds of gas and dust floating around in space. This book draws the reader in with its relatable descriptions. It is explained, for example, that dying stars shoot elements into space like dandelions seeds on the wind. The colorful illustrations are a unique combination of actual space photographs and original artwork, alive with color and motion. This engaging book drives home the point that space is immensely vast, full of wonders that are incredibly far away yet, nevertheless, intimately connected to each one of us.
Buy Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us on Amazon or Bookshop
Who isn’t fascinated by black holes, those hungry, mysterious giants of space? This picture book uses rhyming text to introduce young readers to basic concepts about black holes. Because of its audience, it is light on science, sometimes focusing more on making a good rhyme, though there is a wealth of information at the back of the book for those whose curiosity is piqued. This book’s strength is its enthusiasm and ability to get kids excited to learn more.
Buy I’m a Black Hole on Amazon or Bookshop
Ready for a picnic? Let’s find a good spot! But not on Earth, everyone does that! And so begins our journey out of our sola system to the exoplanets. These wild superstars are incredibly diverse, from a water world to one covered in lava to another that actually swallowed a planet! Which would you choose for your picnic? I love that this imaginative book (featuring diverse kid astronauts) introduces young readers to worlds that most of us know little about.
Buy Picnic Planet: A Lunchtime Guide to Your Galaxy’s Exoplanets on Amazon or Bookshop
Get ready for one of the biggest matchups in the night sky, asteroid vs. comet! This fun book imagines this showdown as a boxing match in the sky, with facts about the opponents provided by astronomers and citizen scientists. The two contestants are opposites in almost every sense, but both are fierce opponents. So who will win? Make a hypothesis and see if you were right! After reading this engaging book, you will never look up at the night sky the same way again.
Buy Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet on Amazon or Bookshop
What is being different was actually a super power? All of their lives, deaf people are told no, to all of the adventures they might want to experience, or the ways they want to contribute to the world. But during the space race, eleven deaf men from Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) were told yes. The characteristic that had so often been used to hold them back now made them sought after by none other than NASA, who was working to understand the effects of weightlessness on the human body. This new field of bioastronomy was pioneered by these eleven men, whose immunity to motion sickness allowed them to participate in exhausting and sometimes dangerous tests that helped scientists prepare for space travel. Fun fact: that research also led to the motion sickness pills we all rely on today!
Be sure to watch my interview with the author about this new picture book about this incredible true story.
Buy The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of NASA’s Deaf Bioastronauts on Amazon or Bookshop
This incredible book takes young readers along on a remarkable journey that culminates in a space walk. Who could tell us what a space walk is actually like? Just the first American woman to walk in space! She (with the help of her fellow writer) gives a personal but very practical account of all the steps you must take in order to do your first space walk, from your training on Earth to how to strap on your spacesuit. I love the tone of this book, which takes its readers seriously, treating them as future astronauts that will need these practical tips. Kathryn D. Sullivan will surely inspire her readers with her own life story and her faith in them as future scientists and fellow adventurers.
Buy How to Spacewalk: Step-by-Step with Shuttle Astronauts on Amazon or Bookshop
This richly researched book for older readers is a treasure trove of information about a range of topics related to human space exploration, from Cold War politics to the current Artemis missions. It dives into the nitty gritty of what disputes arise regarding space and how they get resolved. For example, who takes care of space junk? Can one country own part of the moon? How do earth politics affect astronauts on the International Space Station? Are private citizens who launch into space as tourists afforded the same rights as astronauts under international treaties? This book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in space or politics. It was a real page turner for me personally, answering questions I hadn’t even thought to contemplate. Highly recommended.
Buy Who Owns the Moon?: And Other Conundrums of Exploring and Using Space on Amazon or Bookshop
What would it be like to be among the first kids to ever visit the moon? Priscilla is thrilled to be among the elite group of students chosen to visit the Moon Village, but she is also disappointed when she learns that science is no longer front and center there. Researchers are being pushed aside to make room for tourism, including a concert by the one celebrity Priscilla loathes. The author uses meticulously research to imagine what a future Moon Village might look like, as seen through the eyes of a twelve (almost thirteen!) year old. Whether you are interested in space travel or just love a good adventure (with plenty of juicy interpersonal drama), you will love this wonderful middle grade novel about a girl discovering how to use her own voice to advocate for what is important.
Buy The Star of Moon Village on Amazon or Bookshop
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