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amyable
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Due to lack of space, I am trying to weed out our books until I'm left with the best of the best. I seem to have a ton of books on the planets, stars, etc, but they seem very textbookish and boring. My children never grab them to look at (and if no one is ever looking at it, out it goes! LOL)
We are a science oriented family though, and my oldest (8) has expressed interest in space and astronauts, so I'd like to have *something* around about space or any parts of space.
So are there beautiful, living books out there about space? My kids are 8 and under, but I'm willing to get something for them to 'grow into' if it's really good!
Thanks!
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Jen L.
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This list has a couple of good options, I think. The Rey book is fun to look at. Archimedes and the Door of Science is a good book for older kids.
Book List
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Chari
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I really don't have anything to offer.......but, I wanted to say, when I first read your thread title.....my mind jumped right to the CS Lewis' space trilogy! 
NOW that would be a bit of reality-based science!
have you read those, Amy?
sorry to go off your topic a bit, sort of..... 
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Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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amyable
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Chari wrote:
my mind jumped right to the CS Lewis' space trilogy!
NOW that would be a bit of reality-based science!
have you read those, Amy? |
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Haven't read them yet, but I *love* Lewis and am only recently finding out how much, so haven't read everything yet.
Thank you Chari and Jen, these suggestions are a great start to head me in the right direction! 
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Amy
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MacBeth
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Amy, check out my astronomy page, too. I have some living books if you scroll down. I also have listed individual books on the planets, though most of these are on every library shelf.
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MacBeth in NY
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MaryM
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There's a book I've been meaning to recommend as an excellent space book but never got around to mentioning it. This is the perfect thread. The book is The Way the Universe Works from DK Publishing. It is a thorough book on things related to the universe. I like that it has everything in one place - solar system, individual planets, stars, galaxies. The illustrations are colorful and engaging (include both photos and drawings). Each page is a mosaic of information - explaining different aspects of the universe, properties of space, technology, and space veiwing in small chunks (also includes some and biography) - typical of the DK formats. What really impressed me was the great experiments and demonstrations that dovetail with each topic. There are 60 demonstrations/experiments in the book. All are pretty straight forward using equipment from around the house. It's one of the best collections of experiments I've seen - very visually appealing.
Examples: using coffee and cream to illustrate a spiral galazy or bread dough and raisins to illustrate expansion of the universe. In fact I still have my Mars surface (wet sand with a cut-up steel wool pad sprinkled over it - after the water evaporates it leaves a rust-red colored surface- iron like on Mars) on the counter, which needs to be put away - but I had it there as a reminder to post about the book.
I really like that it is balanced between engaging information and experiments/demonstrations. Most other books I've seen are predominantly informational or predominantly experimental - this is an excellent blend.
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Rachel May
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Hooray! Thank you for starting this thread! The boys got a sudden passion for the galaxy this week, we have a lego solar system in the works although we are still trying to figure out how to put the rings on Saturn. All I needed were some good books to go along with it. I can't wait to hit the library.
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Chari
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amyable wrote:
Chari wrote:
my mind jumped right to the CS Lewis' space trilogy!
NOW that would be a bit of reality-based science!
have you read those, Amy? |
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Haven't read them yet, but I *love* Lewis and am only recently finding out how much, so haven't read everything yet.
Thank you Chari and Jen, these suggestions are a great start to head me in the right direction! |
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Amy....I just want to be clear  ......Lewis' books are for YOU, the grown-up....not your little ones.......and also, they are not really about "space" per se........but, they are a must-read! Let us know how you enjoy them..........hmm....maybe next summer we should read the trilogy for the summer book club????
enjoy!
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Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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MacBeth
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Hey Chari! About the little ones--  Paul loves Out of the Silent Planet and the others--we have the audio versions (available here). I'm familiar with the books, so we do occasionally fast forward through a sentence or two, but no more than that. The good vs. evil themes are soooo wonderful, and all the kids have enjoyed listening to the books. They are great adventure stories.
And who was it who said, "Never let science get in the way of a great story!"? They are not scientifically correct at all, but are as fun and inspiring as Jules Verne or H. G. Wells (but way better because the Christian theme is so strong).
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JennGM
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If we're going with non-scientific accuracy, one book that stands out in my mind is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I know not everyone is keen on her works, but this one made quite an impression on me!
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MacBeth
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This just in!
I just checked out Dava Sobel's The Planets, and it is wonderful. You can read it yourself, or read it to the kids. Chapters are short, and while it does not have the lush illustrations of some books, it does treat the subject from many angles, both scientific and mythological. One thing I noticed immediately is the separate chapters entitled "Mythology" and "Genesis". Sobel discusses Genesis from a scientific POV, but does not lump it in with pagan mythologies. The book is not written from a creationist perspective, but it is respectful. The Planets includes music, literature and science, and is a breezy read.
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Jen L.
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MacBeth wrote:
| Amy, check out my astronomy page, too. I have some living books if you scroll down. I also have listed individual books on the planets, though most of these are on every library shelf. |
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I can't believe that I forgot your page, MacBeth  -- it's usually the first place I go!
Jen L.
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MacBeth
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Jen L. wrote:
I can't believe that I forgot your page, MacBeth -- it's usually the first place I go!
Jen L. |
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No worries, Jen. The site is just there for fun!
Another site that I have found wonderful for science equipment and fun is SK. I think I may have mentioned it before...but I was browsing for astronomy items, and found the Stellar Evolution Board Game that looks terrific. They have tons of great games, books, and kits for astronomy...browse for ideas! I can't decide what to get the kids, there's so much great stuff. I am hoping to stuff some stockings with useful stuff instead of junk . Put in the keyword "astronomy" and see 14 pages of astro-fun.
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Kelly
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Amy,
I don't know how old your children are, but here are a few very UNscientific but fun space reads for the younger set:
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet - Eleanor Cameron
Stowaway to the Mushroom Planet (the sequel) & Mr. Bass's Planetoid, also by E. Cameron
The Space Ship Under the Apple Tree by Louis Slobodkin
The Space Ship Returns to the Apple Tree (sequel)
Danny Dunn and the Voice from Space
Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint by Jay Williams
Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars by Ellen MacGregor
FWIW, my 16 year old just read books one and two of the CS Lewis space trilogy and really enjoyed them, especially the first one. Just starting on number three. Excellent books! Definitely "meaty".
Kelly in FL
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stacykay
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I found this thread in my search for astronomy help, as we are focusing on that this summer.
I found a sweet book (for the first four pages we got through in the doctor's office) in which I thought you may be interested. It is called Sea of Tranquility. Description: A man remembers his boyhood fascination with the moon and the night mankind first bounced through the dust in the Sea of Tranquillity. I have reserved a copy on our library interloan.
I was very interested in Apologia's Astronomy, but am trying to save some money this year. Through all of the great recommendations I have found from all of you, our library, Enchanted Learning's site (which I did subscribe to,) and what we have already on hand, I hope to cover the bases and spark my boys' interest and wonder in this subject.
My dh loved his "fun" astronomy class from college, and he is in charge of teaching constellations and pointing out planets with our dss telescope.
Also looking into a trip to UM's observatory.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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ShawnaB
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I did a Solar System unit this year with my kindergartener. One of our favorite books was:
Is a Blue What the Biggest Thing There Is?
I loved it because it really help ds (and me too!) conceptualize the size of the solar system, the planets, and the distances from one planet to another. I highly recommend this little gem!
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Topic: Living books on outer space?
