This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first landing on the moon by man, so we’ve picked out some marvellous moon-themed books for kids, from Goodnight Moon to Owl Moon, that your child will enjoy reading.

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The moon is fascinating and a source of wonder for both adults and kids. Does your child ever wonder about the man in the moon, or delight in being the first to spot the moon as the sun is setting? If so, they will love these wonderful books for kids that celebrate the moon in all its glory.

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Books for Kids to Discover the Moon

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Goodnight Moon is a classic of children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room, to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one, the little bunny says goodnight.

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Moon by Patricia Hegarty

Have you ever wondered why the moon shines in the night-time sky? In Moon by Patricia Hegarty, as the moon waxes and wanes above, the world below is full of busy night-time creatures; from turtles laying their eggs on white sandy beaches, to migrating birds using the moon to navigate their way to sunnier climes. Turn the peek-through pages to see the moon change shape as it goes through the lunar cycle.

Sun, Moon And Stars by Stephanie Turnbull

One of the Usborne beginners series of books for kids, Sun, Moon and Stars helps answer questions like ‘What is the Sun made of?’, ‘How did astronauts get to the Moon?’ and ‘What did they find there?’

For children beginning to read on their own, this book is an exciting introduction to space. Includes vivid, full colour illustrations and photographs on every page, and easy-to-read text specially written with the help of a reading expert.

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The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield

Moon-themed books for kids don’t come from a better source than Commander Chris Hadfield himself! The Darkest Dark is the debut picture book by Chris Hadfield, international bestselling author of An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, with spectacular illustrations by illustration team, The Fan Brothers. Inspired by Chris’s decision to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing at age nine, The Darkest Dark tells the story of about facing your fears and following your dreams.

Young Chris is an astronaut. A very busy astronaut. Saving the planet from aliens is much more important than taking baths or going to bed. Because at bedtime the worst sort of alien appears – darkness. But when Chris watches the first televised moon landing, he discovers that there is a dark out in Space that is much darker than he’s used to. It’s the darkest dark ever, and he realizes that the unknown can be…exciting!

One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh

On July 29, 1969, as the world sat glued to their televisions and radios, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly impossible, something humans had dreamed of doing for centuries. They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon. One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind. This achievement not only brought the moon within reach, but now everything seemed possible. If it could be imagined, it could be done.

One Giant Leap brings that historical event to life and will make children feel as if they too had left footprints on that distant, dusty surface.

Man on the Moon by Simon Bartram

In Man on the Moon Bob is everyone’s favourite man on the moon; follow him on his daily adventures. Bob has a special job – looking after the moon. He keeps it clean and entertains passing space tourists, as well as giving guided tours. He knows everything about the moon and that there is definitely no such thing as aliens!

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Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca

Simply told, grandly shown, Moonshot tells the story of the flight of Apollo 11. Here are the steady astronauts clicking themselves into gloves and helmets, strapping themselves into sideways seats.

Here are the great machines in all their detail and monumentality, the roar of rockets, and the silence of the Moon. Here is a story of adventure and discovery; a story of leaving and returning during the summer of 1969, and a story of home, seen whole, from far away.

If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty

If You Decide to Go to the Moon is a beautiful book with an unforgettable message about the moon and an even more important message about the earth.

“If you decide to go to the moon,” writes Faith McNulty, “read this book first. It will tell you how to get there and what to do after you land. The most important part tells you how to get home.”

Written in the second person, the text allows the reader to participate in every aspect of the journey, from packing (“don’t forget your diary and plenty of food”) to liftoff (at first you’ll feel heavy; don’t worry”) to travelling through space (where “the moon glows like a pearl in the black, black sky”).

The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons

The Moon Book is a kid-friendly introduction to the biggest, brightest light in our night sky. Shining light on all kinds of fascinating facts about our moon, this simple, introductory book includes information on how the moon affects the oceans’ tides, why the same side of the moon always faces earth, why we have eclipses, and more.

Using her signature combination of colourful, clear illustrations and accessible text, Gail Gibbons reinforces important vocabulary with simple explanations, perfect for budding astronomers. Legends about the moon, trivia, and facts about the moon landing are also included.

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A Child’s Introduction to The Night Sky by Michael Driscoll

A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky is the perfect introduction to the always fascinating world of astronomy. Children ages eight and up will find out what astronomers have learned (and are still discovering), what astronauts and scientists explore, and what they can find by gazing up into the sky at night.

Author Michael Driscoll explains how stars are born, the achievements of the great scientists, the history of space exploration, the story of our solar system, the myths behind the constellations, how to navigate the night sky, and more.

Whimsical illustrations throughout and handy definitions and sidebars help engage younger readers and develop their interest. Also included are a nifty star finder tool and fun glow-in-the-dark stickers.

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Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Kitten’s First Full Moon is an acclaimed modern classic. This memorable character and her suspenseful adventure are just right for the very youngest child. It is Kitten’s first full moon, and when she sees it she thinks it is a bowl of milk in the sky. And she wants it. Does she get it? Well, no…and yes. What a night!

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On the Moon by Anna Milbourne

On the Moon introduces young children to the vastness of the universe, how far away the moon is, what gravity is and the concept of space travel through a gentle and captivating story about an imaginative little girl.

Combining full colour illustrations with NASA photographs from the surface of the moon, this beautifully illustrated picture book takes young children on an amazing journey into outer space. The story’s use of rhythmic text generates an evocative and friendly tale, taking children on a magical and informative journey.

I See the Moon by Jacqueline Mitton

What is the Moon like tonight? Turn the pages to see its many enchanting phases – from a horned crescent to the plump-faced Man in the Moon, from the icy crystal ring round the Moon to a dark orange eclipse – watched by Owl, Beaver, Koala, Spider Monkey and other creatures around the globe. The final scene has a surprise in store!

Brief science notes in I See The Moon make this a perfect introduction to the night sky for very young readers.

I Took The Moon For a Walk by Carolyn Curtis

Follow the magical adventure of a young boy who goes exploring with his friend, the Moon. I Took the Moon for a Walk combines lyrical verse with detailed illustrations, creating a dramatic backdrop for this imaginative journey. Readers can discover all kinds of facts about the passage of the moon across the sky and its influence on our lives.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Owl Moon from renowned children’s book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr is a beloved children’s classic. This is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading aloud and sharing at bedtime.

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.

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Are any of these books for kids about the moon a favourite in your house? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!