Great Read Alouds: Space Adventures

Take off with amazing picture books about planets, the Moon and traveling in space. Kids imaginations will soar and they will learn some interesting facts to inspire more learning.

Life on Mars by Jon Agee

Kids will love discovering things the astronaut misses in this sweet and funny story. An astronaut is sure there is life on Mars and he brings a gift for the life he will discover. However, when he lands on the planet he misses some very important clues. 

The book doesn't have much text, but the images give you and your child lots to discuss. Enjoy your trip to Mars!

"Satisfying silliness from start to finish, with a gotcha ending that will prompt requests for repeat readings." —Publishers Weekly

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years written by Stacy McAnulty & illustrated by David Litchfield

Earth AKA Planet Awesome shows us family pictures and it's baby pictures in this story of the Earth's history. Beautiful and fun illustrations bring the planets to life.

McAnulty includes lots of facts about the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and other planets and she shares them in simple and fun ways. She touches on some of the bad ways people have treated Earth, but ends the story on a positive note for the future.

"A humorous approach to planetary facts for the elementary grades." –School Library Journal

Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers

A boy and his friends, a penguin and a star, often play hide and seek. The penguin is great at hiding, but the star is not. However, one day the boy and penguin lose the star. Follow along on their adventure to find the star and make new friends. 

This story doesn't include any space facts, but it will inspire your child to spend more time looking in the night's sky imagining the life of the stars they see. You can check out a telescope from the library if you want to get a closer look at the stars and planets in the night's sky. 

"The author/illustrator excels at cultivating a rose-hued melancholy sweetness that will linger long after the book is closed. A gratifying story of loving and letting go." —Kirkus Reviews