Best Picture Books About Space (2026): 5 Compared

Space captures young imaginations like nothing else, and the best picture books about space turn that wonder into reading time. From NASA photo collections to fold-out panoramas and fact-packed guides, we compared five by listed age, page count, format and publisher, so you can match the book to the young stargazer.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Lost in Space	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Earth and Space	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Big Book of Big Stars	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Nat Geo Kids Everything Space	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	There's No Place Like Space	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Lost in Space

Neil deGrasse Tyson·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 ›

Neil deGrasse Tyson's 400-page guide with 5,000 facts. National Geographic, September 2026.

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Pros

• 5,000 facts stated
• 400 pages, most here
• National Geographic publisher

Cons

• No warranty term stated
• No reading age stated
• Dense for young kids

2

Earth and Space

Nirmala Nataraj·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 ›

NASA archival photographs, 176 pages. Chronicle Books, October 2015. By Nirmala Nataraj.

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Pros

• Real NASA archival photos
• 176 pages
• Chronicle Books publisher

Cons

• No warranty term stated
• No reading age stated
• 2015 publication

3

Big Book of Big Stars

Emily Bone·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 ›

Giant fold-out picture book, 16 pages. Usborne, November 2024. Ages 4 to 7. By Emily Bone.

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Pros

• Giant fold-out panoramas
• 2024 publication, newest
• Ages 4 to 7 stated

Cons

• No warranty term stated
• 16 pages; briefest here
• Needs table space to unfold

4

Nat Geo Kids Everything Space

Helaine Becker·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 ›

Photos, facts and fun, 64 pages. National Geographic Kids, September 2015. Ages 8 to 12.

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Pros

• Ages 8 to 12 stated
• Photos and facts mix
• Nat Geo Kids brand

Cons

• No warranty term stated
• 64 pages; mid-length
• 2015 publication

5

There's No Place Like Space

Tish Rabe·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 ›

Rhyming solar system tour, 48 pages. Random House, 1999. Ages 3 to 6. By Tish Rabe.

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Pros

• Rhyming text for young kids
• Ages 3 to 6 stated
• Classic Cat in the Hat Learning Library

Cons

• No warranty term stated
• 1999 publication; oldest
• 48 pages

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More picks to compare

• Fly Guy Presents: SpaceScholastic Level 2 reader about space.Check on Amazon
• What's Out There?All Aboard book about space.Check on Amazon
• Floating in SpacePicture book about the space shuttle.Check on Amazon
• Dreaming of SpaceEducational picture book about astronomy.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

22 October 2026

How we scored them

Each book is scored on story, edition, value, safety and warranty; see our How We Pick page for 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 picture books about space

Match the age first. There’s No Place Like Space lists ages 3 to 6; Big Book of Big Stars lists 4 to 7; Nat Geo Kids Everything Space lists 8 to 12. The two photo books do not state an age in their spec tables, so check the description.

Pick the format for the reader. Lost in Space packs 5,000 facts into 400 pages for committed readers. Earth and Space offers NASA photographs. Big Book of Big Stars unfolds into giant panoramas. There’s No Place Like Space rhymes through the solar system for young listeners.

Check the page count. Big Book has 16 pages of fold-outs; There’s No Place Like Space has 48; Nat Geo Kids has 64; Earth and Space has 176; Lost in Space has 400. Match length to attention span.

Before you buy

• Check the format: hardcover, paperback and board book are different products.
• Confirm the listed age range against your child’s reading level.
• For photo books, check whether the images are NASA archival or illustrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these books for?

There’s No Place Like Space: 3 to 6. Big Book: 4 to 7. Nat Geo Kids: 8 to 12. The photo books do not state an age; check the description.

Which has real NASA photos?

Earth and Space: Photographs from the Archives of NASA, 176 pages from Chronicle Books. Lost in Space is Nat Geo with facts, not archival photos.

Which is best for a young child?

There’s No Place Like Space: rhyming text for ages 3 to 6. Big Book’s fold-outs also suit ages 4 to 7 with supervision.

Still deciding? Our top pickLost in Space

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