Do you have a budding astronaut who’s learning to read or looking for new book ideas?
We love learning about space. In fact, I even wrote my own space story The Rocket that Flew to Mars. This picture book that explores how humans would build the first house on Mars.
Along with that, we also read a TON of picture books about Space, Rockets, and Mars. So, I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorites from the past couple of years!
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If you want to avoid shopping on Amazon, I suggest checking Bookshop or your local bookstores instead.
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I’ve grouped them in categories, starting with . . .
The super cute picture books:
Life on Mars, by John Agee. When a young astronaut arrives on Mars, he is the first to explore the barren planet. He’s determined to show the doubters wrong and prove that there is indeed Life on Mars.
If You Decide to Go to the Moon, by Faith McNulty, illustrated by Steven Kellogg. A fun mix of science and imagination. Plus, I recognized the illustrator’s style from another book we’ve read—The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, another whimsical adventure!
Astronaut Handbook, Meghan Mccarthy. Set back in the days of the space shuttle, so it’s somewhat outdated now, but still a fun read. In this book, kids get to practice astronaut training as they get ready for a big mission.
Exploring space from earth:
How the Meteorite Got to the Museum, by Jessie Hartland. A goofy cumulative tale, about a real meteorite. This one soared through space, before entering Earth’s atmosphere and crashed into a red Chevy car. But then what happened to it?
Bright Sky, Starry City, by Uma Krishnaswami. A great story about star-gazing—and the things that can get in the way of star-gazing, literally.
Science stories about space exploration:
You Are the First Kid on Mars, by Patrick O’Brien. A slightly longer picture book. This story imagines the journey of the first humans to reach Mars.
My Journey to the Stars, by Scott Kelly. The true-story version of Astronaut Handbook. It describes how astronaut Scott Kelly trained for his year-long mission on board the International Space Station. It’s longer and more detailed as well, with gorgeous artwork.
Discovering New Planets, by Mae Jemison. A real-life science exploration by an astronaut-turned-children’s-author.
Mission to Mars, by Franklyn M Branley. A fairly comprehensive discussion of Mars in ancient and modern history.
How Do Space Vehicles Work?, by Buffy Silverman. How does a rocket get to space? From launch to landing, the story of the Soyuz’s journey into space.
Extra science-y stories for older kids:
Destination Mars, by Seymour Simon. This author has a ton of non-fiction/science books for independent readers. And, all of them have incredible photos.
Mars: a DK Eyewitness Book, by Stuart Murray. If kids want to learn about something, DK Eyewitness Books is one of the best places to start. It’s got photos, science, and lots of easy-to-read factoids.
Need more ideas?
Check out my updated post with 40+ books about space ranging from picture books to middle-grade science books!
Be sure to check out my own picture book, The Rocket that Flew to Mars. This book was inspired by all the times we watched SpaceX launches as a family.
Do you have a favorite space-themed picture book to recommend? I’d love to hear about them! Feel free to share your favorites in the comments.
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