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

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!

This is a wonderful book. I love it. And My son loves it very much. The photos are very beautiful. The book is a perfect size. And he loves to read it and reread it. And he really has learned the planets, their order and the author has interesting background. I’m glad this will get this. He is 10 and so doesn’t want to give it up.

I love this book. It’s informative, has good pictures, is a step beyond a board book, and is t too long when you’re reading to a kid. The planets are pictured in a realistic way. My 3.5 loved reading it with me though it is appropriate for much older kids as well.

My 3 year old became interested in space and so I started teaching him about the planets. This book has a lot of pictures and great information about he planets as well as the dwarf planets. This has been one of his favorite books to read.

My 3 year old grandson LOVES this book. I read it to him over and over and he does not tire of it.The pictures are great and the information is concise and simple to understand. If you have a child or grandchild, this book will inspire their imaginations about the sun, planets, and asteroids.If I had to choose just one book about the solar system for my child, this is the book!

I bought this for my five-year-old grandson who is enthralled with planets. The book is well made, and they have great pictures and descriptions of the planets..It is not a board book though. It has paper pages.

This book has beautiful pictures of the planets and is very easy to read. This book is a wonderful gift for kids ages 6-12 years.

We love this series of books!! They are facts with no evolution or millions of years in the information which makes them a rare find and perfect for our church school and library and family gifts.The young children love them and the parents love that they can read a page or a few and learn some things and come back to it to read and learn more later.Excellent books!!