Provo Library Children's Book Blog

With Artemis II venturing into space, I have a renewed excitement and interest in space travel!  If  you are also itching to play astronaut, check out the fascinating informational books below! The Astrochimps: America's First Astronauts By Dawn Cusick Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Review Press, 2024. Informational. 210 pgs. Although nearly 800 people have now traveled to space, chimpanzees beat us there.  In The Astrochimps , author Dawn Cusick details the legacy of the chimpanzees who endured strenuous physical training, often outshining their human counterparts, all in the name of space exploration and ensuring the humans to follow would do so safely.  The space program owes so much to these chimps, whose treatment would, today, be considered questionable at best, and Cusick encourages and advocates for the humane treatment of chimpanzees now. The Astronauts Guide to Leaving the Planet Written by Terry Virts Illustrated by  Andrés Lozano New York, NY: Workm...

It was a full moon yesterday! Looking up at the night sky is the perfect evening activity as the weather starts to get warmer. This month's full moon was a pink moon—the first full moon of spring! In May, we'll have a blue moon, which only happens once every few years. If you love looking at the moon in the night sky, check out these books! Moon Sailors By Naomi Woodward and Rachel Gregg San Francisco, CA: Blue Dot Kids Press, 2026. Picture Book. Two siblings set off on a dream adventure into space with their cat, exploring the celestial oceans they find on the surface of the moon. Their lunar landing leads them to dancing moon crabs, past nodding jelly moons, and under a sky of whale-shaped constellations. Muted illustrations bring their intergalactic dreamscape to life. The Star of Moon Village By Jennifer Ann Richter New York: Holiday House, 2026. Fiction. 265 pages. Priscilla has dreamed of going into space for her entire life. When she finally has the chance to go to the m...

Wanda Hears the Stars Written by Amy Hansen and Wanda Díaz Merced Illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2025. Biography. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities. --Publisher Zoo in the Sky Written by Jacqueline Mitton Illustrated by Christina Balit Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1998. Informational. Brilliantly colored paintings illustrate this introduction to constellations and the animals which ancient stargazers imagined as they made their observations of the night sky. --Editor A Star Explodes Written by James Gladstone Illustraded by Yaara Eshet Berkeley, CA: Owlkids Books, 2023. Informational. The supernova of 1054 was one of the brightest supernova events recorded in history. And its remnant, the C...

  Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) By Corey R. Tabor New York: Greenwillow Books, 2025. Picture Book. Crow does not seem to be in a good mood. His friends keep trying to talk and play with him, but Crow just shouts, "KAW!" every time. But what Crow's friends don't know is that he's secretly trying to clear the area, so that he can embark on a secret mission to save everyone from a giant asteroid on a collision course for Earth! This picture book is delightfully silly. When you first start reading the book, it seems that this story will turn into a moral lesson about why it's important to be nice to your friends. However, all that changes the second Crow climbs into the telephone pole and down into his secret base. The dry humor continues as Crow has the option to deploy bubbles and cupcakes against the asteroid, along with the more effective missiles and lasers. Overall, this will be well-enjoyed by space fans, animal lovers, and code-breakers alike (A se...

A Planet Is a Poem Written by Amanda West Lewis Illustrated by Oliver Averill Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2024. Informational.    This beautifully crafted picture book explores the wonders of our universe through the lens of poetry. It combines lyrical verses with stunning artwork to introduce young readers to space, planets, and the cosmic forces that shape our world. Each poem captures a different part of the solar system. From the swirling storms of Jupiter to the shimmering rings of Saturn, complex scientific concepts are made accessible and engaging.   Beyond its educational value, A Planet is a Poem encourages children to see the beauty of language and the power of creativity in understanding science. The book’s rhythmic verses invite readers to experience space not just as a collection of facts, but as a living, breathing entity full of mystery and beauty. This book is a perfect introduction to both poetry and astronomy, making it an inspiring read for young lea...

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. Good Night, Oppy! 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. Rover Throws a Party 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 a...

  We Are Definitely Human By X. Fang Toronto: Tundra Books, 2024. Picture Book. The trio of blue beings that can be seen on the cover of this funny picture book would like you to know that they are DEFINITELY human. 100%. For sure. They just need help fixing their...erm... car which has crash landed near the home of Mr. and Mrs. Li. Since the Li's are kind humans, they offer to help and listen as the aliens talk about their "European" home that they really needed to get back to. They even get the rest of the community involved in helping their unexpected guests. If your kids enjoy funny read-alouds where they can correct silly misinterpretations, this book is a gem. It would also be a great jumping off point to talk about how to be a good neighbor, even if people may seem a little different then you. 

When you want to go where no one has gone before, but you just don't have a rocket ship handy, instead try the convenience (and fun!) of these sci-fi books geared towards our picture book loving readers.   The Spaceman By Randy Cecil Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. A little spaceman arrives on a new planet (Earth!) and is amazed by the beauty of his surroundings.  Could Earth become the spaceman's new home?    Mousetronaut Saves the World Written by Mark Kelly Illustrated by C.F. Payne Simon & Schuster, 2024. Picture Book.  Part imagination, part informational, this book follows the mice that are called on to save Earth from an asteroid that has entered our solar system.    One Giant Leap By Thao Lam Toronto, Ontario: Owlkids Books, 2024. Picture Book.  A snowy day transforms through a child's imagination into an astronaut exploring a new, fantastical world.  Greetings, Floof! Written by C.J. Hong Illustrated by...

Space: The Final Pooping Frontier Written by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White Illustrated by Lars Kenseth New York: Godwin Books, 2024. Informational. Have you ever wondered how astronauts go to the bathroom in space? This informational book introduces the challenges of disposing of poop beyond Earth's atmosphere, where the lack of gravity can lead to some sticky situations. The book covers the uncomfortable failures of the early poop disposal protocols astronauts faced at the beginning of the Space Race, through to NASA's 2016 Space Poop Challenge design competition that revolutionized galactic waste management. Hilarity and ridiculousness abound in this timeline of space bathroom technology. Amusing anecdotes will entertain learners, like the excerpt of a transcript of Apollo 10 astronauts talking about poop. Readers will giggle at gross details of the interstellar bathroom experience and at the imaginative illustrations of hypothetical and absurd space toilet situation...

One of my newer bucket list goals is to see a total solar eclipse.  When I realized that this year's eclipse would be the week after my kids' spring break, I went into chaotic research mode to see if we could find a way to get to a part of the country where we could see the eclipse in totality.   Alas, we can't make it work this time, and I'm still not over it.  Maybe 2026 in Iceland--how cool would that be?!  Whether you can experience the eclipse in person or just wish you could, you can still have the joy of learning more about eclipses with the following informational reads! Casting Shadows: Solar and Lunar Eclipses With the Planetary Society By Bruce Betts Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Pub Group, 2024, Informational. 32 pages. Learn about the different types of eclipses, where and how you can safely see them, why they happen, and cool things that can happen during the different types of eclipses. Beautiful, full-color photographs go along with the wealth of infor...

Space is a topic of endless fascination for adults and children alike. Whether you are interested in the planets and stars, astronaut training, past missions, or speculation abut the future of space travel --there is something of interest to almost everyone within this wide-ranging topic. The following are some recent books that can answer your questions and just maybe bring up some new ones! The Astro Chimps: America's First Astronauts By Dawn Cusick Independent Pub Group, 2024. Informational. 210 pages. Did you know that the U.S. space program didn't send humans into space first? Our first astronauts were actually chimpanzees. Tasked with making sure space travel was as safe as possible for humans this top secret initiative is detailed in The Astro Chimps from the perspective of the team of veterinarians, handlers, and psychologists who worked with theses amazing animals.  The Astronaut's Guide to Leaving the Planet Written by Terry Virts Illustrated by Andrés Lozano N...

  The Mandalorian's Quest By Brooke Vitale Los Angeles : Disney-Lucasfilm Press, 2022. 24 pgs. Picture Book. The Mandalorian has a quest to reunite the Child with others of his kind. Mando and Grogu will meet new allies and enlist the help of old friends as they search for those who have become legend: the Jedi. Fuzzy By Tom Angleberger New York : Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, 2016. 265 pgs. Fiction. When Max (Maxine Zealster) befriends her new robot classmate Fuzzy, she helps him navigate Vanguard Middle School and together they reveal the truth behind the Robot Integration Program. The Galaxy Needs You By Caitlin Kennedy Illustrated by Eda Kaban Los Angeles : Disney-Lucasfilm Press, 2019. Picture Book. There is nobody else in the galaxy exactly like you! No one else is smart the way you're smart or is kind in the particular way you're kind, and nobody else is brave the way you're brave. You are a hero in the making. Follow along with Rey on her hero's journe...

The Sky is Not the Limit By Jérémie Decalf Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. Informational picture book. In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager 2 probe into deep space to help us lean a little more about outer space. Within a few years, Voyager 2 reached Jupiter, then Saturn, then finally Uranus and Neptune -- and then it sailed on. In fact, Voyager 2 is still soaring, past the edges of our solar system and into space.  This sparse and lyrical picture book offers an introduction to the story of Voyager 2 and a sense of the vastness of space. Told in first person, from the perspective of the famous space probe, the text follows the journey of the spacecraft from creation and then through space. The illustrations are rich and breathtaking and convey the enormity of outer space with full-bleed illustrations. This creative nonfiction book will not tell all the nitty gritty details of Voyager, but will serve as a perfect attention-getter for young readers.

  Astrid the Astronaut: The Astronomically Grand Plan Written by Rie Neal  Illustrated by Talitha Shipman Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2022. Intermediate. 97 pages. Astrid's Astronomically Grand Plan has many steps, but they all lead up to her being the first astronaut in space who uses hearing aids. She is finally old enough to join the STEM after-school program called the Shooting Stars, where they do activities and projects to learn about space. Joining this club with her best friend, Hallie, is just one of the steps in her grand plan. Astrid has to make a new plan and new friends when it turns out that her best friend would rather do the art club. She learns to make new friends, work together, and that there's more than one way to solve a problem.  There are so many elements of this book that young readers can connect to. It is so relatable with the themes of friendship, growth mindset, and teamwork. STEM and space enthus...

  Space Explorers By: Libby Jackson Beyond Words, 2021. Informational. The universe has always fascinated humans, but only a few have been daring enough to travel beyond the surface of the Earth. From the first man and woman in space to the moon landings to building the International Space Station in orbit, the history of space exploration is filled with peril, bravery, and strokes of genius. Mysteries of the Universe By: Lela Nargi Capstone Press, 2021. Informational. Has the universe always existed? Scientists have looked further into space and discovered the galaxies moving. Were they once closer together? If scientists look far enough, can they discover where our universe started? Budding astronomers will learn all about the universe in the in-depth look at space science. The Little Spacecraft That Could: New Horizons' Amazing Journey to Pluto and Arrokoth By: Joyce Lapin Sterling Children's Books, 2021. Informational. Ride along with the New Horizons spacecraft as she rock...

Stargazing is the perfect cross between learning and fun, with the added benefit of letting you enjoy the outdoors - even when it's dark! Here are five books to help you take advantage of warm weather and clear skies:  Ada and the Galaxies Written by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv Illustrated by Susanna Chapman Somerville, MA: MIT Kids Press, 2021. Picture Book.  Ada loves to look at the stars, but where she lives in New York City there is too much light pollution to see them. After waiting all winter to visit her grandparents on a remote island, she finally gets her chance! Interspersed with interesting facts and captivating illustrations about stars and galaxies, this story will hold the attention of even the most novice astronomers.  Journey to Constellation Station Written by Lindsay C. Barry Illustrated by Jamin Hoyle Santa Fe, NM: Santa Fe Writers Project, 2020. Picture Book. Journey to Constellation Station is a beginning introduction to well known constellation...

I loved books about aliens when I was a kid.  One of my very favorite series was "My Teacher is an Alien" by Bruce Coville, so much so that in a journal from my youth I had a list of baby names that I liked and one of the names, I kid you not, was Nikka Nikka Flexxim Puspa (from book four, "My Teacher Flunked the Planet").  Don't worry, I planned on calling them Nikka for short.  Face palm.  I still highly suggest Mr. Coville for some fun alien reading, but check out the list below for some new science fiction reads  that star our extraterrestrial friends.   Alien Summer By James S. Murray Penguin Workshop, 2022. Fiction.  On the first day of summer vacation twelve-year-old Viv Harlow just wants to relax, but when a whole race of aliens escape from the famous Area 51 where her mom works, Viv and her friends will have to make a plan, work together, and try to save their parents from alien abduction. The Secrets of Star Whales By Rebecca Thorne Joll...