Rounding Up: Beginning Readers about Space

If you took your child out to watch the Quadrantid meteor shower this morning, you might have sparked an interest in space and astronomy. Here are five beginning readers to help you find out more:

space

Space (Smithsonian Little Explorer) by Martha E. H. Rustad is a quick introduction to topics ranging from the moon and planets to the Big Bang. Colorful photographs and eye-catching illustrations help keep interest and put things in perspective. See how many Earths placed on top of each other would equal the height of the sun. Fascinating!

Reading Level grades 1-2
Publisher: Capstone Press (November 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1476535515
ISBN-13: 978-1476535517

comets

Comets (Heinemann First Library: the Night Sky and Other Amazing Sights in Space) by Nick Hunter explains how these bits of dust and ice orbit the sun in our solar system. Starting with ancient records of comets, Hunter describes some of the most famous comets and how they were discovered, He concludes with an activity using balls and a playing field to help children conceptualize the vastness of space.

Reading Level:  Grades 1-3
Publisher: Heinemann (August 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1432975196
ISBN-13: 978-1432975197

stars and constellations

As you may know, learning the names of the patterns certain stars make in the sky can help you navigate at night or find the best part of the sky to watch for meteors. Stars and Constellations (Heinemann First Library: The Night Sky: And Other Amazing Sights in Space) by Nick Hunter explores what stars are, where they come from, what makes them shine, what people thought of them in the past, and how we study stars today, starting with the nearest star, the Sun. A fun activity is provided along with advice on viewing stars.

Reading Level:  Grades 1-3
Publisher: Heinemann (August 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 143297517X
ISBN-13: 978-1432975173

eclipses

Eclipses (Heinemann First Library: The Night Sky: And Other Amazing Sights in Space) by Nick Hunter (Author) examines both solar and lunar eclipses, as well as eclipses on other planets. The book covers what an eclipse is, what eclipses can look like, how they happen, what people thought of eclipses in the past, and how they are studied today. He concludes with an activity, along with advice on viewing eclipses.

Reading Level:  Grades 1-3
Publisher: Heinemann (August 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432975153
ISBN-13: 978-1432975159

Northen Lights

Northern Lights (Heinemann First Library) by Nick Hunter covers some of the coolest phenomena we can see without a telescope: the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.  He explains what they are, what they look like, where they can be seen, and how they are caused. Readers also learn about the significance of solar storms, the Southern Lights, what people thought about auroras in the past, and how they are explored today. As with the other books in this series, he concludes with a fun activity.

Reading level:  Grades 1-3
Publisher: Heinemann (August 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432975161
ISBN-13: 978-1432975166

Be sure to visit Science Books for Kids for a more extensive list of Space and Astronomy books for children.

Disclosures: These books were provided by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at not extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

 

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time: What the Hubble Telescope Saw

Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time:  What the Hubble Telescope Saw by Elaine Scott

Reading level: Middle Grade (Ages 9-12)

Summary: A history of the Hubble Telescope and overview of how the images it has captured have added to the field of astronomy.

Illustrations: Full page, color photographs from NASA and the Hubble Heritage Team, as well as a few artist’s depictions

Comments: Good summary for those interested in the Hubble Telescope and astronomy in general. Although written for middle grades, it is also useful for adults wishing to brush up on the topic.

Related activities:

Make a model of the Hubble Telescope based on the illustration on page 13 of the book or other images (for example, this simple model craft for preschoolers)

List of activity links from Growing With Science, including links to a kit to make your own telescope

Compatible fiction: A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle (as suggested by the author)

Publisher:  Clarion Books (January 24, 2011)

ISBN-10: 0547241895
ISBN-13: 978-0547241890

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Next title to be reviewed: Insect Detective by Steve Voake and illustrated by Charlotte Voake