A Universe of Stories – Mars

You are the First Kid on Mars by Patrick O’Brien

In the spirit of books that once imagined colonies on the moon, Patrick O’Brien has created a unique look at your first trip to Mars. Using the most up-to-date designs and theories of what it will take to establish a base on Mars, you are off on an incredible journey, over 35 million miles to the red planet. Filled with details, and vividly brought to life, this is an adventure that you are never going to forget.

Mars by Elaine Landau

From the First Book series, each volume discusses current knowledge and speculation about its subject, reporting on the planet’s geography, moons, and mysterious features as well as the space probes that have gathered the information.

Planet Mars by Ann Squire

As one of our closest neighbors in the solar system, Mars has long fascinated people who are interested in space exploration. Readers will find out how we have used advanced technology to explore the surface of Mars and why some scientists think they might one day discover life on the fourth planet from the sun.

Rabbits on Mars by Jan Wahl

Tired of their hard life on Earth, where dogs chase them, winters are cold, and carrots scarce, three rabbit friends build a rocket ship and journey to Mars in hopes of finding a better life.

Life on Mars by Jon Agee

In this sneaky, silly picture book an intrepid-but not so clever-space explorer is certain he’s found the only living thing on Mars.

 

Oliver who would not sleep! By Mara Bergman

 

Oliver Donnington Rimington-Sneep avoids falling asleep by flying his rocket ship to Mars.

 

 

Mousetronaut Goes to Mars by Mark E. Kelly

 

 

A mouse stowaway on NASA’s first human mission to Mars becomes a hero when one of the landing craft’s engines fails. Includes facts about Mars.

 

Mars activities: https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/hands-mission-mars-activities/

 

Mars sand art: https://www.thekeeperofthememories.com/mars-invitation-to-create-process-art-experience/

 

Solar Eclipse

I recently presented a space theme family storytime and began with an introduction to the upcoming solar eclipse with Looking Up: The Science of Stargazing. There was an easy to understand explanation of the solar eclipse beginning on page 34.

Another nonfiction book with easy to understand concepts is Experiments with the Sun and the Moon.

The Sun and the Moon by Lisa Desimini

Beautifully illustrated story of giants following the moon and sun in search of their soulmates who finally meet each other during an eclipse.

The children really enjoyed answering the questions about the book I want to be an Astronaut, and explaining why they did, or did not want to be an astronaut!

Sun and Moon by Lindsey Yankey

The book begins with the moon begging the sun to trade places with him, for just one day, as his nights were dark and lonely. He believed that the sun was able to see all the beautiful things in the world had during the day. The sun agreed, but upon two conditions: the moon must trade with her forever, and before she was willing to trade, he had to look at the world closer than he ever had before. The moon was excited to look at the world in a way he never had before. He was expecting to see the same things he saw night after night, darkness but he was surprised when he looked just a little bit closer.

We finished with Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! and the action rhyme of the same name.

https://www.todaysparent.com/lullaby_lyrics/zoom-zoom-zoom-lyrics/

Here’s some great activities from NASA:

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/activities

Here’s a coloring sheet and activity for the solar eclipse dragon.

https://sunearthday.gsfc.nasa.gov/2008eclipse/materials/Coloring_Dragon.pdf

Here’s a fun craft with coffee filters:

http://www.lookwerelearning.com/coffee-filter-solar-eclipse-craft/

Science Poetry

Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars by Douglas Florian

Find some space-related science activities at these sites:

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/space/science.htm

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme_station07/outer_space_jun07.shtml

Science Verse by Jon Sceiszka

Write a group verse about several of your upcoming science activities, for an extension project.