10+ Best Space Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to blast off into outer space from the comfort of your home? Look no further! Our curated selection of space books for 7-year-olds is packed with exciting adventures and fascinating facts that will spark any young astronaut's imagination. Whether you're looking to gift a budding space enthusiast or just adding to your child's library, keep reading to discover our top picks for space books that are sure to entertain and educate!

Fun Space Books for 7-Year-Olds

• There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: Join the Cat in the Hat as he takes young readers on a fascinating trip into space, exploring planets, stars, and the moon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to introduce basic astronomy to children, combining silly rhymes with factual information.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy Dr. Seuss's style and are curious about the universe.

• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes, illustrated by David A. Aguilar
  • Genre(s): Educational, Reference
  • Synopsis: This colorful book introduces young children to the wonders of space, including the solar system, stars, and galaxies, with simple text and vivid illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for young children, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love learning facts through pictures and those with a budding interest in science.

• The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Ms. Frizzle and her class go on an adventurous field trip through the solar system, where they learn about planets and space phenomena.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with education, making learning about space exciting and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a mix of fantasy and real-world facts.

• Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a fun and factual look at what it takes to become an astronaut, from training to taking off into space.
  • Why we recommend this book: It gives a detailed, kid-friendly glimpse into the life of astronauts, inspiring future space explorers.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring astronauts and children who dream of space travel.

• Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: Narrated from the perspective of Curiosity, the Mars rover, this book tells the story of its journey from conception to its tasks on Mars.
  • Why we recommend this book: It personalizes a real-world space mission, making the scientific endeavor relatable and inspiring.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in robotics and space missions, and those who enjoy stories about exploration and discovery.

Educational Space Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Space: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK
  • Genre(s): Reference, Educational
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive visual encyclopedia covers everything from the Big Bang to the latest discoveries in space exploration.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge about space, visual learning, understanding complex systems
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses stunning visuals and clear explanations to make complex information about space accessible and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and kids who love facts and detailed illustrations.

• Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space by Dr. Dominic Walliman, illustrated by Ben Newman
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: Professor Astro Cat takes children on a journey through the cosmos, exploring the solar system, the universe, and the mysteries of space.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Astronomy basics, critical thinking, curiosity about the universe
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines detailed scientific facts with fun and engaging illustrations, perfect for making learning enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a blend of humor and science.

• The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield, illustrated by The Fan Brothers
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield, this book tells the story of a young boy who overcomes his fear of the dark to realize his dream of becoming an astronaut.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Overcoming fears, inspiration, pursuing dreams
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that encourages children to dream big and overcome their fears, with beautiful illustrations that capture the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have fears to conquer and dreams of space.

• See Inside Space Stations and Other Spacecraft by Rosie Dickins, illustrated by Shaw Nielsen
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Educational
  • Synopsis: This lift-the-flap book takes young readers inside various spacecraft and space stations, showing how astronauts live and work in space.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of space technology, interactive learning, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hands-on learning experience that makes the technology and life in space come alive for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy interactive reading and learning how things work.

• Moon! Earth's Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
  • Genre(s): Science, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Told from the perspective of the Moon itself, this charming book explores the special relationship between the Earth and its only natural satellite.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Earth-Moon system, personification, environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a unique and engaging way to learn about the Moon and its importance to Earth in a friendly, accessible narrative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with personification and those interested in learning about Earth’s natural satellite in a fun way.

Challenging Space Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Mysteries of the Universe by Will Gater
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: Discover the wonders of the universe, from black holes to the Big Bang, and everything in between. Each page offers detailed insights into the cosmos.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex astronomical concepts and theories that go beyond basic space knowledge, encouraging advanced understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive look at the universe that is both informative and visually stunning, sparking curiosity about advanced topics in astronomy.
  • Perfect for: Young astronomers who are ready to explore deeper into the mysteries of space.

• Older Than The Stars by Karen C. Fox, illustrated by Nancy Davis
  • Genre(s): Science, Poetry
  • Synopsis: This book combines vibrant illustrations with a poetic narrative to explain the Big Bang and the origins of the universe in a way that's accessible to children.
  • Why this book is challenging: The poetic form mixed with complex scientific concepts provides a unique challenge, blending creativity with science.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a creative approach to learning about the universe's origins, making complex scientific ideas engaging and understandable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy science and art, and those interested in the storytelling of the universe.

• Gravity by Jason Chin
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This visually stunning book explains the concept of gravity by showing what would happen if it stopped working. The simple, clear text combined with imaginative illustrations makes a complex concept accessible.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces and explains a fundamental physics concept that is pivotal to understanding how the universe operates.
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies a complex scientific principle in a way that is engaging and easy to understand for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about physics and enjoy visually driven explanations.

• Destination: Space by Dr. Christoph Englert, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: Journey across the cosmos and explore galaxies, stars, and the possibilities of space travel in this richly illustrated book.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of topics from basic to advanced concepts in astronomy and space travel, challenging young minds to grasp more complex ideas.
  • Why we recommend this book: It broadens the horizons of young readers with its detailed exploration of space, encouraging deeper understanding and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about the vastness and possibilities of space beyond our solar system.

• Planetarium by Raman Prinja, illustrated by Chris Wormell
  • Genre(s): Reference, Educational
  • Synopsis: Part of the 'Welcome to the Museum' series, this book acts as a virtual planetarium with detailed illustrations and informative text on celestial bodies and space phenomena.
  • Why this book is challenging: The level of detail and scientific accuracy presents a more rigorous exploration of space science, suitable for advanced young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It serves as an excellent educational resource that provides in-depth information about the universe in a museum-like format.
  • Perfect for: Kids who crave a more academic approach to learning about space and those who would enjoy a museum-like experience in a book.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the universe of space books with your 7-year-old, you're on an exciting journey. To make the most of this adventure, it's great to develop some solid reading habits early on. Here are a few fun and effective exercises to help your young reader get the most out of their space-themed books.

• Create a Space Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Make a list of new or interesting words found in space books.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of space-related terms.
  • Tips: Use colorful markers or stickers to make this activity more engaging.

• Summarize the Story
  • What it is: After reading, discuss or write down the main points of the story.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of complete sentences to describe the story.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Strengthens memory and understanding through visualization.
  • Tips: Provide a variety of art supplies to make this exercise more exciting.

• Ask Space Questions
  • What it is: Come up with questions about the story and discuss them.
  • How it helps: Encourages curiosity and deeper understanding of the content.
  • Tips: Turn this into a fun game by taking turns asking questions.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading the book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Helps with pronunciation and builds reading confidence.
  • Tips: Use funny voices for different characters to make it more fun.

• Link the Story to Real Space Facts
  • What it is: Connect events or facts in the book with real-world space knowledge.
  • How it helps: Enhances learning by relating fiction to actual information.
  • Tips: Use the internet or reference books to find real space facts that match the story.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only boost your child's interest in space but also develop their reading skills in a fun and interactive way. So, grab your next space book and blast off into a universe of learning and excitement!