By Carroll Hopp
Library Media Specialist
Hazel Dell Elementary School

The universe around us has been the subject of many debates. Starting with the earliest astronomers, we have discovered wonderful things about our place in space. These books give information about the universe and some fascinating discoveries.

Boy, Were We Wrong about the Solar System by Kathleen Kudlinski
The book Boy, Were We Wrong about the Solar System chronicles the discoveries that scientists made about the universe throughout the years, such as, the earth is not flat and it is not the center of the universe. Astronomers and scientists argued for many years about discoveries and the status of many planets and moons. The book explains the equipment and technology that helped us learn about the universe and how we will continue our discoveries. The illustrations show how years of study have changed our ideas.

Boy, Were We Wrong about the Solar System is written by Kathleen Kudlinski and illustrated by John Rocco. It is published by Dutton Children’s Books and retails for $15.99.

Oliver, the Spaceship, and Me by Lynn Rowe Reed
Oliver and Carter share a love of space and hope to be astronauts someday. When Oliver chooses someone else to take to the planetarium, Carter is mad enough to just start building his own spaceship! He gets help from expert workers like welders and plumbers, and promises all of them that they will be on the first flight. A combination of acrylic paintings and photographs of items help show the work involved in building a spaceship. During the building process, Oliver can be seen spying on Carter to see what he is up to. Time for blast-off—who will Carter take on his first space trip?

Oliver, the Spaceship, and Me is written and illustrated by Lynn Rowe Reed. It is published by Holiday House and retails for $16.95.

One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh
The phrase “one giant leap” has been said many times since July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon. This book tells the story of those few hours of landing and exploring, and then leaving the moon to return to earth. The double page illustrations show the astronauts as they prepare to descend, gather moon rocks, and the enjoyment they experienced as they jumped, hopped, and ran through the moon dust. Then comes the uncertainty of leaving the moon’s surface to rejoin the Columbia spaceship. We know this voyage was successful and this picture book for all ages is an exciting account of that adventure.

One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh with paintings by Mike Wimmer, is published by Philomel books and retails for $16.99.