Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
25 Best Outer Space Read Aloud Books for Kids
25
items Ignite a sense of wonder with this curated collection of the best outer space read-aloud books for kids. Whether you’re a teacher planning a science unit or a parent looking for the perfect bedtime story, these stellar picks cover every corner of the galaxy. ✵ ✵ ✵ Book titles are affiliate links — but buying is never the point. Grab our free library checklist on Substack!
Sections
3
Facts - Books about Outer Space 🪐
Figures - Books about Astronauts and Space History 🚀
Fantasy - Stories Inspired by the Stars ⭐
Facts - Books about Outer Space 🪐
For a more factual launch into space.
My kids loved all of the facts and mythological connections in this book. I loved the whimsical, saturated illustrations. We took our time reading Glow over a couple of weeks—it became an evening habit to read the next page or two before bed.
Glow: A Family Guide to the Night Sky (Noelia Gonzalez)
The Shine-a-Light books are so fun! My eight-year-old loves revealing the hidden pictures with his flashlight. He was captivated by the idea of getting to live in space and what daily life is like for astronauts on the space station.
On the Space Station (Carron Brown)
Sweet introduction to the solar system for babies and toddlers. This was on repeat every night for several months with my youngest.
Solar System (Jill McDonald)
While featuring a fictional dog story, the facts in this book are detailed and precise. We enjoyed this series.
Max Goes to the Moon (Jeffrey Bennett)
Another book in the Max series! This was my kids' first look at the details of the space station, and they were fascinated by how someone could live there.
Max Goes to the Space Station (Jeffrey Bennett)
More Max! This is definitely more speculative than the other two we read (Moon and Space Station), but still very interesting!
Max Goes to Mars (Jeffrey Bennett)
While speculative, this book was a fun exploration of what life on Mars could be like from a scientific perspective.
You Are the First Kid on Mars (Patrick O'Brien)
Inspired by Dr. Seuss, we were surprised at how many facts were embedded in the Seussian rhymes.
There's No Place Like Space! Solar System
Figures - Books about Astronauts and Space History 🚀
Featuring the people and events that have made space history.
While more suitable for older kids, the illustrations in Moonshot are breathtaking. Don't expect to read through this with your kids in one sitting.
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 (Brian Floca)
Beautiful illustrations - excellent pacing to the text to keep a child fascinated with the moon landing.
One Giant Leap: History of First Moon Landing (Robert Burleigh)
This book balances Glenn's achievements as an astronaut with details about who he was as a person.
Fly High, John Glenn: American Hero (Kathleen Krull)
Having read Hidden Figures, this is a nice, child's introduction to Katherine Johnson's work. My kids were fascinated with the idea that people could BE computers.
Counting on Katherine: How She Saved Apollo 13 (Helaine Becker)
I'm torn in a couple of directions. On the one hand, I appreciate that this book highlights how the USSR space program (and others) have used animals in space research. On the other, there is dissonance between the happy, smiling, "brave" dogs and th...
Dogs in Space (Vix Southgate)
Another great addition to the Hello World! series. This book has a main storyline as well as side facts—depending on the time you have to read to your toddler, you can stop to read everything or just follow along with the main narrative.
Moon Landing (Jill McDonald)
Simple, rhyming, great for younger readers. More about friendship and teamwork than the details of the moon landing.
We Are The Apollo 11 Crew (Zoe Tucker)
Fantasy - Stories Inspired by the Stars ⭐
Feeding the desire to explore and wonder at the world beyond our world.
This book had a quaint, otherworldly feel to it. We read it every year for Valentine's Day.
Wild Honey from the Moon (Kenneth Kraegel)
This book has the best retro, Calvin and Hobbes vibes!
Harry and Horsie (Katie Van Camp)
Steven Kellogg's illustrations are sumptuous as always. This book is delightful!
If You Decide To Go To The Moon (Faith McNulty)
This was an unexpected addition to Jan Brett's Hedgie series - silly and funny and as beautifully illustrated as always.
Hedgie Blasts Off! (Jan Brett)
Surreal and lovely - this is a peaceful read aloud.
Dream Away (Julia Durango)
This whole series is silly. My kids loved looking for references to the other books in this one.
Rufus Blasts Off! (Kim T. Griswell)
Somewhat absurd but maintains the perfect amount of randomness for lots of little boy giggles.
Earth Space Moon Base (Ben Joel Price)
I love the DIY spacecraft in this - a celebration of childhood.
A Fort on the Moon (Maggie Pouncey)
Silly, fun, adorable - this is a cozy, imaginative read-aloud.
Space Mice (Lori Haskens Houran)
We did not enjoy the other two books in this series, but this one was fun!
Mousetronaut: Based on a True Story (Mark Kelly)