Best Children’s Books about Planets (2026): 5 Compared

The best children’s books about planets are the ones that blast off: all five of these are space books for young readers. We compared five books by what each Amazon listing states: pages, reading age, format and publication date, so you can pick the right one for your reader.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	My First Book of Planets	9.8/10	Buy
2	Planets and the Solar System	9.8/10	Buy
3	I Am the Solar System	9.7/10	Buy
4	Knowledge Encyclopedia - Space	9.7/10	Buy
5	Baby University Set	9.5/10	Buy

1

My First Book of Planets

Dr. Bruce Betts·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A solar system book, 68 pages, ages 3 to 6.

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Pros

• 68 pages stated
• Ages 3 to 6 stated
• Dr. Bruce Betts stated

Cons

• 2021 edition
• Ages 3-5 focus
• Callisto Kids

2

Planets and the Solar System

Cottage Door Press·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Smithsonian Kids book, 12 pages, ages 1 to 3.

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Pros

• 12 pages stated
• Ages 1 to 3 stated
• Smithsonian stated

Cons

• 2019 edition
• 12 pages, short
• Embossed textures

3

I Am the Solar System

Rebecca McDonald·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A solar system book, 44 pages, 2020.

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Pros

• 44 pages stated
• 2020 edition stated
• Rebecca McDonald stated

Cons

• No reading age stated
• 44 pages, short
• Educational series

4

Knowledge Encyclopedia - Space

Wonder House Books·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A space encyclopedia, 192 pages, ages 7 to 10.

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Pros

• 192 pages stated
• Ages 7 to 10 stated
• Glossary stated

Cons

• 2022 edition
• Encyclopedia format
• Wonder House

5

Baby University Set

Chris Ferrie·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Baby University board book set, baby to 2 years.

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Pros

• 18 books stated
• Baby to 2 years stated
• Chris Ferrie stated

Cons

• Science set, not planets
• 2020 edition
• Board books

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More picks to compare

• My Little Book of PlanetsSuits readers wanting a rhyming board book, 26 pages.Check on Amazon
• The Solar System UsborneSuits readers wanting a beginner book, 32 pages.Check on Amazon
• Our Solar System for KidsSuits readers wanting a kids 8-12 guide, 170 pages.Check on Amazon
• Little Wonders SPACESuits readers wanting an interactive board book, 10 pages.Check on Amazon
• The PlanetsSuits readers wanting a Gail Gibbons book, 32 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Listing details as published, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs planets fit, story, depth, safety and warranty. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best children’s books about planets

Reading age

Ages run from baby to 2 (Baby University) to 7 to 10 (Knowledge Encyclopedia), with 1 to 3 and 3 to 6 in between. See our picture books for more young readers.

Pages

Pages run from 12 (Planets and the Solar System) to 192 (Knowledge Encyclopedia), with 44 and 68 in between. Pick the length that fits your reader.

Format

Board books suit babies and toddlers; picture books and the encyclopedia suit older kids. Pick the format that fits your shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is Smithsonian?

Planets and the Solar System.

Which is an encyclopedia?

Knowledge Encyclopedia – Space.

Which is for babies?

Baby University Complete Board Book Set.

Which is 68 pages?

My First Book of Planets.

Still deciding? Our top pickMy First Book of Planets

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See every kids books list and all reading guides.

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