Looking for a few fun and interesting outer space books for a budding astronomer or astronaut? We have gone through a dozen of good books to find the most suitable ones.
These picture books- while being visually appealing are also informational – making them ideal for kindergarten and elementary kids.
- For younger kids, check out the space books for toddlers here.
- Explore more books on space, planets, solar system for kids age 9+ here.
Also, check out more science fiction picture books here.
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Table of contents
25 Best Picture Books About Space
kindergartener
Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket
Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket. Small Sadie Sprocket wants to go to Mars. So she learns everything on the subject and gathers her trusted stuffed animals to help build the rocket. Together they complete the rocket and travel to Mars.
But what awaits Sadie and her team there? Would she be able to travel back to earth safely. A fun and fiction space exploration book for kindergarten and above.
If You Decide To Go To The Moon
If You Decide To Go To The Moon. Learn how to prepare for your journey to the moon. And most importantly, read about how to get back to earth. From packing, food, traveling through space – this book guides readers all through the way.
I Want to Be an Astronaut
I Want to Be an Astronaut. What do NASA astronauts do in the space shuttle? How do they survive? Read about all of them in this fascinating book. From space-walks, ready-to-eat food, zero gravity, and even doing scientific work, all topics are touched.
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe. This rhyming picture book is the perfect introduction to 4-year-olds about the Black-hole. The story is adorable and a parody of the “There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a fly” series.
Use a black light to reveal the planets and other space objects. The artwork is wacky and silly.
Clara and Clem in Outer Space
Clara and Clem in Outer Space. Clara and Clem build a robot out of building blocks. From then on, the imagination takes over.
Soon the robot takes them to outer space. Seeing planets, stars, aliens from so near is fun. A simple space picture book for beginner readers.
Me and My Place in Space
Me and My Place in Space. This book is a perfect introduction to space and solar systems for future space enthusiasts. A young astronaut explains all about outer space, starting with the earth as the center.
Travel past each planet, star and learn about them. Simple language, easy to understand diagrams are suitable for young learners.
There’s No Place Like Space
There’s No Place Like Space. This book features popular characters from Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat.
Explore the wonders of outer space and learn about the solar system, planets, constellations, astronauts, and more. This space book is popular and highly recommended.
Solar System for Kids
Solar System for Kids. A complete solar system guide for 5-year-olds – everything that circles the sun. Starting with how the universe was created to the scientific discoveries of galaxies, stars, dwarf planets – this nonfiction book has everything. It is filled with interesting facts for young readers.
Astronauts
Astronauts. Join the astronauts in the journey to International Space Station (ISS). Learn how they work and live in zero gravity. It is an interactive push-pull-slide book for kids age 4 years and above.
On the Moon
On the Moon. Take a trip to everyone’s favorite moon with this beautiful picture book. With real pictures, fun puzzles, interesting stories – it holds a wealth of information. This space book is designed for beginner readers to motivate them to read.
Peppa in Space
Peppa in Space. This space theme book is for Peppa Pig fans. Join Peppa Pig on her visit to the museum and learn about outer space.
Take pretend trips through the plants and to the moon. It is a fun book for 4-year-olds to get an idea about outer space.
Space
Space. What can be more fun for space enthusiast kids than coloring planets, stars, spaceships! Different activities and big drawings of astronauts, rockets, aliens, meteors, sun, moon are enough to provide endless hours of fun learning to young kids.
Age 6 – 8 Years
If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon
If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon. How would a birthday party in the Moon be? Read this book and find out. Jumping in the low gravity would be fun. While candles and balloons would behave differently than the earth! Kids would also learn about the scientific reasoning behind them.
Astronaut Handbook
Astronaut Handbook. This one is a nonfiction book for future space explorers. Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? Ride in the “Vomit Comet”, feel weightlessness, have thousands of measurements taken for your spacesuit.
A highly detailed and visually appealing space picture book suitable for elementary kids.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures. Read about – Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden – four incredible black women who helped in NASA’s journey to Space.
An inspiring book for future math and space enthusiasts of different races and gender.
Mousetronaut
Mousetronaut. This picture book is written by retired NASA astronaut Commander Mark Kelly and is based on a true story. It details facts about how animals are used in a space mission.
The story talks about a little mouse that works as hard as other big ones and finally gets chosen for the space mission. When disaster stuck abroad, only the smallest of the crew could save the day.
A book highlighting the power of small, even in something as big as space mission.
Mae Among the Stars
Mae Among the Stars. This beautiful picture book is about Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space. Even as a little girl, Mae dreamt of being in space. Her parent’s encouraging words and belief in herself made Mae create history.
A book inspiring kids from underprivileged backgrounds to reach for the stars.
Zoo in the Sky
Zoo in the Sky. It is an award-winning book about constellations. Your child would learn to connect and draw the animals in the sky. From the Great Dog chasing the Hare to Little Bear and the Great Bear in the Northern Sky, there are many animal pictures rendered.
With stunning pictures and simple texts, this book is a delightful read.
Welcome to Mars
Welcome to Mars. Written by Buzz Aldrin, a celebrated American astronaut, this book implores young kids to think of Mars as a future home.
Find out how will living on Mars be like. How will you travel to the red planet, what will you eat there. A fun and fascinating read for elementary kids.
The Moon Book
The Moon Book. This is a simple book introducing all about the moon and how it affects the earth and our life. From causing ocean tides to how eclipses happen and many such things are explained in detail.
Up to date information based on recent discoveries, the latest map of the moon, legends, trivia, etc makes this a perfect book for budding astronomers.
Astronaut Training
Astronaut Training. Astrid wants to go to space and preparing hard to be an astronaut. So she builds her own shuttle, prepares food for space travel, completes the training – all with the help of her loving dad.
A great book showcasing preparedness needed for any journey, and highlighting the loving father-child relationship.
If I Were an Astronaut
If I Were an Astronaut. What all you can do, if made an astronaut. Find out in this charming book. With beginner reader friendly language and beautiful illustrations, this book details the activities astronaust carry out.
Margaret and the Moon
Margaret and the Moon. Read about Margaret Hamilton, without whose code space missions of Apollo 8. Apollo 9. Apollo 10. Apollo 11 would not have been possible.
From a child in love with maths to studying at MIT and finally joining NASA – this inspiring story is for girls who love maths and love to code.
Once Upon a Starry Night
Once Upon a Starry Night. Learn all about constellations in this stunningly illustrated National Geographic book. Take a ride through the night sky and read the stories of ten ancient Greek and Roman mythology. The art is vibrant and text poetic.
Max Goes to the Space Station
Max Goes to the Space Station. Join Max, the dog on his trip to the International Space Station. Read about the adventure where astronaut Max saves everyone from a potential disaster.
This book has tons of helpful information about space travel, making it a suitable read for early elementary.
Short on Time? Check Our Favorite Space Books
All the above space books are informational, colorful and interesting – perfect for kindergarten to elementary kids. However below four books remain our absolute favorites.
- If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon – A fun and information moon book.
- Me and My Place in Space – Best overview of the solar system in simple language.
- Mae Among the Stars – An inspiring read featuring diverse character.
- Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket – A fun read for younger kids.
