This is an excellent, simple, scientific book that will help explain space life to kids and help get them engaged in the subject.
About the Book
US Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Spacecare-Kids-Guide-Surviving-Space/dp/B0BKCHFFV3
Have you ever wondered how astronauts stay healthy in space? What if an astronaut gets sick on the space station? Does snot run in space? This fascinating photo-illustrated look at space and medicine explores how scientists and physicians study astronauts in space, how they help keep them safe, and what we’ve learned about the human body through space exploration. Questions from real kids and answers form from astronauts, along with photos from NASA, combine for an out-of-this-world exploration of health.
My Thoughts
Who doesn’t know a kid that loves space or who has wanted to be an astronaut at some point? The whole space race has changed drastically since I was a kid. It’s not impossible, but the game is definitely different. This book goes into the biggest part of the space equation at the moment – the space station. It talks kids through the various changes that happen in people’s bodies and other various questions they might have about the experience like how do you use the toilet and what do you eat. It covers muscle loss, teeth brushing, and even throwing up.
The book strikes a great balance between educating and entertaining, which is important for this age group. If you can’t keep them engaged, you’re not going to keep them reading. But then that’s any age group, right? I appreciate the somewhat gross subjects they cover, because that’s how kids think. As an adult, I might not have wanted to know about various bodily fluids in space, but even little girls are curious. And let’s be honest, a lot of adults are, too.
This is the kind of book that many adults who haven’t done much exploration into space will probably enjoy reading and exploring with their children. It offers a lot of neat facts and will encourage an interest in science, which is always a plus. We need more kids interested in STEM fields, however, we can get them. I really appreciate the author, the Mayo Clinic Press, and Love Book Tours including me on this tour. I look forward to seeing more books like this to help encourage an interest in STEM fields.
Who’s It For
The book says it’s for 8 to 12-year-olds and that feels about right. My 5-year-old was excited when we pulled it out of the package but it was incredibly too wordy for her. We did however simplify some of it by just reading some of the colorful pull-out boxes and summarizing it, so you could adapt it for younger readers if you have a variety of ages in your household. Being homeschoolers, we enjoy having resources like this so that we can share them with friends and use them later when she’s older.
Content Warnings: Scientific/Medical Discussions of Body and Bodily Fluids
About the Author
Jennifer Swanson is the award-winning author of over 35 children’s books, including Brain Games, Super Gear, Astronaut-Aquanaut, and Save the Crash-test Dummies. A self-professed science geek, she started a science club in her garage when she was 7 years old. When not researching cool STEM stuff or writing about it, you can find her walking along the beach with her husband and her dogs, looking for shells.
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