The best children’s books on astronomy

Katie Munday Williams Author Of Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet
By Katie Munday Williams

Who am I?

I am a nurse, mother, and writer, and as such, consider myself a life-learner. When my children come to me with questions, I love being able to grab a beautiful picture book to begin exploring whatever topic is on their minds. I can’t answer all their questions perfectly, but I enjoy searching for the answers with them and hope to impart that love of learning as they grow. Astronomy has always fascinated me, and the books I’ve picked do a fantastic job of discussing everything from gravity to aliens to the first African-American female in space. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have!

I wrote...

Book cover of Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet

What is my book about?

The inspiring story of a Puritan woman whose passion for writing poetry broke barriers. Late at night, with her children tucked into bed and her husband away on business, Anne Dudley Bradstreet composed poems by candlelight. She let her thoughts from the day tumble out, memorizing each poem line by line before daring to shape the words onto scraps of scarce parchment. Puritan women in the 1600s weren't allowed to be writers. But when the world learned about Anne's poetry, even she was astonished by what happened next.

This charmingly illustrated picture book tells the inspiring story of how a Puritan woman overcame the obstacles facing women of her era to become one of the most famous poets in history. A gifted writer of deep faith, Anne Bradstreet blazed a trail for the rights of women to study, write, and achieve.

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The books I picked & why

Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship

By Susanna Leonard Hill, Elisa Paganelli (illustrator),

Book cover of Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship

Why did I love this book?

I absolutely adore this book for a few key reasons. I fell in love with the premise of a lonely Moon on the lookout for new friends--who hasn’t felt that way before? The author does an incredible job of weaving in facts about the first modes of transportation while keeping the book fun and relatable to children. The illustrations are beautiful and by the end of the book you’ll definitely be rooting for Moon to get her first visitors.

Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship

By Susanna Leonard Hill, Elisa Paganelli (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Moon's First Friends as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A New York Times Bestseller!
A heartwarming story of a friendship-seeking moon that also celebrates the extraordinary 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing!
From high up in the sky, the Moon has spent her whole life watching Earth and hoping for someone to visit. Dinosaurs roam, pyramids are built, and boats are made, but still no one comes. Will friends ever come visit her?
One day a spaceship soars from Earth...and so does her heart.
Includes bonus educational pages about the moon mission!

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If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon

By Joyce Lapin, Simona Ceccarelli (illustrator),

Book cover of If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon

Why did I love this book?

The title pretty much speaks for itself—I mean, who wouldn’t want to have their birthday party on the Moon? And what would it be like? This book makes the perfect birthday gift (or anytime gift!) for any child questioning what it’s like on the Moon. The reader discovers what it’s like to swing at a pinata in low gravity, make moon-angels, and discover what happens to candles and balloons in Moon’s atmosphere. There are tons of facts about space woven throughout the book, as well as a glossary of terms at the end.

If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon

By Joyce Lapin, Simona Ceccarelli (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Age range 7+

If you had your birthday party on the moon, what would it be like? Blast off to an extraterrestrial celebration and find out!

This cool picture book combines fun and facts to help kids learn all about outer space. Have your birthday party on the moon and everyone will come! After all, who wouldn't want to ride in a rocket and celebrate for a day that lasts as long as a month on Earth? Then, young partygoers could romp in a low-gravity playground; watch candles and balloons behave weirdly in the Moon's atmosphere; and see why the…

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Mae Among the Stars

By Roda Ahmed, Stasia Burrington (illustrator),

Book cover of Mae Among the Stars

Why did I love this book?

Mae Among the Stars is a gorgeous picture book biography of Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space. This inspiring book dives into the life of a truly amazing woman who defied the boundaries imposed on her by others and fulfilled her dream of becoming an astronaut. I like that despite the doubts of others, Mae didn’t give up; she persevered and became a highly educated doctor, engineer, and NASA astronaut. 

Mae Among the Stars

By Roda Ahmed, Stasia Burrington (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Mae Among the Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A beautiful picture book for sharing and marking special occasions such as graduation, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison. An Amazon Best Book of the Month!

A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts.

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and…

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Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet

By Curtis Manley, Jessica Lanan (illustrator),

Book cover of Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet

Why did I love this book?

Cutis Manley’s non-fiction book tackles one of the biggest questions out there--is there other life in the universe--in simple, fun language sure to keep readers of all ages engaged. Jessica Lanan’s art is gorgeous, conveying both the expansiveness and beauty of outer space, and both words and pictures blend to portray science-heavy information in a very kid-friendly way. This book will appeal to those children who can’t wait to know the ‘why’ behind their world, and adults will find themselves learning right along with them.

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet

By Curtis Manley, Jessica Lanan (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Just Right as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

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.

Planet Earth is not too big, not too small, not too hot, and not too cold. It's just right. Our very own Goldilocks planet . . . .

Follow a young girl as she explores these questions.

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What Miss Mitchell Saw

By Hayley Barrett, Diana Sudyka (illustrator),

Book cover of What Miss Mitchell Saw

Why did I love this book?

This book does a great job of capturing the wonder of the stars. In lyrical language and with absolutely stunning illustrations, What Miss Mitchell Saw will capture the reader’s interest right from the cover. This picture book biography delves into the early days of one of our most brilliant astronomers, Maria Mitchell. Budding scientists and astronomers alike, or anyone who just likes to wonder about the mysteries of space, will love this book.

What Miss Mitchell Saw

By Hayley Barrett, Diana Sudyka (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked What Miss Mitchell Saw as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

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

Every evening, from the time she was a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope and swept the sky. And then one night she saw something unusual-a comet no one had ever seen before! Miss Mitchell's extraordinary discovery made her famous the world over and paved the way for her to become America's first professional female astronomer.

Gorgeously illustrated by Diana Sudyka, this moving picture book about a girl from humble beginnings who became a star in the field of astronomy is sure to…

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Interested in the moon, astronomy, and astronauts?

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