My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids

Description

Blast off on an exploration of outer space with this colorful solar system book for kids 3-5 Get little astronomers excited about the cosmos―from the bright and burning sun, to our own blue Earth, stormy Neptune, and every planet in between. With this incredible exploration of planets for preschool and kindergarten kids, curious learners will discover the ultimate solar system book, featuring amazing pictures and fascinating facts about what makes each planet so special, including its size, distance from the sun, what the surface is like, how many moons it has, and more! Go beyond other planet books for kids with: BIG, BEAUTIFUL IMAGES: Vibrant photos and illustrations will take kids deep into space―no telescope required. ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS: Learn all about the eight planets in our solar system, plus dwarf planets Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. FUN SPACE FACTS: Did you know the bubbles in soda are the same gas that's on Venus? Out of this world facts will make this toddler space book a hit! Show kids the amazing universe that surrounds them with My First Book of Planets . Review: Fun and easy start for little ones - This book is a great introduction to the solar system for young readers. The information is simple, clear, and easy to understand, making it perfect for kids who are just starting to learn about planets. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, which helps keep attention throughout. It’s a short read but packed with good basic facts. Overall, a fun and educational book for early learners interested in space. Review: wonderful book by a knowledgeable author! - This is a fabulous 68-page book for children 3-5 years old by Bruce Betts, Ph.D., a planetary scientist who is also a children's book author. Dr. Betts is the chief scientist and LightSoil program manager for The Planetary Society, a renown, international society for space-exploration enthusiasts. Having purchased and read this work, I will definitely look for other titles on the planetary sciences by Betts. Though intended for kids 3-5 years old, in my opinion this book would also be suitable for children up to 7 years old. The book is available in Kindle, hardcover ($11.66), paperback ($6.74), and spiral-bound ($9.48) editions, but I strongly recommend purchasing the hardbound book which is the most durable for repeated readings, and this is a book that is bound to be read again and again. The book presents basic planetary concepts with simple explanations in age-appropriate text accompanied by black-and-white and color images. I concur with other reviewers who mentioned that the quality of the images is somewhat wanting, but I do not feel this shortcoming is serious enough to deter purchases. Betts has sections on the terrestrial or "rocky" planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), the giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), and the dwarf planets (Pluto [which was downgraded from a planet, as explained by Betts], Eris, Haumea, and Makemake). Each planet's text includes a sidebar that answers questions on the size of the planet, how far it is from the sun, and how many moons it has. In addition, terminology such as spacecraft, the atmosphere, the sun, the solar system, the term "orbit," and asteroids and the asteroid belt are addressed. Fun facts that will delight children and hold their attention include 1) the rocky planets are closest to the sun, 2) Jupiter has at least 79 moons, 3) "If you think of the Moon as a tennis ball, then the Earth would be a little bigger than a basketball," and 4) Saturn's rings are made of dirty snowballs, some of which are as small as a snowflake and some bigger than a school bus. Betts thorough text is more than worth the price of the book, but he also includes a glossary for quick references. At the end of the book are 5 pages where children are encouraged to draw a planet. This outstanding primer both educates children and prompts their imaginations. Very highly recommended!