The Best Solar System or Space Books for Your Classroom
Get students engaged in learning about the solar system with these exciting books around planets, constellations, the moon, the sun, Pluto, astronauts and other fun space related topics with these fun read alouds and picture books. These solar system read alouds are perfect for ANY elementary classroom and will compliment any solar system unit perfectly.
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years is a great book that shares nonfiction facts about the earth while still keeping the attention of young students. The illustrations are beautiful, and it gives a history of the earth as well as important facts about taking are of our beautiful planet.
This is a great way to gather nonfiction facts about the earth or to talk about how our planet is part of a larger solar system.
Sun! One in a Billion
Sun! One in a Billion is a great text that teaches students about the special star that our solar system revolves around. This book is written like an “autobiography” where the sun is telling important facts in a funny and fun way for students.
This picture book is a GREAT way to launch your segment learning about the sun, or for any passionate student wanting to learn more about the solar system.
Moon! Earth’s Best Friend
As a compliment to Sun and Earth, Moon! Earth’s Best Friend is another “autobiography” in which we learn that while moon is a rock, she is more than JUST a rock. It talks about the bond between Earth and Moon in a relatable, yet knowledge transferring way.
These books are the perfect balance between read aloud fun and nonfiction facts. They are not to be missed for your solar system or space unit!
Moon’s First Friends
In Moon’s First Friends, Moon spends her whole life watching Earth and all of the visitors that come there. She waits and waits for someone to come visit her, when FINALLY a spaceship from Earth heads her way.
This text is a heartwarming story that also gives informational text about the first humans that traveled to the moon. This is great for a younger audience, but teaches a heartwarming lesson and is a great hook for any unit about the moon or astronauts traveling to the moon.
All My Friends are Planets
Are you looking for a good way to talk to your students about planets, dwarf planets, and what exactly happened with Pluto? All My Friends are Planets is a GREAT launching pad for these conversations.
In this book, Pluto always thought he was a planet, but also always felt left out or like he didn’t belong. It is a great book that includes both factual information but also tells an acceptance story when Pluto learns to accept his new title of Dwarf Planet.
Mousetronaut
Mousetronaut is an exciting tale about the first mouse that visited space. It is a partially true, partially fiction story about a little mouse working hard to be ready for the mission to space, and then is chosen for the flight. This little mouse plays a big role in space when something goes wrong and they need a small creature to save the day!
This would be a great way to talk to younger kids about astronauts, or to talk about the training required to become an astronaut. It also tells a great story about standing up for yourself, perseverance and not to judge a book by it’s cover or size.
Mae Among the Stars
This text about the first black female astronaut is a must have for your solar system read alouds. Mae Among the Stars discusses how challenging the role of an astronaut is to obtain, and how Mae perseveres to make her dream of becoming an astronaut a reality.
This would be a great introduction to talk to any aged students about becoming an astronaut, but also is a great inspirational text about achieving your dreams and working hard.
Mae Jemison
This nonfiction text is perfect beginner biography about Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut in space. It follows her journey from childhood to adulthood and how hard she worked to set and achieve her goals.
She has many passions, and even becomes a doctor, but cannot give up on her dream of flying to space. This beautifully written and illustrated book is perfect for any elementary classroom looking to expand their solar system read alouds.
Who Was Sally Ride?
In Who Was Sally Ride? students will learn all about the first woman astronaut that flew into space. This factual biography is written in a fun way with illustrations and diagrams to help students comprehend what they are reading.
The Who Was series makes for a perfect whole group read aloud, where you could read one chapter per day. It can also be used for independent work, passion projects, astronaut research and more. This is great for older elementary classrooms, 2nd grade and older.
Who Was Neil Armstrong?
One giant leap for mankind, all summarized in one emergent reader chapter book. Who Was Neil Armstrong? is a great biography about the first man who ever walked on the moon. Students will learn so much, and it is a great way to talk about the differences between space travel then and now.
The Who Was series makes for a perfect whole group read aloud, where you could read one chapter per day. It can also be used for independent work, passion projects, astronaut research and more. This is great for older elementary classrooms, 2nd grade and older.
Life on Mars
Life on Mars is about a young astronaut that is convinced that there is life to be found on Mars. He looks high and low, and has even brought a pack of cupcakes to share with any life-form that he found. Unfortunately, his mission is unsuccessful and he decides to travel back home. On his way home, he gets hungry and decides to eat his cupcakes. But… they are all gone!
This is a fun and funny way to talk about life beyond Earth, or to start your discussion about the planet Mars.
The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal
In The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal, we learn about how the Sun works tirelessly to make the earth run smoothly, as the solar system’s own star. In this book of puns, we learn all about the various jobs that the sun has including keeping together the solar system, being in charge of night and day and keeping people warm.
This book is funny but also very informative. It is a great mix of facts and fun, and is perfect for any elementary classroom.
Zoo in the Sky and Once Upon a Starry Night
Zoo in the Sky and Once Upon a Starry Night are beautifully illustrated and written texts about the constellations that can be found in the starry sky. Each page talks about a different animal or person that you can find in the night sky, how they got there and how they are all related.
Typically, I read about 1-2 constellations a day. I do not show students the illustrations, but rather have them draw a picture and write down what they remember. Then, we go back and see the illustration(s) from that day. The next day, we review the previous constellations, then learn about 1-2 more.
The Constellations: Stars and Stories
The Constellations: Stars and Stories is a great text to teach about the various constellations in our planet. Each page details a different constellation in detail. It stories how they got their names, what they look like and how to find them.
This is a great way to talk to students about mythology and our night sky. Students will love learning about constellations and this book makes it easy!
Resources You May Like:
Are you looking for a unit to help students gather their notes on planets, the solar system and constellations? Check out these units below:
What are your favorite solar system read alouds? Drop them in the comments below!
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