20 Great Space Books to Celebrate National Astronomy Day

It’s practically impossible to not be enthralled by the enigmatic universe’s vastness. Here are 20 children’s books about space, ranging from astronaut chickens to the verdict on the contentious dwarf planet Pluto, to mark National Astronomy Day (September 30) and pique readers’ curiosity in elementary and middle school about other planets.

  1. A Moon Of My Own by Jennifer Rustgi

For the kid who has traveled the world, it’s Harold and the Purple Crayon. Smartly done graphics show various moon phases from the Eiffel Tower to the Rain Forest as they follow the shadows of a sweet and lively girl all around the globe.

  1. The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara

In this interplanetary retelling of the Three Little Pigs, the mother of young alien siblings Bork, Gork, and Nklxwcyz send them out into space to find their own homes. She doesn’t let them leave without warning: beware of the comet chomping, black hole ripping, Big Bad Robot.

  1. Zelda’s Big Adventure by Marie Alafaci

Zelda will undoubtedly become the foremost chicken in orbit. She does not have much assistance from her chicken friends with her arrangements, like in classic renditions of The Little Red Hen. She persists in holding onto her dazzling goal despite everything.

  1. Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser

Disorder in the universe results from a renegade spacecraft invading Astro, the Astroid’s “personal outer space,” and knocking him out of rotation.

  1. The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield

In his quiet, engrossing biography, spaceman Chris Hadfield describes how, as a little boy, he watched the transmission of the Apollo 11 Lunar mission. The momentous occasion altered Chris’s life, which gave him the courage to follow his ambition of being an investigator of the “Darkest Dark.”

  1. Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing by Dean Robbins

Occasionally, protagonists don tight dresses and oversized eyewear. Everyone will be inspired by this narrative to become top-notch NASA software engineers.

  1. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes

This compilation of information about the lunar surface, celestial bodies, and exoplanets welcome young astronomy fans to linger over its chapters with its large-sized photos and all the engaging factual text elements characteristic of a National Geographic Kids volume.

  1. Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly

Following a voyage with 18 laboratory mice, astronaut Mark Kelly conjured up this story about a courageous tiny rat saving a space expedition. Readers who love the fictitious tale might be motivated to learn more about creature cosmonauts in the actual world.

  1. Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy

“Welcome to Astronaut School!”  This manual includes every step leading up to Blast Off, from developing teamwork skills to practicing on the Vomit Comet.

  1. Out of This World: Poems and Facts About Space by Amy E. Sklansky

The ideal source of lyrical creativity is a trip through the vastness of the cosmos. Each segment of the journey is explained in a subsection.

  1. Meteor! by Patricia Polacco

A summertime visit to her grandparents’ ranch takes an unforeseen twist when a meteorite falls in the field, upsetting the simple routine, according to the legendary writer’s first children’s story to be released.

  1. Next Time You See the Moon by Emily Morgan

This National Science Teachers Association book discusses the causes of the moon’s fluctuating form in a manner that encourages youngsters to go out and take a glance. It was produced by a retired educator on a quest to convince schoolchildren that objects they see often can be amazing. The NSTA also provides materials for teachers in this area.

  1. You Are the First Kid on Mars by Patrick O’Brien

What transportation would you use to reach Mars if you could go there one day? What would you dress like when you eventually reached “the red planet”? In the end, nothing could ever match becoming the first child on Mars.

  1. If You Were a Kid Docking at the International Space Station by Josh Gregory

As their relative Marie talks about her preparation for a voyage to the Spacecraft, Lucy and Tim pay close attention to whatever she says. Her siblings start daydreaming of their potential occupations concerning space after having a webcam conference with Marie on the ISS.

  1. Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin

The moonwalks that Buzz Aldrin performed in front of the world are his greatest accomplishments. What made him achieve that, though? He relates his experience along with exquisite drawings by Wendell Minor, from rock gathering to West Point.

  1. Once Upon a Starry Night by Jacqueline Mitton

Drawings that add metallic constellations to images of fabled characters like Andromeda and Orion add depth to what, let’s admit it, sometimes appears to be just a haphazard collection of lights. This group of constellations is illuminated by a few succinct but memorable tales.

  1. A Full Moon is Rising by Marilyn Singer

How is the full moon celebrated and honored in different ethnicities? Learn more from this compilation of poetry and the contextual knowledge that goes with them.

  1. How Do You Burp In Space?: And Other Tips Every Space Tourist Needs to Know by Susan E. Goodman

Discover why you would not want to carry a can of Coke and how to manage your 2 pounds of permitted baggage if you ever go on a cosmic trip. This booklet makes space flight seem even more enjoyable than Disney Land, notwithstanding its several difficulties.

  1. I Love You, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

As part of a school project, Mamie, age 10, decides to talk to Michael Collins rather than Buzz Aldrin or Neil Armstrong because Collins was the cosmonaut on Apollo 11 who was responsible for sticking to the spacecraft. Since nobody else in her existence appears to stay, she starts to depend on her writing letters.

  1. Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

For Dash,12, being among the foremost children to live on the lunar surface is honestly rather dull. However, when a researcher is found deceased, existence on Moon Base Alpha turns unexpectedly.

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