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Screenwise Verdict
This is exactly what a science book should be. It’s funny, it’s gorgeous to look at, and it doesn't treat kids like they're too small to understand big concepts like 4.54 billion years.
Stacy McAnulty has hit a sweet spot here where the 'Planet Awesome' persona feels genuinely charming rather than cringey. If you have a kid who is even remotely interested in space, dinosaurs, or why we aren't currently covered in ice, this is a mandatory add to the bookshelf.
Age Fit
Best for the 4-8 crowd. It’s perfect for preschoolers who are starting to ask big questions and early elementary kids who want to flex their science muscles.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92
It’s a friendly, ego-filled autobiography of a planet. The tone is upbeat and focuses on the shared history of everyone on Earth without being preachy.
Imaginative
88
Personifying the Earth as 'Planet Awesome' is a clever hook. David Litchfield’s illustrations give the planet a face and personality that makes billions of years feel relatable.
Safe
98
It's a picture book about geology and history. Unless your kid is specifically terrified of the concept of time or the extinction of dinosaurs, there’s zero risk here.
Enriching
90
Sneaks a massive amount of Earth science into a 40-page story. It covers the Big Bang, tectonic plates, and the ice age in a way that actually sticks.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
The humor makes dense scientific facts digestible for kids who usually find non-fiction a snooze.
David Litchfield’s art is vibrant and detailed, making 'space' feel less empty and more like a neighborhood.
It provides a great foundation for basic geology and evolutionary history without feeling like a classroom lecture.
Includes extra 'back matter' for those kids who need to know exactly how many millions of years the dinosaurs lasted.
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What to Watch For
Briefly touches on the extinction of dinosaurs and climate change, which might spark some 'are we okay?' questions from sensitive kids.
The humor is fast-paced; younger kids might need you to slow down to explain some of the puns.
Conversation Starters
"If Earth could actually talk to us today, what do you think she’d ask us to do?"
"Which of Earth’s 'siblings' (the other planets) do you think is the most different from her?"
"How did Earth change from when she was a 'baby' to right now?"
