Exploring outer space is a natural fascination for kids, who often look to the stars with wonder and excitement. For young minds curious about the mysteries of the cosmos, children’s books about outer space are a perfect way to bring the universe closer to home. From stories about adventurous astronauts to colorful introductions to planets and galaxies, these books inspire a love of science and the imagination. In this post, I’ve gathered some of the best space-themed picture books for kids, offering a fun, educational journey into the stars.
These books are perfect to incorporate when you are teaching the solar system.
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Children’s Books About Outer Space
There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe This fun Dr. Seuss-inspired book, part of the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, takes young readers on a journey through the solar system. With rhymes and vibrant illustrations, kids learn about each planet and various space facts as they travel with the Cat in the Hat, Thing One, and Thing Two. Children’s books about outer space like this one make complex topics approachable for young readers.
The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield Inspired by the real childhood of astronaut Chris Hadfield, this story follows a young boy named Chris who loves space but is afraid of the dark. When he watches the Apollo 11 moon landing, he discovers that space is full of wonders, and he conquers his fear. It’s an inspiring tale about bravery and following one’s dreams, perfect for any collection of children’s books about outer space.
Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly Written by astronaut Mark Kelly, this book is about a little mouse named Meteor, who joins a space mission. Despite his small size, Meteor’s bravery and quick thinking make him a hero on board. This story teaches kids about space missions, teamwork, and that even the smallest member of a team can make a big difference.
If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty This book takes readers on an imaginary journey to the moon, with beautiful illustrations and poetic language. It explains what they might experience and see, including details about the moon’s landscape and how astronauts might feel so far from Earth. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of space travel and the wonder of outer space. A great addition to children’s books about outer space, it introduces the wonder of space travel.
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed Based on the life of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, this inspiring story shows young Mae as she dreams of exploring space. Despite others doubting her, she pursues her dream and makes history. It’s an empowering book that encourages kids to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals in children’s books about outer space.
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum This visually striking book tells the story of the Curiosity rover, from its design to its journey to Mars. Written from the rover’s perspective, it explains the mission in an engaging way for kids. This book helps kids understand Mars exploration and sparks curiosity about life beyond Earth.
Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy A humorous and informative book that explains the steps to becoming an astronaut, from learning to use space equipment to enduring training exercises. With bold illustrations and a playful tone, this book makes the journey to space feel like an exciting, achievable adventure for kids.
The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk This funny and educational book introduces kids to the Sun and its role in our solar system, with friendly illustrations and easy-to-understand language. It explains the importance of the Sun in supporting life and how it affects the planets, making it a great introduction to space science.
Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery by Margaret Weitekamp and David DeVorkin Told from Pluto’s perspective, this book explains Pluto’s journey from being considered the ninth planet to being reclassified as a dwarf planet. It’s a whimsical story that introduces kids to scientific discovery and changing knowledge about our solar system.
Otter in Space by Sam Garton Otter, the adorable protagonist, becomes fascinated with space and decides to go on her own adventure to the moon. This fun story combines imagination with facts, encouraging young readers to explore space and dream about where their own adventures might take them.
Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker This energetic, rhyming book introduces kids to the basics of rocket travel, from blasting off to re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The engaging illustrations and simple language make it an ideal first book on space for younger elementary students.
How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers This sweet story follows a boy who dreams of catching a star for himself. As he goes on his adventure, he learns about hope, patience, and the magic of the night sky. Jeffers’ charming illustrations and imaginative plot make this a great bedtime read with a space theme. For anyone interested in children’s books about outer space, this story adds a touch of wonder and aspiration.
Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max This delightful book follows a young girl named Astrid, who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Her dad encourages her by talking through the challenges and excitement of space travel, and in the end, Astrid discovers that her mom is an astronaut! It’s an empowering story for young readers with big dreams and is an essential addition to children’s books about outer space.
A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman Through fun illustrations and awe-inspiring numbers, this book gives kids a sense of scale about the universe, from the number of stars in the sky to the number of gallons of water on Earth. It’s a visually engaging way to introduce kids to big concepts about our world and beyond—ideal for fans of children’s books about outer space.
Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing by Dean Robbins This true story follows Margaret Hamilton, a mathematician and software engineer who helped guide Apollo 11 safely to the moon. It’s an empowering read within children’s books about outer space that also highlights women in STEM.
Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood A fun, space-themed twist on the classic fairy tale, this book follows Cinderella, a girl who loves fixing rockets. With the help of a friendly robot and some tools, she becomes a space mechanic and saves the day! This empowering story shows kids that they can be anything they dream of—even in space, making it a must-read in children’s books about outer space.
The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen Though not strictly about space, this book touches on the mysteries of darkness and the unknown. It follows a young boy named Laszlo as he confronts his fear of the dark, exploring themes of bravery that connect well with children curious about the vastness of space. This story fits well in a broader collection of children’s books about outer space for its exploration of curiosity.
The Skies Above My Eyes by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer This beautiful, fold-out book takes kids on a journey from the ground up, through the layers of the sky and into outer space. It’s packed with interesting facts and stunning illustrations that will captivate young readers and teach them about the wonders of the skies—ideal for children’s books about outer space collections.
Gravity by Jason Chin This book explains the concept of gravity in a clear and visual way, using imaginative scenarios to illustrate how gravity works. With simple text and striking illustrations, it’s a great introduction to an essential concept in space science and a valuable part of children’s books about outer space.
The Big Beyond: The Story of Space Travel by James Carter This rhyming, beautifully illustrated book tells the history of space travel, from the first rockets to the moon landing and beyond. It’s both informative and engaging, giving young readers a sense of the adventure and achievements in space exploration—a fascinating read in children’s books about outer space.
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons Known for her educational books, Gail Gibbons explores the phases of the moon, its history, and its role in different cultures. This nonfiction picture book provides factual information with clear, colorful illustrations, making it an excellent choice for children’s books about outer space.
Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg When brothers Danny and Walter discover a board game that transports them into outer space, they must work together to survive its challenges. Though a fictional adventure, the book captures the mystery and excitement of space in Van Allsburg’s signature illustration style, fitting well in a collection of children’s books about outer space.
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian This book of space-themed poetry covers a range of topics in astronomy, from planets to black holes. Each poem is paired with Florian’s playful illustrations, making it a unique and creative way for kids to learn about space, especially for those interested in children’s books about outer space.
Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin Chin masterfully introduces kids to the size of the universe by starting small and working outward, from a young child’s height all the way to the largest known structures in space. It’s both scientifically accurate and visually captivating, perfect for helping kids grasp the scale of the universe—a great addition to children’s books about outer space.
Whether your young reader dreams of being an astronaut or just loves stargazing, these children’s books about outer space are sure to fuel their curiosity and creativity. With beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts, each book opens up new possibilities for learning and discovery. Add some of these titles to your child’s reading list, and watch their fascination with space grow as they explore the wonders of the universe from the comfort of home.
