Stars, Planets and the Night Sky

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.

Oliver Jeffers offers a rare personal look inside his own hopes and wishes for his child — and in doing so gifts children and parents everywhere with a gently sweet and humorous missive about our world and those who call it home. Insightfully sweet, with a gentle humor and poignancy, here is Oliver Jeffers' user's guide to life on Earth.

Blast off into space with this fascinating flip book. Find out how the moon was made, why stars shine and how we know so much about planets that are far, far away.

One sweltering summer night, while the many residents of an apartment building are struggling to fall asleep, the moon begins to melt. Granny hears it dripping and runs out to catch the moon drops in a bucket. At first unsure what do with the drops, she is soon inspired to turn them into popsicles―moon pops!―to help cool down her neighbors. With the last of the moon drops, Granny grows a new moon from the potted plant in her window. This quirky and colorful picture book spins a new story from the common East Asian fable.

These colorful pages will introduce young children to the wonders of space. The book will explain basic concepts of space, beginning with what is most familiar to kids and expanding out into the universe.

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]

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]

Why the once-planet Pluto was demoted to a lesser planetary status is explained in readable text and engaging illustrations.

On the last page of the Caldecott-winning book Jumanji, young Danny Budwing is seen running after his brother, Walter, with a game tucked under his arm. This time the name of the game is Zathura and the battling Budwing boys are in for the ride of their lives. Zathura unleashes intergalactic challenges that require even the quarreling Budwing brothers to work as a team.

The inspiring true story of mathematician Katherine Johnson--made famous by the award-winning film Hidden Figures--who counted and computed her way to NASA and helped put a man on the moon!

Earth is surrounded by stars of which the sun is only one. Earth is blue “because it is covered by 370,000,000.000,000,000,000 gallons of water.” It has trillions of trees and millions of cities …. but “only one of YOU…” This imaginative presentation is enjoyable to read and may well encourage closer observation of what is all around.

One day in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright entered a department store to buy a bolt of fabric to use on their airplane. The plain muslin cloth was most often used to make underwear. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took a swatch of the exact fabric to the moon in 1969, and a car-sized explorer landed on Mars in 2021, with a tiny piece of very old cloth attached—cloth that had almost become underwear. Almost Underwear is the story of that incredible piece of fabric, and the historic events it stitches together.

This is a spaceflight activity book like no other! Through a series of fun and challenging tasks, kids will begin to understand the skills and training required to become an astronaut on a mission to Mars.

Learn how to become an astronaut in this book packed with bite-size information and fun facts about the life of an astronaut,

Caroline Herchel, born in 1750, enjoyed looking at the night sky with her father. She would become the first woman to receive the Gold Medal of England’s Royal Astronomical Society. Caroline’s own words punctuate the lucid narrative. Expressive watercolor and line illustrations effectively evoke the time and place. A timeline and glossary conclude the book.

A nighttime story that follows a little boy and his Mama as they walk around their neighborhood looking for the moon. As the elusive moon plays peek-a-boo behind buildings and clouds, the little boy asks simple questions about it, and his Mama patiently answers every one.

You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home? This is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who calculated the course of moon landings and in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.

Spare, poetic text and luminous, realistic illustrations chronicle the Apollo missions. Comprehensive back matter with photographs adds depth to the presentation. The author, a trained engineer, also presented Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon [92] illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez for readers 9 to 12. The subtitle of this memorable book is the time it took from President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon.

Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon explores the Red Planet through fascinating facts and amazing full-color photographs.

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.

A retelling of the Cheyenne legend about the creation of the Big Dipper. A young Indian girl who has a special gift for embroidery learns from the spirits that she must leave her home and search for a new one with seven brothers. Seven brothers welcome her, and her gift of beautiful clothes, in the north, but the Chief of the Buffalo Nation also wants a new sister. The girl and her seven brothers make a dramatic escape to the sky.

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.

If you decide to go to the moon read this book first. It will tell you how to get there and what to do after youland. The most important part tells you how to get home.

Do you wonder if humans are the only beings who wonder if they are alone in the universe? Our sun is a star. In the night sky are all kinds of stars, and orbiting those stars are planets like the ones in our own solar system. Could those planets have lifelike we do on Earth?

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.

A beautiful picture book for sharing, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison.

This poetic picture book imagines the childhood of Maria Mitchell, America's first woman astronomer. Though Maria helps her mother care for her eight siblings and keeps tidy their home on Nantucket Island in the early 1800s, she never loses her infectious love for the stars, a passion she inherited from her father.

Mars is quite the character—Planet Marvelous, in fact. Told in the voice of Mars in this celestial “autobiography” in the “Our Universe” series, this book is rich with kid-friendly facts about the red planet. As Mars puts it, he and Earth―his favorite sibling, or so he claims―have a lot in common: clouds, mountains, polar icecaps. And while Earth has Earthlings, Mars makes a persuasive case for why people should make the journey to spend time with him. His day is 7 minutes longer! He is home to the largest volcano in the whole solar system. He's, well, marvelous.

Follow Max on his trip to the International Space Station where he shares in the adventures of astronaut life and helps save everyone from a potential disaster along the way.

Miss Universe is coming to Ella Mentry School! Her real name is Miss Tracy, and she's a retired scientist who will teach the students about planets and the solar system. But what happens when A.J. is cast as the planet Uranus in the school play?

Harriet just wants to play her cello alone. But when she accidentally knocks the lonely moon from his heavenly perch, she learns to share her cello-playing with him. Both find friendship in this delicately illustrated, whimsical tale that presents a moon and one friend with particular personalities.

Only July 29, 1969, as Americans sat glued to their televisions and radios, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly impossible--somthing humans had dreamed of doing for centuries: They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon. One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.

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.

A comic-book-style picture book, takes you on a scientific journey side-by-side with Pluto, who speaks with other museum inhabitants — such as a dinosaur, a germ, and the Earth — and learns what exactly scientists are interested in.

Ursula Marvin was a rock star in the field of geology at a time when it was nearly impossible for women to pursue careers in science. As a visionary and groundbreaking geologist, Ursula believed meteorites held the key to unlocking the origins of the solar system. To prove it, she made a daring trip to Antarctica where she knew the danger was worth the risk and scientific exploration wasn’t just for men. She also proved her theory that meteorites could be made up of pieces of planets or the moon, broke barriers in science, helped create the field of planet geology, and...

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 — 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]

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.

A long, long time ago in ancient Mexico, the sun disappeared. Everything was dark, and the people were afraid. The animals decided to search for the sun. But the sun was nowhere to be found. At last the animals stopped looking — all except the lizard.

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]

An exploration of space written by children's nonfiction veteran and former chairman of the American Museum of Natural History–Hayden Planetarium Franklyn M. Branley and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley

While exploring the land around their village, Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, "the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth," offer comfort and guidance home.

Sophisticated young scientists will enjoy dipping in and out of this funny but edifying compendium of science. Topics range from paleontology to astronomy with lots of ways to get involved (some requiring adult help). The comic format and brief information are appealing and sure to amaze and engage.

In Native American legend, the thirteen scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to the thirteen cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. These lyrical poems and striking paintings celebrate the wonder of the seasons.

Discover the amazing true story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer.

A lunar guide describes the folkloric names of twelve moons according to Native American tradition and showcases their defining characteristics in short verse and beautifully detailed hand-colored woodcuts.

What should I eat in space today? Something that won't float away! Food that sticks onto a spoon Is best when dining on the moon. Learn all about the pioneering dog-stronauts and how technology created for space affects our life on earth.

In this inspiring memoir, adapted from the simultaneous version for adults, young readers will get to learn about Leland Melvin’s remarkable life story, from being drafted by the Detroit Lions to bravely orbiting our planet in the International Space Station to writing songs with will.i.am, working with Serena Williams, and starring in top-rated television shows like The Dog Whisperer, Top Chef, and Child Genius.

On August 6, 2012, the rover Curiosity touched down on the rocky surface of Mars — and now she’s ready to guide you through her journey firsthand. From idea to creation and beyond, this fact-filled, stylish book introduces readers to Curiosity and her mission: to discover more about the red planet and search for evidence of life.

This classic book includes star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky. The detailed sky views and simple illustrations help readers turn stargazing into a wonderful game.

This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It is the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program.

Laika was the abandoned puppy destined to become Earth's first space traveler. This is her journey.

Almost 14.5 billion years ago, it all started with a BIG BANG and what began as a cloud of gas, dust, and rock eventually took shape and bloomed into a molten sphere. Battered by asteroid collisions, ice ages, and shifting tectonic plates, our fledgling planet finally pushed forth continents. But if you think the earth has calmed down since then — think again!

The inspiring memoir for young readers about a Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by joining the Girl Scouts and who currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Years before millions of Americans tuned in to watch her historic space flight aboard the Challenger in 1983, Sally Ride stayed up late to watch Neil Armstrong become the first person to walk on the moon. The next morning, she woke up to win her first round singles match at a national junior tennis tournament. This book is an intimate journey from her formative years to her final moments.

Everything you ever wanted to know about space. Take your child on a journey to space and beyond, they'll learn what space is and take a whirl around the sun, moon and stars.

An illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference, is just right for budding mathematicians, scientists, historians, and librarians!

In this striking volume, readers will encounter the moon in both fact and fiction. Moon myths from various cultures are presented, the impact of the moon on plant and animal behavior, a brief examination of the first Apollo landing, even a reflection on what the future of moon exploration may do and more are presented briefly in well organized, clearly noted and stunningly illustrated sections. A glossary of people and terms are included.

Don't miss the adventures of Chuck and David, two boys who travel to the alien planet Basidium in their homemade spaceship. This timeless series is a classic that is sure to be read over and over again.

Cash, Fitch, and Bird Thomas are three siblings in seventh grade together in Park, Delaware. In 1986, as the country waits expectantly for the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, they each struggle with their own personal anxieties. old in three alternating points of view, We Dream of Space is a thematically rich novel for middle grade readers.

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.