If you’ve got a child who is interested in the universe and what is out there, space and astronomy books for kids can be a fantastic way to keep them engaged and learning more. With so many different types of books out there, you’ll be able to find science books, picture books and even autobiographical books from real astronauts who have been to space themselves that’ll peak their interest. A great resource for all ages, there are books that cover all topics, so whether you’ve got a toddler or a teenager, you’ll be able to find something suitable.
Below we have compiled a buying guide of what to look for when shopping for space and astronomy books for kids, and have even included some of our top picks, all available to you on Amazon.
Why Does My Child Need A Space Or Astronomy Book?
Space and astronomy books for kids are a great way for your child to learn about things that exist far beyond our reach. For children (and adults!), space is an interesting topic because it is something we don’t experience every day, and we don’t really know the extent of what is out there. It can be fun for children to explore what goes on beyond Earth, while learning more about our solar system and other objects in the Milky Way.
It’s important to get the right space books for kids that take into account their age and level of learning. A common mistake is getting them a book that is too mature for them, and while there are many great space books for adults, you don’t want to put kids off by getting them a book too advanced for them.
If your child is passionate about space or astronomy, you will want to provide them with materials to learn more. While there are films, games and toys that can be used to teach them, a classic book is a fantastic resource that will keep them engaged and educated. There are lots of different types of books too, so whether your child is a visual learner or someone who likes to read a lot of text, there is book out there for them.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Space And Astronomy Book
With so many children’s books and resources out there, there are a few factors to consider when buying a book about space or astronomy for kids. Take a look below:
Content
Content is arguably the most important thing to look for when buying a book. If your child is very young, you’ll want a simpler book, perhaps with a lot of pictures to keep them interested. If they are older, a more complicated book will be suitable. The older your child gets, try to stay away from books with childish content. They will get bored very easily and won’t be interested.
You should also take into consideration their knowledge of space and astronomy as it stands now — are they very enthusiastic about the topic and already know a lot? If so, look for a more specialized book. However, if they’re completely new to the topic of space, you could look for a book with a more general overview of the subject.
Every child is different and you know yours better than anyone else. Different children will have different interests and so the content you choose will vary greatly depending on your kid.
Quality
The quality of the book does not just come down to the content inside of it, but rather the physical quality of the book — the pages and the cover. If you’re spending a lot of money on a book, you want the pages to be thick and durable, particularly if your child is young and is prone to being destructible! You’ll also want the book to be able to be re-read over and over without becoming damaged.
Pictures
Pictures and images are a fantastic visual aid to help children learn, no matter what their age is. If you buy a book with large blocks of text and no pictures, your child is going to find it a lot more difficult to stay engaged and interested than if the same information were laid out in diagrams and images. This is particularly important if your child is young.
Cost
Books can be expensive and, while it’s okay to indulge every now and again, if you’re buying books often for your child then it can easily add up! Books on space and astronomy can be expensive, and, as your child is constantly growing, they can grow out of certain books designed for younger readers very quickly! This is something to keep in mind when purchasing.
If you’re looking for the perfect kid’s book about space and astronomy, look no further! Below are 17 of the best space books and best astronomy books for kids, all available to you on Amazon.
The Best Space And Astronomy Books For Kids — Reviewed
1) National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space
This National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes introduce young children to the wonders of space with colorful illustrations and simple text that is perfect for beginning readers or for reading aloud. This book explains the basic concepts of space as well as exploring the Earth, moon, and sun, other planets, other objects (such as dwarf planets, comets, and asteroid belts), and the universe, the Milky Way, stars, galaxies, and black holes. There is also a chapter on space exploration, including humans on the moon, spaceships and the International Space Station.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids
Great for young space enthusiasts, My First Book of Planets by Bruce Betts explains all about the planets, combining photos and texts for the ultimate, easy-to-follow guide. This books explores what makes each planet so special, covering their size, distance from the sun, what the surface is like, how many moons they have and more, as well as dwarf planets Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. With this book, your child can be one step ahead of the others in their class when it comes to all things space.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) Our Neighborhood The Solar System: A Beginner’s Guide to the Solar System for kids and space lovers!
Perfect for children over the age of eight, Our Neighborhood The Solar System by Jesper Nova is a beginner’s guide to our solar system, full of beautiful pictures and fun facts of what is out there. Great for those kids who already show an interest in space, this book dives further into the universe without becoming too complicated and remaining kid friendly. The images are great for visual learners and the text is easy-to-read too, keeping them excited and engaged about space.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Astronauts: A Kid’s Guide: To Space, The Stars, Planets, The Solar System, The Moon and Flying Out Of This World
Great for even the youngest space enthusiasts, Astronauts: A Kid’s Guide: To Space, The Stars, Planets, The Solar System, The Moon and Flying Out Of This World by A.D. Largie is a refreshing introduction for kids to astronauts, rockets, planets, aliens, spaceships and space. Illustrated with bright colors, this book will keep kids interested and the minimal text means it is perfect for the littlest space lovers. The easy-to-follow illustrations allow for this book to be a fantastic bedtime story, sparking their imagination but also educating your kids when they don’t even realize!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Astronomy for Kids: How to Explore Outer Space with Binoculars, a Telescope, or Just Your Eyes!
If your child is interested in astronomy and spotting objects in the night sky, Astronomy for Kids by Bruce Betts is a great place to start. They will learn how to identify stars and planets in the sky, whether they are using plain sight, binoculars, or a small telescope. This book also contains clear illustrations that show kids where to look and what they can expect to see, helping them to find 30 sights for the naked eye and 25 sights magnified with binoculars or a basic telescope.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean
The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon by Dean Robbins tells the true story of Alan Bean, the fourth astronaut to walk on the lunar surface and the only artist to paint its beauty firsthand. In 1969, Bean first walked on the moon and, when he returned to Earth, he began to paint what he saw. This amazing illustration of his time there serves to not only educate children, but provides an excellent bedtime story that will inspire your kid, showing them that anything is possible if they really believe. Perfect for any space enthusiast or aspiring astronaut!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Margaret and the Moon
Great for any young feminists or those little girls who need encouragement that women can become astronauts too, Margaret and the Moon, another book by Dean Robbins, tells the story of Margaret Hamilton, who was responsible for helping NASA put a man on the moon. She handwrote code that would allow the spacecraft’s computer to solve any problems it might encounter, working on Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10 and Apollo 11. This is yet another inspiring book that provides a great bedtime story for children, with wonderful illustrations that will keep them engaged and entertained, while also learning too!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Chasing Space Young Readers’ Edition
Chasing Space is an autobiography from former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin. In this Young Readers’ Edition, children will get to learn about Leland Melvin’s remarkable life story, from being drafted by the Detroit Lions to bravely orbiting our planet in the International Space Station. With do-it-yourself experiments in the back of the book and sixteen pages of striking full-color photographs, this middle grade book is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6. An inspiring book, Melvin’s story will show children the power of never giving up on your dreams.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
9) Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson
Another biographical book, Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer tells the story of science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist. Great for readers of all ages, this picture-book biography is perfect for young readers who are fascinated by the universe or for aspiring scientists who want proof that you really can follow your dreams. This book also explores important historical events and shows what it really takes to become an astrophysicist, great for inspiring the next generation of scientists and astronauts!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
10) Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
Young people have a lot going on in their life — between school, homework, extra-curricular activities and hobbies, they don’t always have time to learn about astrophysics! However, if your child is interested in learning more on the topic, Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry is a great place to start! Written by Neil deGrasse Tyson, a celebrated astrophysicist and science communicator, this books covers everything from the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time, without overwhelming young minds. It also includes full-color photos, infographics, and extra explanations to make even the trickiest concepts accessible.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
11) There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System
Perfect for beginning readers who are interested in space, There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe is from Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library and is an excellent resource for getting youngsters involved and excited about all things to do with our universe. Readers will be taken on a trip, exploring the now eight planets in our solar system alongside the Cat in the Hat, Thing One, Thing Two, Dick, and Sally. Great for educating and for having fun while reading!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Space: Planets, Moons, Stars, and More! (Step into Reading)
This book is part of the “Step Into Reading” collection. These books are written to improve your child’s reading comprehension skills. They’re split up into different steps based on their current abilities. This book is right in the middle at step 3. It’s easy enough for young ones to read on their own. However, it offers a unique challenge and plenty of fun facts to learn.
As your child reads this book, they’ll learn some common facts about the moon, stars, and more. The words are a little more challenging, which is great for pushing the mind further. Thanks to the exciting information they’ll learn, most kids are more than ready to tackle the challenge!
Key Features:
Available in paperback and digital formats
For ages five through eight
48 pages
Easy to read
It includes real NASA photos
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
13) National Geographic Kids Everything Space: Blast Off for a Universe of Photos, Facts, and Fun!
Another National Geographic book, Everything Space by Helaine Becker is great for any child who is interested in learning more about everything to do with space! A perfect general overview, this book contains fun facts, reports from explorers, maps and infographics, as well as over 100 pictures to keep them entertained and engaged. There are details about the planets, stars and more, including astronauts and what it’s really like to be one. Great for all ages, this the perfect beginners guide to space for kids.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
14) 8 Little Planets
8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie is designed for readers over the age of 5 and is fun, fact-filled planetary tale that both entertains and educates. Your child will explore each of the eight planets in this book and find out unique things about them and what makes them special and different from the next. With vibrant and engaging illustrations and playful verse, this is a book perfect for lots of different ages and levels and a fantastic introduction to the other planets in our solar system.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
15) Space Dictionary for Kids: The Everything Guide for Kids Who Love Space
This Space Dictionary by Amy Anderson is for grades 4 to 7 and the perfect book for those interested in space and wanting to amp up their knowledge. This book is packed with hundreds of illustrated definitions about astronomy and space and goes into detail about cosmology, stars and galaxies, the solar system, space exploration, and exoplanets and astrobiology. There are also examples, explanations, diagrams, quizzes and even short activities to enhance understanding, making this the perfect educational aid and a fantastic resource to have on the bookshelf!
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Our Solar System: An Exploration of Planets, Moons, Asteroids, and Other Mysteries of Space
Here’s another child-friendly book about space. This title is filled to the brim with facts. Learn about astronomical bodies floating in space. The book even covers lesser-known objects, ensuring that your child has a well-rounded education about the cosmos.
The pages are packed with stunning photos. It contains both artful depictions and true-to-life photographs captured by telescopes! There’s a lot to discover in this book. With 182 pages of fact, your young one will have no problem scratching their astronomical itch.
Key Features:
- Available in digital and paperback formats
- 182 pages
- For ages eight to 12
- Vibrant photos
- Explore lesser-known objects
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
17) Hello, World! Solar System
For even the youngest space explorers, Hello, World! Solar System by Jill McDonald can teach toddlers all about the sun, moon, stars, and planets, with colors, shapes, sizes, and super-simple facts. This book makes learning fun for smaller minds, with each page offering prompts for engaging with your child and bright, cheerful illustrations. Whether your young child has shown an interest in space or you just want to give them a head-start on all things out of this universe, this book is the perfect visual aid that allows them to learn while also having fun.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
Space and astronomy is a fascinating topic to many people, children included. If your child shows a passion for the subject, a book can be a great way to keep them interested while also teaching them about the wonders of our universe and what goes on beyond Earth. With so many different books out there, your kid can look at images of planets and stars, learn to look for constellations, learn about space missions of the past and even explore where space travel and exploration may go. Whether they’re a toddler or a young adult, there’s a space book out there for them.