The Best Books About Space with Extensions
📝 This post, Best Books about Space, was originally published in 2021 and has been updated with new information and resources.
Space is one of my favorite topics to teach — and year after year, it is always a student favorite! The moment I pull out a book about planets, astronauts, rovers, or aliens, something magical happens. Suddenly, everyone has questions, stories, and ideas to share. The curiosity in the room is contagious!
I am always looking for simple ways to keep that excitement going long after the last page is turned. These are some of my favorite space books for the classroom, along with extension ideas that have worked beautifully over the years. I hope they work just as well in yours!
The Best Books about Space with Extension Activities
Imaginative Books about Space
These are the books that make students stop and say, “What if?”
Penguinaut by Marcie Colleen
Orville, the penguin, watches his animal friends go on all kinds of adventures — and decides it’s his turn! He builds a spaceship and sets off for the moon all by himself. A charming story about independence, perseverance, and the joy of sharing adventures with friends.
If You Were the Moon by Laura Purdie Salas
The moon does so much more than light up the night sky! It spins, plays tug-of-war with the ocean, and guides baby sea turtles home. A lyrical and whimsical look at our favorite nighttime neighbor.
Rylee’s Rover Goes to Mars by JoAnn Dickinson
Rylee and her loyal companions build a rover and head straight for Mars! Along the way, they discover craters, unusual moons, and all kinds of Martian wonders. A fun story that gets students thinking and imagining while learning about Mars.
If You Had Your Birthday on the Moon by Joyce Lapin
Imagine celebrating your birthday on the moon! Low-gravity playgrounds, candles that behave strangely, and a birthday that lasts as long as a month on Earth — yes, please! A fun and fact-filled book that makes space science feel like a party.
Alien Adventures
Silly, unexpected, and always good for a laugh — these alien stories never get old in my classroom!
Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb
What’s the best way to get rid of an unwanted alien pen pal? Send him your big sister, obviously! What follows is a hilarious back-and-forth of increasingly ridiculous packages — and somewhere along the way, an unexpected friendship begins.
Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
Aliens have finally arrived on Earth — and all they want is your underpants! From sliding down Grandpa’s long-johns to holding Upside-Down-Pants races, these aliens are here for one thing and one thing only. Hide your underwear!
Books about Space That Teach
My favorite kind of book — the ones that sneak in real science without students even realizing they’re learning!
The Sun Plays with the Moon: An Introduction to Lunar and Solar Eclipses by Alicia Mofford
The sun and moon are best friends playing an eternal game of tag across the sky — and every time they meet, something magical happens! A sweet and rhyming introduction to lunar and solar eclipses for young learners.
Pluto Visits Earth by Steve Metzger
Pluto is NOT happy about being downgraded from planet to dwarf planet — so he heads to Earth to set the record straight! Along the way, he bumps into his moons and the other planets, but it’s a boy on Earth who helps him realize that being small doesn’t mean being unimportant.
A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade
After being kicked out of the planet club, Pluto sets off to find where he belongs. Comets? Asteroids? Meteoroids? Nothing quite fits. A gentle and relatable story about finding your place — even when it’s not where you expected!
Mars’ First Friends by Susanna Leonard Hill
Poor Mars — surrounded by planets but feeling completely alone! All he wants is someone to play with. Luckily, Earth has a solution: she sends her little brother two very special friends — the rovers Spirit and Opportunity! A sweet story about friendship and exploration.
Informational & Biography Books About Space
These are the books that spark the best questions and conversations — and always leave students wanting to know more!
Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeny
A young astronaut takes readers on a tour of the solar system — from Earth all the way to the stars! Clear language, fun illustrations, and a helpful glossary make this a perfect introduction to space for budding astronomers.
The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield
Chris loves rockets and pretending to be a brave astronaut — but he’s terrified of the dark! That all changes the night he watches the moon landing and realizes that space is the darkest dark there is, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Based on the real childhood of astronaut Chris Hadfield!
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
Little Mae dreamed of dancing in space — and she made it happen! The inspiring true story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space. A beautiful reminder that with hard work and big dreams, anything is possible.
Have any favorite books about space that your students always love? Share them in the comments — I’m always adding new titles to my classroom wish list!
Looking for More Space Books?
Blast off with The Best Children’s Books about Rockets
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