20+ Star Books for Kids

Space Books for Preschoolers are always a hit, and this collection of book recommendation specifically focuses on our top 20 Star Books for Kids!

Picture Books About Stars

My daughter, Ella, has always been fascinated by space, and it’s always been a hit in my daycare whenever I bring out a space book or set up a space-themed activity, but I find that my daycare kids are very specific.

They will want to only discuss the moon, or only the stars, or only one particular planet. While there are some great space books for kids out there, when they are interested in STARS, they do not want to hear a book about the moon.

So, I’ve collected 20 Picture Books about Stars – from beautiful works of fiction to kid-friendly non-fiction books, and some gorgeous multicultural works. Most of these books are books that we’ve read and enjoyed, while a couple are titles that were recommended to me by other teachers.

I hope these books fascinate and help further your little stargazer’s love of stars!

Space Books for Preschoolers

Star in the Jar by Sam Hay

When a little boy stumbles across a special star, he puts it in a jar and takes it on adventures. Together with his big sister, he takes his special treasure with him everywhere – to the cinema, to the swimming pool and even to the toilet!

But the poor star is sad and misses its home . . . Can the little boy and his big sister find a way to send the star safely back?

 

How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

There once was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend and how they could play hide-and-go-seek together.

So, one day, he decided to set about catching a star of his very own. (from the illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit)

The Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley

The Big Dipper is one of the easiest constellations to recognize and this Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science book will help young stargazers find it, and it’s companion, the Little Dipper. And once you’ve begun to learn about the constellations, well, the sky’s the limit! (This one I’d recommend borrowing from the library.)

 

Stars! Stars! Stars! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Minna is a stargazer. She looks at the nighttime sky and wonders, What are stars? Minna’s friends wonder about stars too. How far away are they? Are they really shaped like stars? Is the sun a star? At the Children’s Museum, Minna and her friends visit STAR SPACE. The children learn . . . and wonder . . . learn . . . and wonder. Then they go outside and stargaze! Recipes for star-shaped food and an activity page are included.

Zoo in the Sky by Jaqueline Mitton

This award-winning book capturing the glittering light show of the constellations is now available in paperback. Take an illuminating ride through the starry night sky with National Geographic’s Zoo in the Sky! Little Bear and the Great Bear in the Northern Sky; the scaly dragon winding his long tail; the Great Dog chasing the Hare in the Southern Sky; all are beautifully rendered in Christina Balit’s vibrant art, studded with shiny stars, which perfectly illustrates Jacqueline Mitton’s rich text.

 

Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Helen Berger

When day is done, and shadows begin to deepen, it is time for Grandfather Twilight to close his book, put on his jacket, and go for a walk through the forest.

Litle birds hush as he walks by, and the rabbits and other small woodland creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task and returns to his house among the trees. Small readers and listeners, too, will sense the serentiy of this poetic story, and will be comforted to learn that the twilight is a gentle, friendly time.

Night Lights by Susan Gal

Susan Gal tells the story of a child’s evening routine through all the different kinds of lights that shine in the night. From the porch light by the front door, to the firelight (and firefly light!) of a backyard cookout, and the candles on a cake, everything seems to glow in this warm and cozy book. When the lightning of a sudden summer storm sends the action inside, there is light there too–a bedside light to read by, a flashlight to make shadows with, a night-light to keep you company, and the moonlight for sweet dreams.

 

Blackout by John Rocco

One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, “Mommm!” His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can’t work on her computer, and Dad can’t finish cooking dinner. What’s a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights–in stars that can be seen for a change–and so many neighbors it’s like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun–talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts.

The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal . . . but not everyone likes normal. The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again.

Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle

“Draw me a star. And the artist drew a star. It was a good star. Draw me a sun, said the star. And the artist drew a sun.” And on the artist draws, bringing the world to life picture by beautiful picture until he is spirited across the night sky by a star that shines on all he has made. In “Draw Me a Star,” Eric Carle celebrates the imagination in all of us with a beguiling story about a young artist who creates a world of light and possibility. A remarkable, quintessentially simple book encompassing Creation, creativity, and the cycle of life within the eternal. — “Kirkus Reviews,” Pointer review

 

Fancy Nancy Sees Stars by Jane O’Connor

Nancy absolutely adores stars. She loves how they sparkle in the sky, and she can even name the constellations. Nancy can hardly wait for her class visit to the planetarium!

Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu

Silly is used to feeling left out. Her three older sisters think she’s too little for most things-especially when it comes to dealing with their mother’s unpredictable moods and outbursts. This summer, Silly feels more alone than ever when her sisters keep whispering and sneaking away to their rooms together, returning with signs that something mysterious is afoot: sporting sunburned cheeks smudged with glitter and gold hair that looks like tinsel.

When Silly is brought into her sisters’ world, the truth is more exciting than she ever imagined. The sisters have discovered a magical place that gives them what they truly need: an escape from the complications of their home life. But there are dark truths there, too. Silly hopes the magic will be the secret to saving their family, but she’s soon forced to wonder if it could tear them apart.

 

The Man Made of Stars by Lisa Evans

The man made of stars is hard at work every night, bringing more and more light to the world, bit by bit. But what is his secret, and where does he go every evening when he walks out past town with his lantern twinkling? This is the story of one curious child who, determined to come up with an answer to this mystery, discovers something incredible about himself. It is a reminder that small acts have great consequences, and that there is always room for more light in the world.

How the Stars Fell into the Sky : A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton

This retelling of a Navajo folktale explains how First Woman tried to write the laws of the land using stars in the sky, only to be thwarted by the trickster Coyote.

 

Star Boy by Paul Goble

Star Boy was the son of Morning Star and an earthly bride. He was banished from the Sky World for his mother’s disobedience and bore a mysterious scar on his face, the symbol of the Sun’s disapproval.

As Star Boy grew, he came to love the chief’s daughter, and it was she who helped him find the courage to journey to Sky World and make peace with the Sun. The Sun not only lifted the scar but sent Star Boy back to the world with the sacred knowledge of the Sun Dance, a ceremony of thanks for the Creator’s blessing.

Non-Fiction Books:

Star Stuff : Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Ross Sisson

When Carl Sagan was a young boy he went to the 1939 World’s Fair and his life was changed forever. From that day on he never stopped marveling at the universe and seeking to understand it better. Star Stuff follows Carl from his days star gazing from the bedroom window of his Brooklyn apartment, through his love of speculative science fiction novels, to his work as an internationally renowned scientist who worked on the Voyager missions exploring the farthest reaches of space. This book introduces the beloved man who brought the mystery of the cosmos into homes across America to a new generation of dreamers and star gazers.

 

Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes

This beautiful book is the latest addition to the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series. These colourful pages will introduce young children to the wonders of space, with colourful illustrations by David Aguilar and simple text that is perfect for beginning readers or for reading aloud. (This one I’d recommend borrowing from the library.)

 

Stargazers by Gail Gibbons

After the sun sets, on clear nights points of light begin to appear in the sky. But when we look up at the night sky, what are we seeing? Basic facts about the stars, as well as how we look at and learn about them, are introduced through simple text and bold illustrations. From ancient names for constellations to modern innovations in telescope technology, this book covers a broad range of ideas without overwhelming the reader. It introduces and reinforces important vocabulary for the aspiring astronomer, explaining everything in clear, simple phrases.

 

Comets by Melanie Chrismer

Describes what comets are, where they come from, and how they make shooting stars. Includes vocabulary word hunt with pronunciations, glossary, and index; labeled diagrams and timelines; and beautiful, full-color photographs. (This one I’d recommend borrowing from the library.)

Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey

A delightfully illustrated, informative beginner’s guide to locating and identifying constellations in the northern hemisphere, with an extensive index, glossary, and time table for sky viewing.

 

Glow-in-the-Dark Constellationsby  CE Thompson

From Andromeda to Pegasus, Orion to the Big Dipper, this super informative guide covers it all with dazzling glow-in-the-dark illustrations of the constellations, eight sky maps, and fascinating retellings of the legends behind the constellations. Helpful tips on locating stars in the night sky through every season of the year make this a book the whole family can enjoy together.

 

Our Stars by Anne Rockwell

Scientists use telescopes and satellites to study the stars. But even though they’re far away, stars are part of your world, too! Just lift up your eyes to see.
Anne Rockwell explains the universe with bright pictures and simple text in a book that will delight any curious child’s mind! (I found this book quite simple and would normally recommend just borrowing from the library, but it’s a favorite with my daycare kids.)

 

Pin this Collection of the Best Star Picture Books for Kids:

This Collection of 20+ Picture Books about Stars offers a variety of fictional stories and non-fiction guides, perfect for the classroom or home library.

For more fun space activities for kids, check out our Space Sensory Bin or our Space Yoga for Kids.