101 Best Space Books for Kids

I remember, growing up, I was fascinated with outer space and space travel. I didn’t care too much for other types of science, but astronomy always caught my interest. My girls have followed suit. So we’ve made a list of the 101 best books about space for kids. I’ve included both fiction books and non-fiction space books appropriate for a number of grade levels. Little kids that like to memorize facts about each planet, the stars, moon, galaxy, and of course the Milky Way, will delve into the colorful illustrations and be thrilled!

Whether you are doing an outer space unit study or simply reading with your child at home, these books are a perfect cross between fun and facts. Grab a few of these fantastic books and watch your kids be wowed!

How do you teach kids space?

Teaching kids about space can be an exciting journey filled with wonder and exploration. Introduce them to the vast universe by incorporating resources like NASA’s educational materials, astronomy books tailored for young readers, and captivating visuals of satellites and spaceships.

Dive into the history of space missions with an autobiography by Buzz Aldrin, or discuss the story of Venetia Burney, the first kid that named Pluto. Ignite their curiosity and provide a foundational understanding of our cosmos, inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.

On Life Over C’s we share 75+ great activities for learning about space. You can find all of our space activities for kids here: Space Activities for Kids

Fun Outer Space Books

Dive into captivating narratives and interactive experiences, from pop-up books that bring the lunar surface to life, to young readers’ edition designed to ignite curiosity and inspire a love for space exploration from an early age. Whether you’re seeking educational insights or enchanting visuals, discover engaging titles that will transport readers on an interstellar adventure without leaving the comfort of home.

Picture Books about Space

Picture books about space play a pivotal role in captivating young minds and sparking curiosity about the cosmos. Designed with vibrant illustrations and intriguing facts, these books not only entertain but also educate, weaving together captivating visuals and accessible information to wow young readers. By immersing children in imaginative narratives and accurate depictions, picture books about space ignite a passion for exploration, fostering a lifelong interest in astronomy and space science from an early age.

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Moustronaut

By Astronaut Mark Kelly

 

 

Rocket the Space Giraffe

By Suzanne Shepard

 

 

The Darkest Dark

By Astronaut Chris Hadfield

 

 

Orion and the Dark

By Emma Yarlett

 

 

If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon

By Joyce Lapin

 

 

Moon A Peek-Through Picture Book

By Britta Teckentrup

 

 

Moon! The Earth’s Best Friend

By Stacy McAnulty

 

 

If You Decide to Go to the Moon

By Faith McNulty

 

 

There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe

by Chris Ferrie

 

 

There Was an Old Astronaut Who Swallowed the Moon

By Lucille Colandro

 

 

There Was an Old Martian Who Swallowed the Moon

By Jennifer Ward

 

 

The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System

by Joanna Cole

 

 

Pete the Cat Out of This World

By James Dean

 

 

Curious George Gets a Medal

By H.A. Rey

 

 

Where’d the Moon Go?

by Jane E. Chanaca

 

 

Moon’s First Friends

By Susanna Leonard Hill

 

 

I Took the Moon for a Walk

ByCarolyn Curtis and Alison Jay

 

 

Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me

by Eric Carle

 

 

Max and the Tag-along Moon

By Floyd Cooper

 

 

My Little Golden Book About the First Moon Landing

By Chip Lovitt

 

 

Stella’s Starry Adventure

by K.P. Zowal

 

 

Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under the Stars

By Meg Codts

 

 

How the Stars Fell into the Sky

By Jamie Oughton

 

 

Clara and the Constellations

by Allie Davis

 

 

How to Catch a Star

By Oliver Jeffers

 

 

Star in the Jar

By Sam Hay

 

 

5 Little Dwarf Planets

by K.J. Field

 

 

Ninja’s Go Into Space

By Mary Nhin

 

 

Luna Lucy

By Lisa Van Der Widen

 

 

Arial, the Astronaut

by Mary Nhin

 

 

Aliens Love Underpants

by Claire Feedman & Ben Cort

 

 

Nuts in Space

by Elys Dolan

 

 

Otter in Space

by Matheuz Hetfield

 

 

Stars (Classic Board Books)

by Mary Lyn Ray

 

 

A Place for Pluto

by Steve Wade

 

 

Goodnight, Astronauts

by Adman Gamble

 

 

Goodnight, Spaceman

by Michelle Robinson

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Famous People in Space

Teaching children about famous people in space bridges their backyard telescope views with real-life adventures and achievements, inspiring a tangible connection to the cosmos. Introducing them to a good biography about astronauts and space pioneers transforms distant stars into relatable stories, fueling curiosity and making space exploration both fascinating and accessible from an early age.

 

 

Mae Among the Stars

by Rosa Ahmed

 

 

Mae Jemison

by Mary Nhin

 

 

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

by Helaine Becker

 

 

I am Neil Armstrong (Ordinary People Change the World)

by Brad Meltzer

 

 

Leland Melvin, Leaders Like Us

by J.P. Miller

 

 

My Journey to the Stars

by Scott Kelly

Alphabet Space Books for Kids

Space-themed alphabet books for kids intertwine essential early childhood learning with the captivating realm of space exploration. By merging the fundamentals of the alphabet with cosmic wonders, these books not only reinforce crucial literacy skills but also ignite young imaginations, making the learning journey both engaging and memorable.

 

 

Alphabet in Space

by R.M. Smith

 

 

A is for Astronaut

 

 

R is for Rocket

by Tad Hills

 

 

ABC Universe

 

 

ABC’s of Space

 

 

Exploring Space A to Z

Multi-Sensory Space Books for Preschoolers

It’s never too early to explore space with little ones. Multi-sensory books are a great way to give kids the hands-on sensory experiences they need while also introducing fascinating facts about our universe.

 

 

Trace and Chase Journey in Space

 

 

Touch & Feel Outer Space

 

 

Pop-Up Peekaboo Space

 

 

Lift the Flap Look Inside Space

 

 

Peek a Flap Space

by Jaye Garnett

 

 

First Explorers Astronauts

 

 

The Pop-Up Gude: Space

 

 

Soaring Spaceship A Touch and Feel Board Book

 

 

Our Solar System Touch and Feel Board Book

 

 

My Best Ever Pop-Up Space Book

 

 

I Heart Pluto

 

 

Where’s the Astronaut? Board Book

 

 

Journey to the Moon: A Pop-Up Lunar Adventure

 

 

Touch the Brightest Star

Children’s Math Books About Space

Educators know the importance of tying math concepts to real world concepts and examples. It’s the best way to keep kids engaged and help them understand how mathematical concepts actually apply to the real world.

 

 

On the Launch Pad

by Michael Dahl

 

 

Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes

 

 

A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars

Non-Fiction Books About Space

Introducing kids to non-fiction books about space, featuring figures like Patrick O’Brien, Bruce Betts, and Margaret Hamilton, enriches their understanding of the universe while highlighting key contributors to space science, sparking admiration and curiosity.

 

 

Me, and My Place in Space

by Joan Sweeney

 

 

The Moon Book

by Gail Gibbons

 

 

Exploring the Solar System

by Jill McDonald

 

 

8 Little Planets of the Solar System

 

 

My First Book of Planets

by yAmerlia Sealey

 

 

Space (Step into Reading)

by Joe Rhatigan

 

 

There’s No Place Like Space

by Tish Rabe

 

 

The Solar System for Kids: Learn about the Planets, the Sun & the Moon

 

 

National Geographic Readers: Night Sky

by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

 

 

National Geographic Kids Plants

by Elizabeth Carney

 

 

Roaring Rockets

by Tony Mitton

Factoid Books About Space

Sharing quick facts about the international space station, or the planets in the galaxy, is a really fun way to generate interest among young learners. Keep these books handy for those moments when you have a few minutes between activities or you want to spice up a day heading sideways.

 

 

Space

by DK Smithsonian

 

 

The Ultimate Book of Space

by Anne-Sophie Baumann

 

 

Solar System for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Planets, Dwarf Planets and Everything Circling Our Sun

 

 

National Geographic Kids Everything Space

 

 

Super Cool Space Facts: A Fun, Fact-Filled Space Book for Kids

Space Themed Series’ for Kids

 

 

Luna Lucy

by Lisa Van Der Wielen

 

 

Luna Lucy and the Planets

by Lisa Van Der Wielen

 

 

Rylee the Young Rocketeer

by JoAnn M. Dickinson

 

 

Rylee’s Rover Goes to Mars

by JoAnn M. Dickinson

 

 

Luna Muna

by Kellie Gerardi

 

 

Luna Muna: Space Cafe

by Kellie Gerardi

 

 

Hello, World! Solar System

by Jill McDonald

 

 

Hello, World! Moon Landing

by Jill McDonald

 

 

Hello, World! Planet Earth

by Jill McDonald

 

 

I am Moon

by Rebecca and James McDonald

 

 

I am the Solar System

by Rebecca and James McDonald

 

 

I am the Sun

by Rebecca and James McDonald

Books About Astronauts for Kids

 

 

I Want to Be an Astronaut

by Ruby Brown & Alisa Coburn

 

 

Astronaut Handbook

by Meghan McCarthy

 

 

I Want to be… an Astronaut

by Becky Davies

 

 

When I’m an Astronaut

by Dr. Samantha Pillay

 

 

If I Were an Astronaut

by Eric Brown

Books About Stars and Constellations for Kids

Books about stars and constellations captivate young imaginations, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of the night sky. Through vivid illustrations and engaging narratives, these books inspire curiosity, fostering a deeper appreciation for the celestial wonders above.

 

 

Our Stars

by Anne Rockwell

 

 

The Big Dipper Let’s Read and Find Out Science

by Franklyn M. Branley

 

 

Constellations for Kids: An Easy Guide to Discovering the Stars

by Kelsey Johnson

 

 

Star Gazing: A Guide to the moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, and Constellations

by Meg Thacher

 

 

Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations

by Jaqueline Mitton

 

Books can have such a positive impact on what children understand and learn. These books will help teach kids all about Outer Space including the moon, stars, planets and more. Whether it is because they are super interested in it or you feel it is a topic they should learn about, these books are spectacular for a home collection or classroom library!

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