Last updated 1 December 2022

^ Emily’s Recommended Space Books for Kids
» Space Books for Kids Ages 4 to 7
» Space Books for Kids Ages 8 to 12

For kids age 0 to 3 I look for board books that are fun for parents to read and that contain bright, fun illustrations that invite pointing. I especially enjoy books that can be read either fast or slow, depending on the kid’s determination to turn pages fast or to linger over page spreads.

All links from book titles and covers on this page go to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you buy them through these links. But I also provide the ISBN for every book to make it easy for you to find the book at the website of your choice, or to order from your neighborhood independent bookstore.

New to the List in 2022

Star Trek: My First Book of Colors (2022)

My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 1637741642

I love a board book that lets a parent pronounce long, fun words like “iridescent” and “quantum singularity.” I also appreciate a book that doesn’t rhyme for once! Whether you’re a TOS fan or TNG like me, you’ll find familiar faces among the cute, colorful illustrations. After the 20th time you’ve read it, you’ll still be left wondering why “the GORN GREEN captain wears a shiny GOLD lamé tunic and BROWN gauntlets. But no shoes!”

Favorites from Previous Years

I Heart Pluto (2020)

by Chris Ferrie & Helen Maynard-Casely, illustrated by Lizzy Doyle
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐⚪
ISBN: 1728205247

One of a slew of recent books that portray Pluto’s change in semantic status as the ex-planet being kicked out of a club, this book is notable for providing a pretty good, accessible explanation of the criteria that make a planet to young children and their parents. The design is adorable, and there are lots of extra details on each page to add information. In particular, I’m very pleased to see the names of lots of other not-quite-planetary worlds included in the illustrations. Lots of pages have little cutouts to other pages that invite fingers. These holes serve no narrative purpose, but it might help a kid stay interested in the book longer than no-cutout pages would. I knock off one planet for the mediocre quality of the poetry, but overall it’s a good pick. This book has the same design as 8 Little Planets, below.

Launch Ladies (2019)

By Jamey Erickson & Leila McNeill, illustrated by Lydia Fusco
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: This book, the product of a successful Kickstarter, is available only from its dedicated website.

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Space (2019)

by Dawn Sirett, illustrated by Elle Ward
My review on LibraryThing
ISBN: 1465479333 

8 Little Planets: A Solar System Book for Kids with Unique Planet Cutouts (2018)

By Chris Ferrie, illustrated by Lizzy Doyle
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 149267124X

ABCs of Space (Baby University) (2018)

By Chris Ferrie and Julia Kregenow
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 1492671126 

Touch the Brightest Star (2017)

By Christie Matheson
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 0062274481

Hello, World! Solar System (2016)

By Jill McDonald
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 0553521039

Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering! (Baby Loves Science) (2016)

By Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
ISBN: 1580895417

Eight Spinning Planets (2010)

By Brian James
My review on LibraryThing 🪐🪐🪐🪐⚪
ISBN: 0545235170