A fun (but incredibly informative!) guide to space for inquisitive kids. Quirky illustrations break up large blocks of text and make them less intimidating. I learned a few things., myself. Ordering a copy for the library.

Librarian: Yes, I'll recommend this book for purchase. As I've mentioned before, my school does a unit on space, and we always need more books on the subject. This book is a little young for some of my students, however as an international school, we always have some students who are just starting to read in English, and this book should be perfect for them. It's easy enough that they should be able to follow it, but not so simple that they'll feel like they're being condescended.
Reader: Obviously, I'm not the target audience for this book. I'm an adult, most of the readers of this book are children. Still, as an adult who reads a lot of children's books, I can tell you that this is a cute way to introduce kids to outer space.

A great book for children (and their adults) who would like to understand more about planets, solar systems, galaxies, comets, asteroids and black holes, to name just some of the topics covered in this introduction to astronomy. With colorful, amusing, pithy and relevant illustrations, this book teaches a lot in a fun way. A few things that I learned...the sun makes up 99 per cent of the solar system's mass; Venus is intensely hot and Earth is like baby bear's porridge (see the book to find out why). Learn more about astronauts and what the International Space Station is like. An easy to look at book that young readers will be able to use as a solid reference.

This is a very engaging introductory guide to space, including information about the sun, stars, and galaxies, as well as one page info sheets on each of the planets, as well as on space related things like astronauts, robots, satellites, telescopes. The pictures are fun and funky, drawings of the planets personified with smiling faces and sunglasses and the like, rather than actual photographs or realistic depictions of the topics being discussed. That's part of what makes this book seem more accessible to a younger audience, because it's fun and cool rather than cold and clinical. This is a great variety of information, and I (at age 32) definitely learned some new things. Definitely for older children, though I think my 4 year old might sit still and let me read maybe a page or 2 at a time to him (but he'd never sit still through the entire book). I can see someone aged 8-12 being really interested in this book.

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space: An awesomely fun guide to the universe is a solid little book just filled to the brim with facts! I loved the colourful illustrations and the straightforward structure used to keep all the information orderly and easy to access. Each two-page spread features an easy to follow layout, with a fact page and a matching illustration.

The only quibble I had was minor, but would definitely be an annoyance to the kids I know who like this kind of book. When discussing the planets the book follows a specific structure outlining the length of each planet's day (the time to spin on axis) and year (the time to orbit the sun). These start using Earth hours and Earth days, but then the length for years switched to using Earth years (I think - it was never actually clarified).

It would make for much easier comparison if the units of time had been consistent, and would likely lead to amazement for a kid to think about 10,500+ days. This book is aimed at kids who are a bit young to be able to necessarily do that math on their own.

This is going to be a sure-fire hit with any little ones who are new to learning about space, and little fact-gobbling monsters will eat this up. While I preferred the more subdued illustrations, I'm pretty sure the goofier illustrations will appeal to the younger set.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book.

I found this book to be cute, approachable and interesting.
It was written to be interesting to young readers, but still had new information for adults (at least new to me). That being said, choose your reader carefully. My daughter is 6 and while she thought the pictures/descriptions of the first few options were cute she soon grew bored. Perhaps I just need to wait until she gets used to there being more words on a page.

I love this book. So colourful, the anthropomorphic planets are so adorable that this book could be bought for someone slightly younger (or older) than the reading age, allowing them to recognise the visual elements before progressing.
Older readers have a wealth of information, well presented and with key world emboldened at intervals.
It’s a must for any household.

This book would be perfect for upper elementary/middle grade students. Easy to follow layout with clear and interesting information our solar system and outer space . The illustrations were bright and so much fun. I look forward to adding this to my school library collection for students interested in space for independent reading or as curriculum support for science!

"The Know-Nonsense Guide To Space" makes learning fun! It teaches you all about the different planets in our solar system as well as the Milky Way and our neighbouring galaxies. It introduces you to terms such as nebula, supernova, and asteroid belts, you even learn about those mysterious black holes!

This book makes what can be a tedious topic interesting for children. It is accessible and fun and will keep your child's attention focused on the topic at hand. The illustrations are attractive, fit well with the information provided and are both quirky and funny in equal measure. There is plenty here for young ones to engage with.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster, Jr. for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

A great book for our family summer reading time! We love to learn and this book was fantastic for my twin 3rd graders!