Journey to Mars with our Junior Non-Fiction
Journey to mars with this selection of space-themed junior non-fiction.
Go on a mission to Mars by Colin Stuart
Co-ordinates for a mission to Mars have been locked into your navigation computer. But there are a few things you need to know before getting there. Are you ready for the seven-month journey and the astronaut training program? The space food served on the rocket is hardly award-winning.
Even when you arrive at your destination, the planet itself will not seem welcoming with its epic dust storms and its freezing winter temperatures. But the sunsets will be spectacular and Earth is just a green and blue speck away. Written as an explorer's guide and packed with scientific facts about our inspirational nearest neighbour, this book is guaranteed to inspire any young scientist.
Borrow Go on a mission to Mars →
Space explorers: 25 extraordinary stories of space exploration and adventure by Libby Jackson
Humans have always been fascinated by the universe, but only a few have been daring enough to travel beyond the Earth. From venturing into space for the first time to building the International Space Station in orbit, the history of space exploration is filled with peril, bravery and strokes of genius.
In this illustrated anthology, spaceflight expert Libby Jackson reveals the very best true stories of humankind's thrilling journey to the stars. Grab your space suit and jump aboard - it's time for an astronomical adventure!
Mars by Shauna Edson, Giles Sparrow, Mark Ruffle
The launch of Mars rovers by NASA, Europe, and China in 2020 will be the biggest science news of the year, and will reveal more about Mars than ever before. Get ahead with this amazing new book, which explores the evidence for past life on Mars, what's happening there now, and what it might look like to one day live on the red planet.
Discover incredible space technology, learn how to spot the planet in the night sky throughout the year, and find out if you've got what it takes to join the teams travelling to Mars in the coming years. Children will adore this essential guide to the red planet.
Curiosity: the story of a Mars rover by Markus Motum
This is a fascinating book about the search for life on Mars told from the unique perspective of 'Curiosity', the Mars rover sent to the red planet by NASA. Markus Motum's stylish illustrations and diagrams help tell the story of how and why this robot travelled 350,000,000 miles to explore a planet where no human has been before.
Exploring space: from Galileo to the Mars Rover and beyond by Martin Jenkins and Stephen Biesty
The extraordinary story of space exploration, from Galileo's telescope to the launch of the International Space Station - and beyond! Martin Jenkins' accessible and wide-ranging narrative covers early astronomy, the history of flight, the Space Race, the day-to-day lives of astronauts in the International Space Station and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and considers where future missions might take us.
Stephen Biesty's cross-section illustrations lay bare the intricate workings of space probes and shuttles, the Mars Curiosity Rover, spacesuits and Soyuz rockets.
Welcome to Mars: making a home on the Red Planet by Buzz Aldrin and Marianne Dyson
Space is still the final frontier and Mars continues to make news and attract generations of young people. In this book, hero-astronaut Buzz Aldrin challenges curious kids to think about Mars as not just a faraway red planet but as a possible future home for Earthlings!
What will your new home be like? How will you get there? What will you eat for breakfast? Find out what life might be like far, far from Earth as you navigate your way through this fun and fascinating book. What kid wouldn't want to blast off with him on this (literary) journey!
Mars or bust!: Orion and the mission to deep space by Ailynn Collins
NASA's Orion spacecraft is pushing the limits of space travel and exploration like never before. The ultimate goal is a mission to Mars! Learn about the challenges that scientists, engineers and astronauts must overcome to make this dream a reality.
Beyond the sky: you and the universe by Dara O Briain, Kate Davies, Dan Bramall
So you want to go into space? WHY?! (No, really - it's sort of a terrible idea. We humans are perfectly designed for life on Earth. We can walk around, breathe, drink water, eat vegetables, read books, not get poisoned or crushed to death when we go outside - it's lovely right where we are).
Not convinced? GOOD! People have been dreaming about space travel for centuries - there's something amazing about the idea of leaving our planet behind and setting out to explore the Universe - there's so much we still don't know. UK and Ireland's best-loved comedian Dara O Briain takes you on a journey from the safety of your comfiest chair to the furthest reaches of space (and beyond!).
Dr Maggie's grand tour of the solar system by Maggie Aderin, Chelen Écija
Join Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (a space scientist and science communicator) as she embarks on a fascinating tour of the Solar System.
Borrow Dr Maggie's grand tour of the solar system →
Professor Astro Cat's solar system by Dominic Walliman, Ben Newman
Welcome planet explorers! Did you know that Venus is covered in volcanoes? Have you ever wondered why Mars is red? Well, you're in luck! Professor Astro Cat and the gang are about to set off on a journey around our solar system--so buckle up, join the tour, and get your learn on!
Borrow Professor Astro Cat's solar system →
Superspace
Bursting with fascinating facts and the latest breathtaking images, this space book for children brings the wonders of the Solar System to life. Find out about the never-ending storms on Jupiter. Learn about the towering volcanoes of Venus - all 1600 of them, and see the Valles Marineris on Mars - a canyon that is ten times longer than Earth's Grand Canyon.
The daredevil's guide to outer space by Anna Brett, Mike Jacobsen
Following 'The Daredevil's Guide to Dangerous Places', our intrepid explorers Eddie and Junko explore our solar system with their awesomely futuristic spaceship. Discover what it would be like to live on the moon, Mars or the International Space Station. Encounter volcanoes on Venus, find out how long it would take to reach Pluto, and how mining for ice on Mercury works.
Borrow The daredevil's guide to outer space →
Night sky by Howard Schneider
This fun, photo-filled, fact-packed night sky guide will encourage kids to stop and look up to spot stars and planets right from their own backyards. From Mars to meteor showers, the Big Dipper to satellites, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot space phenomena in the night sky at any time of the year. With tons of info, it's the perfect companion for garden or field trips, camping or holidays.