Astro Bunnies by Christine Loomis Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: Astro Bunnies take rockets into space, explore, and return home.

Song

	Martian Rock by Carol Diggory Shields Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: A group of Martians looking for life on the different planets in the solar system make a surprising discovery just as they are about to give up.

Song

	Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeney Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: A child describes how the earth, sun, and planets are part of our solar system, which is just one small part of the universe.

Song

Looking Down by Steve Jenkins Age Level: Preschool and up

Synopsis: If you were an astronaut traveling far out in space and you looked at the earth, what would you see? A small ball in the huge black universe. That"s where these pictures begin. Then they move closer and closer to the earth, each view revealing new details. Until finally . . . See for yourself. In this wordless picture book with stunning cut-paper illustrations, Steve Jenkins masterfully depicts the many levels of the universe, from the farthest reaches of space to the most familiar corner of your backyard.

Films

	Owl Moon by Jane Yolen Age Level: PreK-2
Synopsis: On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl.

	Moon Man by Tomi Ungerer Age Level: K-2
Synopsis: The man in the moon outwits the police in several escapades on Earth with the help of his waxing and waning powers and the friendship of a 300-year-old scientist.

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More Books to Read On Your Own

Regards to the Man in the Moon
by Ezra Jack Keats
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: With the help of his imagination, his parents, and a few scraps of junk, Louie and his friends travel through space.

Harold's Trip to the Sky
by Crockett Johnson
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: With his magic purple crayon, Harold draws himself into a rocket voyage to Mars, then safely back to earth just in time for breakfast.

The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: From an early age, we are awestruck by the shining beacons in our sky: we know the brilliant sun, we gaze at the dreamy silver moon, we watch the countless stars twinkling as if saying hello. So far away yet so present here in our daily lives, the sun, moon, and the stars mark the passage of time, bringing light and life, warmth, hope, and wonder. And they have inspired poets and artists through the ages to capture their meaning. This heartfelt and lovely poetry collection includes poems by Frank Asch, Aileen L. Fisher, Russell Hoban, Patricia Hubbell, Christina Rossetti, and more.

My Place In Space
by Robin Hirst
Age Level: Kindergarten and up
Synopsis: Henry tells the bus driver exactly where he lives, positioning himself precisely in the universe.

Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon
by Oliver J. Corwin
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: Best friends Tortoise and Hare compete to see who will be first to reach the moon.

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More Songs for at Home

Favorite songs for this theme which are under copyright:

"When You Wish Upon" a Star from Disney's Pinnochio

"Why Does The Sun Shine? (The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)" by They Might Be Giants.

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Star Light

Star light.
Star bright.
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may.
I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight.

Aiken Drum

There was a man lived in the moon,
lived in the moon, lived in the moon
There was a man lived in the moon,
And his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus:
And he played upon a ladle,
a ladle, a ladle
And he played upon a ladle,
and his name was Aiken Drum.

And his hat was made of good cream cheese,
of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese,
And his hat was made of good cream cheese
And his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus

And his coat was made of good roast beef,
of good roast beef, of good roast beef,
And his coat was made of good roast beef,
And his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus

And his buttons made of penny loaves,
of penny loaves, of penny loaves,
And his buttons made of penny loaves,
And his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus

And his breeches made of haggis bags
of haggis bags, of haggis bags
And his breeches made of haggis bags,
and his name was Aiken Drum.

Chorus

The Earth

The earth is a great big ball.
[Make big circle with arms.]
It isn't flat at all.
[Shake head while holding hands parallel to floor.]
It spins round and round just like a top.
[Twirl finger like a top.]
I'm sure that it will never stop.
[Turn in slow circle.]

The Solar System
(Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
Oh so bright and oh so far.
In the sky, a tiny dot,
Glowing gas that's very hot!
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
Oh so bright and oh so far.

Beaming, beaming, gleaming moon,
Like a giant white balloon.
Round and round the Earth you spin,
Through the month, new shapes you're in.
Beaming, beaming, gleaming moon,
Like a giant white balloon.

Glowing, glowing, red-hot sun,
Shining light on everyone.
Earth goes round you once a year,
You're a star with atmosphere!
Glowing, glowing, red-hot sun,
Shining light on everyone.

Sun and Moon

Moon comes out.
[Hold hand out to form a crescent.]
Sun goes in.
[Place other hand behind back.]
Here is a blanket to cuddle your chin.
[Place hands under chin.]
Moon goes in.
[Place moon hand behind back.]
And Sun comes out.
[Hold hand out with fingers extended like sun rays.]
Throw off the blankets and bustle about!
[Fling arms out wide and wiggle body.]

Stars

At night I see the twinkling stars
[Clasping and opening hands.]
And a great big smiling moon
[Circle arms overhead.]
My mommy tucks me into bed
[Lay finger in cupped hand.]
And sings a good-night tune.
[Rocking motion with hands.]