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Books That Take You There: Mars

For a long time, humans have dreamed about living on planet neighbor, Mars. There are so many books and movies about colonies on the dusty red planet that spark our hope and imagination for a life on another world. Here are some picture books that will make you feel like you know what it's like on Mars.

Written by James McGowan
Illustrated by Graham Carter
New York: Boyds Mills Press, 2021. Picture Book.

This book follows Oppy, who was an active rover on Mars from 2004 to 2018. He had many different tasks and made some famous discoveries including the existence of groundwater on the red planet. This book is a fun yet informative picture book that will teach all readers about life on Mars.

Written by Kristin L. Gray
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
New York: Alfred A Knopf, 2020. Picture Book.

The Curiosity rover is a bit lonely after a year on Mars, so it decides to throw a party! The rover works hard to prepare for the party and send invitations all over the planet, but will anyone come? After reading this sweet story, you will wish you could attend the party, as well as learn a few things about the planet.

Written by Brianna Caplan Sayres
Illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2020. Picture Book.

After her mom leaves for her night shift as an engineer at NASA, this young girl imagines what it would be like on a space mission to Mars and to be travelling with the Curiosity rover. This book told in rhymes is the perfect bedtime story for your aspiring astronaut.

Written by Susana Leonard Hill
Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2020. Picture Book.

Mars is lonely and his sibling planets won't play with him. When the Spirit and Opportunity rovers show up, he finally has someone to play with! This charming picture book with have you grinning and will teach you more about space and the red planet.

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