The Usborne Beginner’s Series of books is such a wonderful introduction to so many things. We recently purchased Sun, Moon, and Stars by Stephanie Turnbull from our favorite bookstore in St. Louis, the Reading Habit(at), and now my daughter (who previously mentioned wanting to be an astronaut) is obsessed with both the book and her new glow-in-the-dark stars and planets she got for Christmas from my sister. (She called the planets her “worlds.”)

Readers of the Beginner’s Series already know that the books are designed to be simple introductions to fascinating topics that kids love. They do contain lots of information and descriptions—often including diagrams, charts, and actual photographs—but they do so without overwhelming the reader. It’s just a taste, really; an appetizer of space, in this case, before seeking out a larger entrée after one’s appetite for the subject is teased. This book in particular starts out with some statements that most kids can relate to—the stars and moon that they see in the sky. From here, it takes them into the vast enormity that is our solar system, and explains that all that they see are truly only pinpricks of light in the greater scheme of things.

Like the other books in this series, the illustrations (designed by Zoe Wray) and photos in the book are gorgeous—both attention-capturing and informative at once. Photos of an astronaut on the moon, as well as one of a crater on the moon, are my five-year-old’s favorites, while I love illustrations such as “the whirlpool galaxy” and an exploding star.

While reading through the book, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and discuss the various things that we know as well as what we learn from the book. Adults may trip over a few notes of interest, however; most of us grew up thinking that Pluto was a planet and now that it’s not, it’s a hard idea to change—especially if it’s been drilled into your head with a rhyme like it was mine! Planetary rings, the heat of the sun, and plenty of other cool topics await young readers in the book.

I would recommend Sun, Moon, and Stars to any fledgling reader or person of a scientific mind, as well as any reluctant reader who might take interest in reading it if they enjoy staring at the stars. We’ve enjoyed many other books in the series as well—from topics as varied as plants to kittens to insects—and look forward to adding more to our collection.