Stars, planets, moon, solar system, space shuttles, rockets continue to fascinate the kids. Here are 30 books about space, planets, solar systems for children.
Written in simple language, with pictures and infographics, thtese books are perfect for all the present and future space enthusiasts.
Also explore the space picture books for younger kids here.
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Space, Planets, Solar System Books For Kids (7-16 Years)
Check out these popular and fascinating children’s books about outer space below.
Beyond the Solar System
In this book, author Mary Kay Carson traces our understanding of the astronomy and planetary system from the beginning of time. From thinking of earth being the center of the universe to many recent discoveries of the solar system, the entire timeline is covered.
21 hands-on projects make the learning fun. Also, read mini-biographies of famous astronauts who have contributed to advancing human knowledge of the solar system.
Suitable Age: 9 years and above
50 Space Missions that Changed the World
The first spacecraft was launched in 1957. Since then, technology has made rapid progress, and we are now talking about space tourism. This book includes 50 of the greatest space missions. Read about Voyager’s Grand Tour, the first crewed mission to the Moon, the first woman in space, the first communication satellite that brought live television to the world, etc.
Suitable age: 6-10 years
13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System
This National geographic book is authored by David Aguilar of the Harvard Smithsonian Astronomical Observatory and contains all the latest discoveries of the solar system. Read about the 13 planets in their newly created categories.
Learn about the Oort cloud, comets, meteorites, etc. Also included are many fun facts. Why is Mercury silent? Could life be possible on one of Saturn’s moons? How did the earth’s moon form?
Suitable Age: 8 to 12 years
Sky Gazing
Observe the night sky with the naked eye and learn the science behind the visual. Find and observe objects without binoculars or telescopes. The included star charts explain how to spot constellations through the seasons and in both hemispheres.
Learn the science behind eclipses, northern lights, meteor showers, the aurora, etc. Also included are many interesting hands-on activities, profiles of professional astronomers, current issues.
Suitable Age: 9 – 14 years
The Astronaut With a Song for the Stars
Read the story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa – a space pioneer and talented flutist. Growing up as an immigrant child, Ellen wanted to become a professional flutist. However, she developed an interest in engineering in college and eventually went on to become a NASA astronaut. The biography is complete with fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Dr. Ochoa herself!
Suitable age: 5 to 10 years
Space A Visual Encyclopedia
The Space encyclopedia has the most up-to-date information and images from space agencies such as NASA and ESA. It includes interesting details about the Solar System, space exploration, black holes, dark matter, and more. Info panels, timelines, interviews, diagrams, and activities make the learning fun.
Suitable age: 9 – 12 years
Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
This bestselling book is written by celebrated astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and adapted by Gregory Mone for kids. Introduce your child to the exciting field and the principles of cosmos with easily readable bite-sized information. Also included are 40 colored illustrations.
Suitable Age: 9 – 12 years
The Complete Guide to Space Exploration
How was the first-ever spacecraft, Sputnik launched? Land on the moon with Neil Armstrong. Read about International Space Station. Find out how to land on an asteroid or comet.
Take a tour of Space Exploration through different periods. Starting with the first telescope to the exploration of space tourism in the future – everything is covered. Added infographics, maps, illustrations, photos from NASA Hubble Telescope – make this a memorable journey.
Suitable Age: 9 – 12 years
What is The Solar System? Astronomy Book for Kids
Let your child learn about the solar system from this Astronomy book by Baby Professor. The text flows easily and explains the complex concept in simple child-friendly language. Real-life colorful images make learning fun.
Suitable Age: 8 to 12 years
Everything Space
What is space? What is a galaxy? What is a planet and what is not one? What are the different layers of the atmosphere? How are stars born, and how do they turn into supernovas?
Read the answers to all these questions and more in this National Geographic book. A complete space book with facts, beautiful pictures, and tons of fun learning for kids.
Suitable Age: 8 to 12 years
Sally Ride: A Photobiography of America’s Pioneering Woman in Space
Read about the formative years and inspiring journey of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. An excellent tennis player at the competitive level, she earned her Ph.D. in physics. Written by Tam O’Shaughnessy, her longtime life partner, this book is a gem of photos, anecdotal remembrances – documented in a special way. An inspiring book for girls, especially.
Suitable age: 10 – 14 years
The Apollo Missions for Kids
Read about NASA’s ambitious Apollo missions: a complicated, dangerous, and expensive adventure involving 400,000 people. NASA astronauts had made eleven Apollo flights, six of which landed on the moon. The book also includes 21 hands-on activities to better understand the science behind.
Suitable age: 9 + years
Telescopes for Kids
Your kid will learn how to choose a telescope, how to set it up and check out the beautiful night sky exploring the star and the galaxy. A detailed visual guide for 40 objects (stars, planets, etc) sighting is provided. Kids can explore others on their own, once they learn to identify the important ones. Also included are fun facts like- how do constellations get their names.
Suitable Age: 6 to 9 years
The Mysteries of the Universe
Take your little astronaut on a journey from the earth to space through planets, stars, galaxies. Each page of the book comes with a beautiful large image of the object and interesting detailed information about it. Learn about the volcanoes of Venus and the milky way and such 100 celestial objects. Included are facts, myths, and many important discoveries.
Suitable Age: 7 – 11 years
Space Dictionary for Kids
This book is a complete dictionary about everything space. Understand cosmology, stars, galaxies, the solar system, space exploration, and exoplanets, astrobiology, and more. More than 100 concepts are explained with examples, explanations, diagrams, quizzes, and sometimes short activities.
Suitable Age: 9 – 12 years
Eyewitness Workbooks Stars & Planets
Explore space and astronomy with this activity book. Each section of the book includes topics with facts on stars, galaxies, planets, the Universe, space travel, etc. Using this information, complete the puzzle given in the section.
Other hands-on activities include drawing a scale model of the Solar System, creating a lunar eclipse. There are also quizzes to test the learning.
Suitable Age: 8 – 12 years
Space!: The Universe as You’ve Never Seen It Before
This is the ultimate space encyclopedia for teens and young adults – featuring everything in the solar system. Read about the birth of the solar system, understand the complete structure and parts of space stations, all about the sun and its different zones, and the planets. Facts, infographics, incredible CGI images- make the learning interesting.
Suitable Age: 10 – 17 years
The Faces, Err Phases, of the Moon
This astronomy book for kids explains the different phases of the moon and how do they affect lives on the Earth. Also included are fun experiments to understand the moon phases.
Suitable age: 8 – 12 years
Universe
Take a look at the history of the Universe and how astronomy evolved through time. 3D artworks provide a comprehensive guide to the fundamental concepts of astronomy. Understand the formation of different celestial objects and read about interesting phenomena. It also includes a star atlas with entries of all the 88 constellations and a monthly night sky guide showing the appearance throughout the year as viewed from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Suitable age: 10 – 17 years
How We Got to the Moon
Read the awes-inspiring story and technology behind the moon landing. How 400,000 engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers worked together, innovated, and made this technological leap possible for NASA. Get a complete overview of the moon rocket design. An inspiring read for future astronauts and technology lovers.
Suitable age: 10 – 17 years
Ultimate Space Atlas
Explore the solar system, the Milky Way, deep space and take a closer look at the planets, supernovas, and other universes with the sky maps provided. Captivating details about the space objects, games, activities – keep the young readers engaged.
Suitable age: 8 – 12 years
Space Coloring Book for Kids
Learn to draw and color all kinds of celestial objects, rockets etc with this book. 30 full pages planets, space ships, and more are perfect to keep the kids engaged.
Suitable age: 6 – 12 years
This Is Rocket Science
Use everyday items like bottles, cardboard, glue, tape, etc – to build rocket ships, mobile rocket launch pads, and more with this activity book. And learn the concepts like speed, gravity, air resistance. Featuring 70 activities and 60 photographs, this book is a space lover’s delight/
Suitable age: 7 – 12 years
What Is NASA?
NASA started in the year 1958, with the United States hoping to win the space race against the Soviet Union. Since then, it has come a long way and became the subject of aspiration for space-loving kids worldwide. Read the history and formation of NASA and all the important missions and discoveries it has made in this book.
Suitable age: 8 – 12 years
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover
On August 6, 2012, the NASA rover Curiosity landed on the red planet Mars. How did Curiosity get her name? What tools did she carry for her mission? What is her mission? Read all about from ideation to creation of this popular rover, in this fun illustrated book.
Suitable age: 8 – 12 years
Awesome Space Tech
Deep dive into outer space with this infographics book. It is a world of telescopes, high-speed spacecraft, comets, far away planets. Kids will enjoy the illustrations and love reading the fun details about complex concepts.
Suitable age: 9 – 12 years
A User’s Guide to the Universe
Get the answers to big questions like string theory, quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and the beginning of time. Written in a conversational and entertaining tone, along with funny cartoons, this book explains even the roughest of concepts in an easy way.
One of the best books ever written on the Universe, this one is a collector’s item.
Suitable age: YA
The Story of Earth: The First 4.5 Billion Years
This book explains the evolution of the earth in a geological as well as biological context. With scientific backing, the author explains the formation of the solar system, to the likely death of the planet 5 billion years from now. This one is an advanced read for teens and YA.
Suitable age: YA
Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut’s Story
This is the autobiography of astronaut Michael Collins. Starting with his early days as an Air Force test pilot, his training at NASA, and eventually, in the Apollo 11 mission, Collins narrates his fascinating journey in this informative and easy read.
Suitable age: 10 to 16 years
Women in Space
Read about the 23 pioneering female astronauts, cosmonauts, mission specialists who broke gender stereotypes and excelled in space programs. It is a comfortable and inspiring read
Suitable age: 12+ years
