Children's Space Books Books

This book provides a lot of information in just 96 pages. It describes the lifespan of stars, the unique characteristics of each planet in our Solar System, the constellations and the history behind them, plus tips for star-gazers (like getting the best out of you telescope or even binoculars and what areas of the sky provide the best "show".) At the end of the book is a quick reference section that sums up the info into easy-to-read charts. There is also a page where you can find the history of astronomy and answers to space-related questions. I plan to be an astronomer when I grow up, and this book was an excellent starting point in my research of astronomy.

Gorgeous color photos illustrate this book about Venus. I appreciate that Seymour Simon writes matter-of-factly, without a patronizing attitude. There are plenty of facts about Venus.

I am impressed by the entire series of picture books by Seymour Simon and our family has been enjoying his books, one about each planet, which we are using as part of our homeschooling. I have found that many of the books that attempt to cover all topics about space end up skimping on important general information that Simon easily communicates, such as the temperature and how it compares to Earth, why humans could not survive on the planet, and the general weather conditions and how they compare to weather on Earth. The way these comparisons are made really helps children understand the conditions on the planets. This series by Simon is also superior to other books about Venus and space because the photos are in color; they are real, stunning photos, not lame illustrations drawn by hand. This book also features images made with data captured by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter spacecraft in 1980, from bouncing radio waves off of the surface of Venus. Photographs taken by the Soviet spacecraft, Venera 13, when it landed on the surface in 1982, shortly before the weather conditions and atmospheric pressure completely destroyed it. Images and information learned from NASA's Magellan in the 1990s is also included in this book.

As with all the books in this series, the content begins with what we can see with our naked eye from Earth (Venus looks like a brightest star in the night sky).

I highly recommend that any parent read these books to their children. Teachers and homeschoolers would find this book a wonderful book to use while teaching about Venus.

My 6 year old loved reading this book and learning about the Voyager expedition. Great pictures, and a lot of really specific information about all the planets and moons it encountered. A classic that should be in the library of any child or adult who loves space.

This author reminds me of two authors: Richard Brautigan (for adults) and Daniel Pinkwater (for kids). Just like Brautigan and Pinkwater, Pinkwater gives us a comic tale mixing realistic dialogue and surreal situations. This kid Steve is miffed because his mom is redecorating the house, and he doesn't like it until she shows him some spaceship wallpaper. You would not think a story about wallpaper could be exciting, but think again! Steve and his mom paper his bedroom with it, and that night, Steve has amazing adventures with some remarkably carefree spacemice, exploring the planet of the Bunnies ("don't do anything to get them mad"). Boldly illustrated by Jill Pinkwater. The hardcover jacket says "ages 6-9," but I am 43 years old and I really enjoyed this book.

Millions of Americans believe that we are regularly visited by beings from outside the Earth, and many are sure they have seen UFOs and even see them regularly. Craig R. Myers has not only seen one, but he has held it in his hand. This was in Florida, in the middle of the famous Gulf Breeze UFO mania of twenty years ago, and the UFO which he had himself captured was of distinctly terrestrial origin, but it had been made by the hoaxer who had sparked the Gulf Breeze sightings. There are plenty of books to tell you where UFOs come from, how we can invite more of them, and what to do when one captures you. _War of the Words: The True but Strange Story of the Gulf Breeze UFO_ (Xlibris) probably won't match sales of many of those other books, but it is shocking and revelatory in its own way. It is impossible to argue, of course, that since this episode was a hoax, all UFO sightings are hoaxes and those who sight them are being fooled, but Myers has given a story with a skeptical bent that indicates the most useful way to regard such "phenomena". It is a funny book; it even includes Dave Barry's amusing column about his own visit to Gulf Breeze and his investigation of the mania. It is, however, a serious report by a journalist who covered the story at the time; skeptics ought to enjoy it and True Believers ought to learn from it.

Myers is grateful that he was around for what he calls "the most interesting, frightening and funny story of my at-that-time short career." Part of his enjoyment is that he was a reporter for the _Pensacola News Journal_, and it was the rival _The Gulf Breeze Sentinel_ that printed the UFO stories and photos, which Myers got to expose. The area had already been favored for seeing lights in the sky when local contractor Ed Walters presented (at first anonymously) photos of UFOs buzzing the area. Walters had a history of scaring people with double-exposure "spook" photographs, but he also told a strange story of heroically battling the blue telepathic ray of the UFO. It wasn't long before MUFON, the Mutual UFO Network, showed up, its members ready to continue its mission of confirming the existence of UFOs, and yes, Walter's sightings and story got their official confirmation. Myers got a scoop when he discovered in Walters's former home a paper and styrofoam-plate construction that matched Walters's photos nicely. Walters was called to the _Journal_ newsroom and was furious to see the model, claiming that the _Journal_ was involved in a conspiracy against him. The model had been planted, he insisted, and Myers had been tipped off to look for it.

It should have been an open and shut case, but it will surprise no one that those who want to believe can still find reason to believe. MUFON even put Rex and Carol Salisberry on the case, the pair they had just months before declared their "Investigators of the Year". When the Salisberrys issued their report that the photos were fakes, MUFON booted them and replaced them with investigators that could give a report more to MUFON's liking. Myers is an amusing and clever writer, and it is obvious that he enjoyed this story of deception and gullibility hugely. It pains me to report that he cannot get the objective case right in dual objects of verbs and prepositions ("Rex said he fully expect MUFON to blackball he and Carol..."), but it is a pet peeve of mine, and darn it, Myers gets it wrong every time. But grammar is not the story here, of course, and Myers has provided a fascinating in-depth look at one particular UFO story, which can be studied for general principles. It isn't so much that a prankster made fools of Gulf Breeze, but that those who were eager to believe allowed, and still allow, themselves to be fooled, even when there was evidence to show their folly.

This is an amazing book. I loved the Watchers because of the great content and constant action. If you liked Moondial or any other good Sci-fi book, the Watchers is for you!!

My son is almost 5 years old and loves this book. The actual story is quite a bit longer than most other books he owns, (29 pages with about 1 paragraph on over half of those as well as some side facts) but he doesn't seem to notice... and neither do I. We read it at least 3 times a week. The illustrations engage him, the story line keeps him listening/interacting with me, and he's learned a lot of interesting facts about outer space. For instance: he knows what Earth and Saturn look like, we need space suits to walk around, one side of Mercury is burning hot while the other is freezing cold, Mars is red because of rust, a little about comets, and so on. It's not a book to buy if you want your child to learn a lot of details, but it's perfect if you'd like to introduce them to Space. It's been a very enjoyable book for the both of us and I'm especially pleased that it's made him want to learn more about outer space.

What a Trip! is a Bring-It-All-Together book for set 2 of the Ready, Set, Read series of books. There are five books that the child reads to learn the word families being reviewed in this particular book. Word families being reviewed include: ip, et, og, ub, an, & and. There are two main things that I really like about this series. The first is the use of word families and a controlled vocabulary to teach /reinforce reading skills. The other is the story itself. It is a cute story about a bear and a lion playing together in a sandbox, using their imaginations to go on a trip. It is an interesting and funny story. My son enjoyed reading it the first time and still choses to read it. The books that go with this set are: The Tan Can, The Best Pets Yet, Pip and Kip, Frog Knows Best, and Bub and Chub.

This is a great book for kids in the 8-12 year old range. (Not for younger kids to read by themselves, though) Topics covered include star life cycles, black holes, wormholes, galaxy types, quasars, and the big bang. Nice photos and clearly explained ..

I am reviewing the compelling, exciting You Are The Detective Book by John Peel, Where In Space Is Carmen Sandiego? Daring, young detectives are challenged to outwit the nefarious Carmen Sandiego and her band of alien thieves, by traveling through the Universe on a quest for stolen objects. You will encounter many unusual informants and cryptic clues along the way, as well as plenty of humor and well-written action. This book, I feel, brings people directly into Space. It is truly imaginative, and well thought-out. Definetly a great read for anyone interested in Space, and in putting a halt to Carmen Sandiego's Space Crime Spree! Highly recommended!