Summer Books and Activities for Kids

The Night Sky

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Great Fiction & Nonfiction Books

Age Level: 3-6 years old

A is for Astronaut: Exploring Space from A to Z

By: Traci N. Todd | Illustrated by: Sarah Gillingham

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

The alphabet is the device used to pique curiosity about astronomy, space travel and things related from A to Z. Illustrations use different media to create the look from the Sputnik era for a playful introduction.

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A Long Way Away: A Two-Way Story

By: Frank Viva

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Starting in space, an alien family bids adieu to their offspring (they look a lot like octopuses) who then head for earth landing in the ocean. When read the other way, he journeys home. The vertical format and strong design create a sophisticated literary and visual jaunt.

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I Want to Be an Astronaut

By: Byron Barton | Illustrated by: Byron Barton

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A young girl declares her longing to 'fly on the shuttle into outer space.' The familiar acts of eating, sleeping, and working become intense and special as she and the rest of the crew go about their business. The illustrations positively glow in this simple, lyrical picture book that will have nearly everyone off and flying. [School Library Journal review]

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Our Stars

By: Anne Rockwell | Illustrated by: Anne Rockwell

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Scientists use telescopes and satellites to study the stars. But even though they're far away, stars are part of your world, too! Just lift up your eyes to see. The author/illustratorl explains the universe with bright pictures and simple text in a book that will delight any curious child's mind. [Amazon review]

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Stars

By: Mary Lyn Ray | Illustrated by: Marla Frazee

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

From tiny white strawberry blossoms in the spring to snowflakes in the winter, from the tip of a wand to the points of a sheriff’s badge, from the shape you make when you turn a cartwheel to the twinkling night lights in the sky, stars are all around us. We only have to look, this dreamy book tells us. [Washington Post review]

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Thanking the Moon

By: Grace Lin | Illustrated by: Grace Lin

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

As they did for the Lunar New Year, each family member contributes to the preparations for the mid-autumn moon festival. Their special picnic includes mooncakes and tea as well as affection. An author's note not only informs but may inspire other celebrations.

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What's Out There? A Book about Space

By: Lynn Wilson | Illustrated by: Paige Billin-Frye

Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader

What is the sun made of? What causes night and day? Why does the moon change shape? Colorful collage illustrations and an easy-to-understand text bring planets, stars, comets, and the wondrous things out there in space right down to earth in a simple introduction to the solar system for young armchair astronauts. [Amazon review]

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Age Level: 6-9 years old

A Full Moon Is Rising

By: Marilyn Singer | Illustrated by: Julia Cairns

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Come along on a whirlwind tour of the world to discover an amazing collection of full moon celebrations, beliefs, customs, and facts.

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Faces of the Moon

By: Bob Crelin | Illustrated by: Leslie Evans

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

A rhyming text in an intriguing format introduces the moon's cyclical nature — its phases. An informational note concludes this introductory look at the moon and why it appears to change.

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Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors

By: Jane Drake, Ann Love | Illustrated by: Heather Collins

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Outdoor adventures await adults and children throughout the year. Illustrated, easy to follow instructions and a can-do approach are sure to inspire readers of all ages to learn as they choose from a range of games and activities with background information included.

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How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

By: Jerrie Oughton | Illustrated by: Lisa Desimini

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Richly hued illustrations are used to show how First Woman tried to guide humans by providing the "laws of the world" by writing them in the sky with her jewels (the stars). Things change, however, when trickster Coyote tries to help, tires of the task, and then tosses the rest of the jewels into the night sky with beautiful if chaotic results.

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I, Galileo

By: Bonnie Christensen

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

The voice of an old, blind Galileo Galilei is used to look back on a life that started in Pisa where early on he challenged tradition. Though confined, the elderly Galileo asserts that, "The truth has a way of escaping into the light." Bold lines border illustrations to evoke time and place, enhanced by spot illustrations of Galileo's work and observations.

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Look Up! Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer

By: Robert Burleigh | Illustrated by: Raul Colon

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Meet Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th century pioneer for women in science. From careful observations, Leavitt discovered that the brightness of a star determines its distance from Earth and her work helped us better understand the vastness of the universe. Warm colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by Colon create a contemplative mood. Back matter includes quotes about stars, a glossary, information about other female astronomers, and more.

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On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein

By: Jennifer Berne | Illustrated by: Vladimir Radunsky

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

As a child, he was a late talker but as he grew up, Albert Einstein never stopped asking questions. The man whose ideas and questions changed the world is presented in engaging, child-like illustrations and easy but surprisingly informative text.

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Out of this World: Poems and Facts about Space

By: Amy Sklansky | Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Poems combine with information and evocative illustrations to create a sense of wonder about space and space-related topics. Beginning with a countdown ("T-minus:/10/9/8…./Spaceship soaring!") and concluding with a child wondering about "My Place" in the universe, this intriguing collection is sure to delight readers.

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Stargazers

By: Gail Gibbons | Illustrated by: Gail Gibbons

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

A series of star-spattered night skies done in rich blues and purples gives this introduction to the universe and the practice of astronomy an appealing look. A diverse cast &mdsh; ancient and modern, adults and children, scientists and amateurs — peer through lenses, or point and smile. Gibbons discusses the nature of stars and constellations, how to find particular ones and why they seem to move, two kinds of optical telescopes, and how a planetarium works, closing with a simple time line and a page of random star facts. [School Library Journal review]

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Starry Sky

By: Kate Hayden , Deborah Lock

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

From DK Readers allow beginning readers, learn about constellations, galleries, stars, the Sun, and more.

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Stars

By: Seymour Simon

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Do aliens come from the stars? What is that twinkling out there? How long does it take for a star's light to reach Earth? Stunning photographs, computer-generated, and clear text present basic information about stars, sure to pique curiosity.

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The Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale

By: Joseph Bruchac, Gayle Ross

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Have you ever wondered how the Milky Way came to be? According to a Cherokee legend, it started when an old couple learned that their corn was being stolen by a Great Spirit dog. To get away, the spirit dog jumps into the sky, spilling the corn. And we can still see the results today in the night sky.

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The Moon Book

By: Gail Gibbons | Illustrated by: Gail Gibbons

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

This introductory book offers young children information about the moon: its orbit and phases, its place in solar and lunar eclipses, its effect on Earth's oceans, moon exploration, and the legends the moon has inspired in various cultures. Written clearly yet without too much detail, the text moves along quickly. The pictures and diagrams deserve study, as they help readers visualize such concepts as how the moon moves in relation to the earth and the sun and why it seems to change shape. [Booklist review]

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The Sky is Full of Stars

By: Franklyn Branley | Illustrated by: Felicia Bond

Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Young stargazers learn about different star colors and brightness, how to locate major constellations, and how to make mini-planetariums by using coffee cans and flashlights.

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Age Level: 9-12 years old

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

By: Grace Lin

Age Level: 9-12 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader

Join Minli as she journeys to save her village and her family from a dreary fate by seeking out the Old Man of the Moon, who holds everyone's destiny. A storyteller's voice effectively brings to life this unforgettable award-winning novel, illustrated with exquisite Chinese paintings.

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Start with a Book

The Night Sky

Great Fiction & Nonfiction Books

Age Level: 3-6 years old

Age Level: 6-9 years old

Age Level: 9-12 years old

Reading Tip of the Day!

More great summer resources for parents from Reading Rockets

Read Aloud Tips

Downloadables

The Night Sky

Reading Adventure Packs

Great Fiction & Nonfiction Books

Age Level: 3-6 years old

Age Level: 6-9 years old

Age Level: 9-12 years old

More The Night Sky resources

Meet the Authors

Growing Readers: Parent Tips

Hands-on Activities and CraftsBuild on what you're learning together through books with these family-friendly activities, experiments, and crafts.

Summer WritingGive kids a chance to flex their writing muscles all Summer long. Try one of these prompts from our writing contest archives.

Great Websites for KidsDive deeper into topics of interest with these media-rich and interactive sites.

Mobile Apps"Slide to unlock" learning with these educational apps, recommended by Common Sense Media.

Related Things to Do, Places to Go in Washington DC

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Events

Reading Tip of the Day!

More great summer resources for parents from Reading Rockets

Read Aloud Tips

Downloadables

Great Fiction & Nonfiction Books

Hands-on Activities and Crafts
Build on what you're learning together through books with these family-friendly activities, experiments, and crafts.

Summer Writing
Give kids a chance to flex their writing muscles all Summer long. Try one of these prompts from our writing contest archives.

Great Websites for Kids
Dive deeper into topics of interest with these media-rich and interactive sites.

Mobile Apps
"Slide to unlock" learning with these educational apps, recommended by Common Sense Media.