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

Bedtime is better with a blast-off, and the best children’s books about space take young readers from the moon to black holes. We compared five books by space content, age fit, publisher and length, using only what each Amazon listing states. Every figure below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Space: A Visual Encyclopedia	9.7/10	Buy
2	Astronomy Activity Book	9.7/10	Buy
3	Moon! Earth's Best Friend	9.7/10	Buy
4	How to Catch a Star	9.6/10	Buy
5	Pete the Cat: Out of This World	9.6/10	Buy

1

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia

DK·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 256-page visual encyclopedia of the universe, reading age 5 to 10 years, published August 18, 2020.

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Pros

• 256 pages, the longest here
• NASA and ESA images with info panels
• Reading age 5 to 10 years stated

Cons

• No warranty is stated
• Encyclopedia format; not a story
• 2020 edition; some space facts may date

2

Astronomy Activity Book

Aurora Lipper·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 160-page astronomy activity book for kids, reading age 5 to 9 years, published September 14, 2021.

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Pros

• 100+ activities for ages 5 to 9
• Written by a former NASA scientist
• 160 pages with stargazing projects

Cons

• No warranty is stated
• Activity book; not a storybook
• Ages 5 to 7 focus per the listing

3

Moon! Earth's Best Friend

Stacy McAnulty·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 40-page picture book about the moon, reading age 2 to 6 years, published June 11, 2019.

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Pros

• Kid-friendly STEM themes
• Book 3 of 10: Our Universe
• Reading age 2 to 6 years stated

Cons

• No warranty is stated
• 40 pages; a short read
• Moon perspective may confuse some toddlers

4

How to Catch a Star

Oliver Jeffers·9.6/10 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 32-page picture book about catching a star, reading age 2 to 4 years, published June 3, 2004.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4: The Boy
• Simple tale of wishing and persevering
• Reading age 2 to 4 years stated

Cons

• No warranty is stated
• 2004 edition; the oldest here
• 32 pages; a short read

5

Pete the Cat: Out of This World

James Dean·9.6/10 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 24-page Pete the Cat space adventure with over 30 stickers, reading age 3 to 6 years, published June 20, 2017.

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Pros

• Over 30 stickers included
• Space camp adventure with Pete the Cat
• Reading age 3 to 6 years stated

Cons

• No warranty is stated
• 24 pages; the shortest here
• Sticker focus; less space science

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More picks to compare

• There Was a Black HoleSuits kids ages 4 to 8 wanting a rhyming space story.Check on Amazon
• Sadie Soars into SpaceSuits toddlers wanting solar system facts with a story.Check on Amazon
• Hello, World! RocketsSuits babies to 3 years wanting a rocket board book.Check on Amazon
• Astronomical!Suits ages 9 to 12 wanting space photos.Check on Amazon
• Rocket: Feel the ForceSuits ages 9 to 12 wanting rocket science.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specs as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs space content, age fit, publisher, value and stated reading age. Every listing here states a reading age, from customers. 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 space

Match the reading age

Ages run from 2 to 4 years (How to Catch a Star) to 5 to 10 years (Space encyclopedia), all from customers. Browse picture books for more.

Story or facts

Jeffers, McAnulty and Pete tell stories; DK and Lipper teach facts. Our children’s books about trains list covers more.

Pages and stickers

Page counts run from 24 (Pete, with 30+ stickers) to 256 (DK encyclopedia). Longer books suit older readers.

Before you buy

• Compare the listed reading age with your child’s age.
• All five state reading ages, marked from customers.
• Activity books need pencils; sticker books need a flat surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is the longest?

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Universe, 256 pages.

Which books are for the youngest readers?

How to Catch a Star (2 to 4 years) and Moon! Earth’s Best Friend (2 to 6 years).

Which book has activities?

Astronomy Activity Book for Kids, with 100+ activities.

Which book has stickers?

Pete the Cat: Out of This World, with over 30 stickers.

Still deciding? Our top pickSpace: A Visual Encyclopedia

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

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