On July 20, 2019, we marked the anniversary of the first humans on the moon. These admirably courageous astronauts defied limitations in this incredible feat. Prepare for this landmark anniversary with our specially selected children’s books about the moon below.
Many books are being released this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary. They are helpfully sorted into three categories: landing on the moon, stories about the moon, and informational books about the moon.
Children’s Books About the Moon
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Landing on the Moon
Daring Dozen: The Twelve Who Walked on the Moon is a fascinating new release by Suzanne Slade, we learn about the fascinating discoveries made in the multiple missions made to the moon between 1969 and 1972. Slade, a former mechanical engineer brings her own passion for rockets and detailed research including real conversations had by astronauts and an afterword by Alan Bean, who was the fourth astronaut ever on the moon.
Looking for an upbeat way to teach young children about the moon? Look no further than Eight Days Gone by Linda McReynolds. This book has a rhythmic flow that invites readers of all ages to relive the first historic moon mission.
Get your preorder ready! Set to release in June is Chris Gall’s Go for the Moon: A Rocket, a Boy, and the First Moon Landing. Gall weaves in fascinating scientific facts in this realistic story about a young boy making his own preparations from Earth while awaiting the historic Apollo 11 mission.
The First Men Who Went to the Moon by Rhonda Gowler Greene is sure to capture the attention of aspiring astronauts with rhythmic prose and factual information helpfully supplied alongside the story. This new book is sure to inspire as well as introduce new and important vocabulary surrounding the moon landing.
Smithsonian Reader: Apollo 11: Mission to the Moon by Courtney Acampora is a great primer for basic facts about the moon and the remarkable journey to the moon.
Stories About the Moon (fiction)
Astronaut Annie by Suzanne Slade offers readers a glimpse into the out of this world dreams of a young black girl. She basks in the glow of her supportive family as they try to guess her future career path. Curious kids will also enjoy the backmatter about women in space and the moon itself.
What would be the ultimate class trip? I’m pretty sure Field Trip to the Moon by John Hare captures it perfectly. In this wordless picture book, children get to enrich their vocabulary by adding their own words to this imaginative tale.
Grab some moon-inspired munchies as you blast off to the most adventurous and fun celebration in If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon by Joyce Lapion. Scientific facts are sprinkled amongst the descriptions of the most fun-filled birthday ever. Good times with little gravity!
A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple envisions Neil Armstrong’s life as a young boy, always fascinated with the moon and promising her a visit one day. As he ages from boy to teen to man, he becomes the astronaut he always dreamed of and finally makes good on his promise.
Newly released Papa Put a Man on the Moon by Kristy Dempsey is an endearing book that educates us about those working behind the scenes to keep our astronauts safe and their mission successful. It has a great lesson about how everyone’s role is important – no matter how small it seems!
Informational Books About the Moon
Check out the latest addition to the Our Universe series with Moon: Earth’s Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty. With gentle wit and sweet personification, this book tells the moon’s origin story from the very moon herself.
Moon’s First Friends by Susanna Leonard Hill takes readers on a journey through time from the Moon’s perspective, lonely and admiring the many exciting events, animals, and people that roam the Earth. The astronauts from Apollo 11 finally make her longing for friendship a reality.
The Astronaut Who Painted the Moonby Dean Robbins introduces readers to Alan Bean – the fourth astronaut on the moon and also a talented painter. You will marvel at the trajectory of Alan’s life, from a little boy dreaming of planes to a pilot, astronaut, and artist.
Moon by Britta Teckentrup is the perfect pick for some peek-a-boo fun while learning about the moon. Spanning the world and its range of diverse habitats, the moon moves in predictable phases each month and this book highlights these cleverly through the use of stunning die-cuts.
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11by Brian Floca takes an astronomically complex topic and breaks it down into a beautiful retelling of the inspiring mission it was. Budding astronauts will love the factual specifics Floca gives as he inspires us all with the courage and determination of the astronauts who ventured into the unknown.
Grab The Printable Moon Book List
I created a printable book list for you of all the moon books above. It’s great for taking to the library or tucking in your lesson plan binder.
Moon Activity Pack
Blast off to the moon with these great moon book activities for kids. —>I Want the Moon/Space Pack
Related Posts:
Rocket to the Moon (sight word activity)
Space Birthday Party from Days With Grey
3,2,1 blast off to the moon!
*Thank you to Katy from Reading Lady Katy for contributing to this post for Growing Book by Book. Katy Klimczuk is a mother of two little ones who lives with her family in the Detroit, Michigan area. She is a former elementary school teacher and literacy specialist who now works remotely as a book curator and blogger sharing her passion for early literacy. She can on Instagram and Facebook @readingladykaty.
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