Outer space has captured the imaginations and hearts for generations. NASA’s 60th Anniversary celebrates the missions, astronauts, and advancements that thousands of people and science have achieved.
This children’s book list is for the kids who look up at the stars and dream of space travel. For the kids who imagine being an astronaut or seeing Earth from above.
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This list of books will work for anyone reading with young children, but it was originally created for our A Read A Day challenge for October 2018. Click –> A READ A DAY <– to learn more about this fun, free program.
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Best Children’s Books about Outer Space
Below are a collection of amazing books to read aloud to a group, share with your child, or have on your shelves. We have read and loved each and every one.
1. On The Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets
by Michael Dahl
illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shea
A simple countdown from 12 stars twinkle in the morning sky and 11 workers take care of tasks to ONE shining rocket blasting off to the sky. Perfect introduction to the exciting event of a takeoff for a little one. 2+
2. Interstellar Cinderella
by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by Meg Hunt
This one I included for fun. It’s a creative take on the Cinderella story that is all about engineering and girl power. A fun fiction read aloud to mix in with your other books about space. It’s also an interesting look at what life in space might look like which could lend itself to some interesting conversation or writing prompts.
Also Read:
Women in Space Storytime
3. Mousetr0naut Goes to Mars
by Astronaut Mark Kelly
illustrated by C. F. Payne
This adorable book follows the adventures of a mouse astronaut, Meteor. He is determined to be apart of the first human mission to Mars. Children will be rooting along for this little mouse hero. This is the second book about Meteor, we also love the original Mousetronaut. It was written by a real astronaut, which my kids think is beyond cool.
4. To The Stars! The First American Woman in Space
by Carmella Van Vleet
This is the story of Kathy Sullivan and how she became the first American woman astronaut in space. Kathy is an inspiring, energetic woman and her journey bursts off the pages. This is my daughter’s favorite book about outer space. PS. The back has a brief history of women in space that makes me want to learn even more!
5. Mae Among the Stars
by Roda Ahmed
illustrated by Stasia Burrington
I like that this story focuses just on the childhood story about Mae wanting to become an astronaut and learning to believe in herself even when others didn’t. Mae Jemison is an impressive person and certainly many books could be written about her life and career, but I think this is a story that kids need to hear regardless of what they hope to become some day.
6. The Darkest Dark
by Astronaut Chris Hadfield
illustrated by The Fan Brothers
This story is different than a lot of the ones on this list because it doesn’t enough much about actual space. It is written by Astronaut Chris Hadfield. It’s about facing your fears and how watching the Apollo 11 landing as a child changed his life forever. It’s a beautiful story and a different look at space, darkness, and astronauts.
You May Also Like: Storytime about the Moon for Preschoolers
7. My Journey to the Stars
by Astronaut Scott Kelly
illustrations by Andre Ceolin
This book is unique because it offers the perspective of a real astronaut who spent almost a full year living in space. It is his story of becoming an astronaut. The text is a little dense in places, but it is an interesting story. Well illustrated, but we most love the actual photos included from the Kelly family. If your kid is amazed by space travel and astronauts then this is one to have on your shelves.
8. Astronaut Handbook
by Meghan McCarthy
This is a cute non-fiction book about astronauts. It is accessible, interesting, and engaging. If your kid dreams of being an astronaut then this is a great look at the different aspects of being an astronaut and the different jobs that are available.
9. Moonshot
by Brian Floca
Moonshot is an incredible book about space. Stunning illustrations, fascinating information, and amazing retelling of the story of Apollo 11 for the next generation. When we did our Unit on Outer Space last year we were so obsessed with this book we even decided to re-enact it puppet theater style. 4+
10. Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon
by Suzanne Slade
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
This is a stunning and thorough look at the Apollo Missions to the moon. The thick book starts with JFK’s dream and follows Apollo’s 1 through 11 over the 2979 days until Armstrong’s famous words. The text is lengthy, but well paced and often suspenseful. The illustrations are gorgeous paintings. And interspersed are real photos, quotes, and stats on the astronauts. If you are, or have a child who is, a fan of outer space then this is a book you must have on your shelf.
11. A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars
by Seth Fishman
illustrated by Isabel Greenberg
This is a fun book about big numbers and the vastness of our world. It’s a fun one for putting our world into perspective. It’s also a great one to share with kids when they are fascinated with really big numbers. A good combo math and science book for a space STEM theme.
12. Space Atlas: A Voyage of Discovery for Young Astronauts
by Jiri Dusek and Jan Pisala
illustrations by Tomas Tuma
“Atlas” is a decent word for this book because it’s contents is fairly all inclusive. Each page opens up to review a huge spread full of information. My kids love this book for it’s details about humans in space and the international space station. The book covers a huge range of space topics though. A great one to put in the hands of any young space enthusiasts.
13. Living in Space
by Katie Daynes
This is another awesome non-fiction book from Usborne. We love this series and this one in particular. My kids are fascinated by the idea of the International Space Station and this helped to answer some of their many, many, many questions. 3+
14. Ultimate Space Atlas
by National Geographic Kids
This one is for older kids but it is an awesome resource for kids who love space. It feels a bit like a thick magazine, but it is over 150 pages of information, maps, games and more. There is so. much. information. in here and some seriously cool photos. If your kids wants to go more in depth about space, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
15. My First Big Book of Space
by Catherine D. Hughes
illustrated by David A. Aguilar
I love this series of books so much. National Geographic Kids does a fantastic job of combining interesting facts with gorgeous illustrations. We own a bunch of books in this MY FIRST series and I recommend them all for inquisitive little ones.
16. Pluto is Peeved! An Ex-Planet Searches for Answers
by Jacqueline Jules
illustrated by Dave Roman
Poor Pluto. I love the premise of this book. The title is amazing. As a child of the 80s I have a soft spot for poor forgotten Pluto. In execution, the plot is a little random at times but I like the way the author talks about science and discovering answers to your questions. The information Pluto learns is well presented. I like the graphic novel type illustrations chosen for this book. It’s fun and conversational and that style really appeals to my children. My kids love this book.
17. Voyage Through Space
by Katy Flint
illustrated by Cornelia Li
This is a really solid nonfiction book about outer space. It has a loose journey through space story where you follow along with a little girl and her dog as they travel across the galaxy but mostly it is walking you through the solar system. This story however adds a conversational tone to the text and helps it flow. The illustrations are what really draw you in. They are warm and full of the wonder that space demands. Their color and texture make you look closer and then you have time to appreciate all of the little facts that are included on each spread. A book to share with space fans, have on your classroom shelf, or use as an introduction to the solar system.
18. The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space
by Heidi Fiedler
illustrated by Brendan Kearney
This is a good overview of the galaxy and solar system. I like the comparisons and the conversational tone. I wouldn’t say the information is super unique, but the tone, examples, and details are well tailored to the intended audience. The illustrations of the planets are cute. I also really enjoyed how the author discussed the exploration of space. She included everything from telescopes to robots to astronauts. I think this is a great book to share with preschoolers and early elementary schoolers who are interested in outer space.
19. Space Atlas: A Journey From Earth to the Stars, and Beyond
by Tom Jackson
illustrated by Ana Djordjevic
This is a very solid look at outer space. The information is interesting, the layout is clear, and photography is well integrated. I think what this book does really well is look further than most previous space atlases. It gives good overviews of the planets in our solar system, along with the sun and moon, but then it pushes further to nebulae and systems that scientists have discovered more recently. For a kid who wants to know more, explore further, this book will take you there.
20. The Skies Above My Eyes
by Charlotte Guillain
illustrated by Yuval Zommer
This definitely wins the award for most creative book I have read this year. The entire book folds out into a huge, tall spread illustrated with mesmerizing details and illustrations that go from a little girl up, up, up into outer space. On one side it shows a little girl in the city looking up at the expansive sky. On the other side, the little girl is out in the country lying on her back looking way up into the sky. The only downside that I can see is that this format is a little hard to share with a group, but wow is it stunning. The way it captures the expanse of what’s above us is inspiring.
21. Astronaut Aquanaut
by Jennifer Swanson
This is such a cool book. I had never considered how similar space travel and undersea travel were similar before but as soon as I read the introduction it seemed so obvious. Outer Space and the Ocean are the two favorite things in our house so realizing that they have so much in common and finding this incredible book that covers them both is amazing. I love the incredible photographs throughout the book, the creative activity ideas, the many comparisons between the two kinds of travel and so much more. Our favorite chapter starts with the pictures of living areas in a space habitat and sea habitat. The concepts of living and working in these two environments is fascinating and the facts Swanson chose to include are absorbing. The text is dense so I definitely recommend this one for 6 and up, but for a space fan or ocean fan it is a must read.
22. Eight Days Gone
by Linda McReynolds
illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke
Poetic, rhyming version of the first moon landing. I love this one for reading aloud and especially for younger listeners. The text is brief, the illustrations are beautiful. If you’re looking for more lyrical nonfiction for your toddler or preschooler that shares the basic events of the Apollo Moon Landing, this is lovely.
23. Hey-Ho, To Mars We’ll Go!
by Susan Lendroth
illustrated by Bob Kolar
A book you can sing about space. This is kind of preschool read aloud perfection. You can sing this book to the tune of “The Farmer and the Dell,” but that’s not our favorite part. The best part of this book is that the illustrations rotate around the page so you have to keep turning the book to mimic the floating and lack of gravity in space. Such a cute detail that amused us to no end.
24. Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars
by Richard Ho
illustrated by Katerine Roy
This one sets you down on the red planet. The illustrations feel immersive and bring Mars and all of it’s texture and grit and redness to life. This is a story about exploring Mars and in particular Curiosity the most recent rover. The text is simple, but informative. The illustrations are beautiful. I love the back matter, especially the diagram of the rover. Included is also information about Mars and about the other rovers sent to space and the one scheduled to be sent in 2020. There is a sense of adventure and hope that swells up in you as you read this book.
25. Milo’s Moonlight Mission
by Kathleen M. Blasi
illustrated by Petronela Dostalova
MILO’S MOONLIGHT MISSION is a story with which every child can relate. Milo wants to play space with his mom, but she’s busy working and cooking. He’s a good sport and willing to help, but they still run out of time. He learns that the next morning there will be a meteor shower early in the morning, but it seems like Mom might be too busy for that as well. Lyrical language tells this relatable story about a busy parent and layers an interesting science event on top for kids who love space. This is one of many amazing books for kids who love space – the rest of our favorites are on the blog. Full booklist link is in my profile.
Activity Ideas?
If you’d like to extend your reading experience a little, the post below offers some story time ideas along with some fun interactive, book inspired space themed activities.
Blast Off Stars and Space Story Time
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