Endlessly fascinating, space exploration continues to captivate minds both young and old. Whether learning about planets, space rockets or the universe, this selection of books will capture the imagination of curious readers and budding astronauts alike!
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Pop-Up Space
by Laura Cowan (Author), Chaaya Prabhat (Illustrator)
Review: This vibrant pop-up book is instantly appealing. Vivid colours draw the reader in as they are introduced to a rocket launch, the moon landing, the International Space Station, the planet Mars and our universe. Simple text accompanies the pop-ups, making this accessible for young readers. Each pop-up covers a double-paged spread, and the paper is sturdy enough for countless viewings. The inclusion of a QR code that enables readers to listen to the book is a nice addition. This book serves as a perfect, short (it is 10 pages in total) interactive introduction to space.
Suggested Reading Age: Age 3 to 6 years old.
Look below to see a flick through of the book.
Mars: Explore the Mysteries of the Red Planet
By Shauna Edson (author), Giles Sparrow (author) and Mark Ruffle (illustrator)
Review: This DK book makes a wonderful introduction to Mars, the red planet. A mixture of bold graphics, photographs and labelled diagrams complements the written content. The book begins by introducing readers to Mars before taking a deeper dive into its history, the present day and what the future may hold for further exploration of the planet. Pages detailing what you would see, smell, hear, feel and taste on Mars, for example, draw the reader in. A checklist to discover whether the reader is the right type of person to visit Mars is a nice touch. Packed full of information presented in an accessible manner, this book is a treat for both curious readers and those with a passion for all things interstellar. Highly recommend.
Suggested Reading Age: Age 7 to 9 years old. In my opinion, the format of this book would also appeal to older students (10 to 11-year-olds) who love to share “fascinating facts” with others.
The Moon: Discover the Mysteries of Earth’s Closest Neighbor
by Dr. Sanlyn Buxner (Author), Dr. Pamela Gay (Author), Dr.Georgiana Kramer (Author) and Dawn Cooper (illustrator)
Review: Another visually appealing book from DK’s Space series, Drs Buxner, Gay and Kramer take a deep dive into the moon. Having first introduced readers to the moon and its beginnings, the following chapters focus on our connections with the moon, features of the moon and research from the past, to the present, to the future. Fascinating facts enhance the text and provide some great talking points. Did you know, for example, that a person can jump six times higher on the moon than on Earth? Dawn Cooper’s illustrations make the book a visual treat. A mixture of drawings and photographs enriches the text, making it a perfect book to dip in and out of.
Suggested Reading Age: Age 7 to 9 years old. In my opinion, this would appeal to readers up to 11/12 years old looking for an introduction to the topic.
See below for more books in the series.
Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond
by Martin Jenkins (author) and Stephen Biesty (illustrator)
Review: This large-sized book provides a wide-ranging overview of space exploration. The end pages not only feature a detailed glossary of terms, but also contain a timeline of space exploration beginning with Aristarch of Samos (the Greek astronomer who posited that the Earth revolved around the sun) in the third century B.C.E and ending with New Horizons flying over Pluto in 2015. An absolute highlight of the book is the many detailed and clearly labelled diagrams. Cut-away sections let the reader see inside the Hubble telescope, a space shuttle, and a space suit, complete with a backpack for a space walk, to name just a few. The accompanying text includes further details, making this a well-rounded read.
Suggested Reading Age: Age 8 to 12 years old. At first glance, the text-heavy pages may be off-putting for younger readers. The diagrams, however, are universally appealing and are sure to capture their attention. I feel this book will “grow” with a child. Beginning as a visual discovery and ending with them being able to fully read and understand the text. This is well worth taking a look at.
Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Author) with Gregory Mone
Review: This young readers’ edition of “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” provides a “meaty” yet accessible introduction to the world of astrophysics. Written in an easy-to-understand manner, tidbits/soundbites such as “Could you dunk on Mars?” capture the reader’s attention. The carefully curated use of photographs and infographics serves to further enhance the understanding of complex topics. Galaxies, dark matter and why the world is round are just some of the areas explored in the book. “Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry” is a perfect read for those wanting to learn more about space, from teenagers to adults.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 to 12 years old. In my opinion, this is more accessible for 12-year-olds and above.
Happy Reading!
More Science Book Recommendations
Combustible Chemistry – Shaping Our World One Reaction At A Time
Materials Around Us – Our Amazing Physical World
Do YOU know any great books about space to add to this list? Please leave a recommendation below .
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