My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids Paperback – June 16, 2020

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!

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 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!

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!!

I bought this for my son because he loves space and all the planets, he has all the names of the planets memorized! I actually bought this years ago and he loves it so much we still read this one from time to time! Super cute book! Not jam packed with too many facts that bore you!

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.

I am so impressed with this book!I purchased this book for our preschool class room. When I first took it out if the box, I thought…oh no this will not work, but when I opened it and started looking through it I fell in love with it.Are some of the facts too much for preschoolers…yes but there is so much that they can understood. So we will skip over the facts they are not ready for!!The pictures inside are amazing! The students will love looking at this book!!This book is hardcover so it will hold up to repeated use. The book has sewn an glued binding and a very attention grabbing cover.I caught this book on sale at the most amazing price! I honestly could not be happier with this purchase!