Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
Screenwise Verdict
This is what a kids' reference book should be: beautiful, factual, and genuinely informative without dumbing things down. DK Publishing nailed the sweet spot between accessible and substantive.
The production quality is legitimately impressive—gold foil, holographic details, gorgeous photography. It's the kind of book that sits on a shelf and gets pulled down again and again. The 4.8 Amazon rating backs this up: parents aren't just buying it for the pretty cover, kids are actually engaging with it.
The caveat? This works best for kids who already have some spark of interest in space. It's not going to magically convert a dinosaur kid or a princess kid into an astronomy nerd. But for the right child, this is exactly the kind of book that deepens curiosity and builds real knowledge. It's enriching without being preachy, imaginative without being fictional, and wholesome in the best sense—it makes learning feel like an adventure.
Age Fit
Solidly designed for 6-8 year olds who are already curious about space. Younger kids (4-5) can enjoy it with a parent reading aloud, but the concepts and vocabulary are aimed at early elementary. By 9-10, most kids will have outgrown it unless they're deep into astronomy.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92
A beautifully produced space encyclopedia with age-appropriate tone and presentation. The storybook-style descriptions paired with photography create an emotionally healthy learning experience. The emphasis on wonder and discovery without sensationalism or fear-mongering makes this accessible for young readers. Premium production values (gold foil, holographic details) signal care and quality.
Imaginative
88
Covers 100 celestial objects from planets to black holes, inviting kids to explore the vastness of space. The blend of photographic and illustrated content sparks curiosity about astronomy. However, as an encyclopedia format, it's more about presenting information than inviting creative expression or open-ended exploration. Still, space content inherently fires up imagination about what's out there.
Safe
98
Books are inherently safe, and this one has zero concerning content. It's factual space science for 6-8 year olds with no mature themes, violence, or inappropriate material. The only 'risk' is that space facts might evolve, but that's educational, not harmful.
Enriching
94
This is pure educational enrichment—teaching real astronomy, introducing scientific concepts, and building knowledge about our universe. The combination of facts, myths, and recent discoveries provides cognitive growth. High Amazon rating (4.8/5) suggests strong parent satisfaction. It's a reference book that rewards repeated reading and builds genuine expertise in a STEM field.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Stunning production with gold foil, holographic details, and metallic edges—this is a coffee table book for kids
Blends storybook-style text with real photography and illustrations, making dense space concepts digestible for 6-8 year olds
Covers 100 objects from asteroids to galaxies, building genuine astronomy knowledge and STEM vocabulary
Part of DK's acclaimed Anthology series, known for high-quality children's reference books
4.8/5 Amazon rating suggests parents and kids are actually loving it
⚠
What to Watch For
This is a reference book, not a narrative—some kids will devour it, others will flip through once and move on
Best for kids who already show interest in space; it won't necessarily create that interest from scratch
The 6-8 age range is tight—younger kids need it read to them, older kids might find it too basic
At encyclopedia length, it's more of a 'dip in and out' book than a cover-to-cover read
Conversation Starters
"Which planet or space object surprised you the most? What did you learn about it?"
"If you could travel to any place in this book, where would you go and why?"
"What's the difference between a planet and an asteroid? How about a star and a galaxy?"
"Some of these objects are millions of light-years away. What does that even mean?"
"What do you think scientists will discover about space next?"
