Kids Books about Galileo

Kids books about Galileo are a great way to introduce children to this amazing scientist and astronomer!

February 15th is Galileo’s birthday, so I decided to search out all of the kids’ books and fun resources to aid me in teaching our son about the man that designed the first pendulum clock.

Galileo improved the telescope and thus discovered sunspots, tracked the phases of Venus, and puzzled over the rings of Saturn. He also went on to discover the four massive moons of Jupiter! This is definitely a scientist our son wanted to know more about.

Check out all of these Kids Books about Galileo that we discovered!

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I, Galileo by Bonnie Christensen –  Galileo tells his own story in this outstanding picture book biography.

Galileo’s Treasure Box by Catherine Brighton – Virginia’s famous father, Galileo, sleeps during the day and studies the sky at night. While he is sleeping, Virginia discovers a box on his desk with five objects inside. This child’s-eye-view gives young readers an enchanting introduction to the accomplishments of Galileo and delightfully celebrates the magic of science.

Starry Messenger by Peter Sis – In every age there are courageous people who break with tradition to explore new ideas and challenge accepted truths. Galileo Galilei was just such a man. He offered objective evidence that the earth was not the fixed center of the universe but that it and all the other planets revolved around the sun.  

Children’s Books about Galileo

Who Was Galileo? by Patricia Brennan Damuth – Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name. Galileo contributed to the era’s great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit! He turned long-held notions about the universe topsy-turvy with his support of a sun-centric solar system.

Galileo for Kids by Richard Panchyk – Children will learn how Galileo’s revolutionary discoveries and sometimes controversial theories changed his world and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and physics. This book will inspire kids to be stargazers and future astronauts or scientists as they discover Galileo’s life and work. 

Along Came Galileo by Jeanne Bendick – Often referred to as the “Archimedes of his time” Galileo was forever asking questions such as:

• Is it possible to measure heat?
• Is it possible to weigh air?
• Does the earth stand still or does it move?
• How fast do objects fall to the earth?

His questions led to some of the most important answers of the scientific world. Galileo also advanced the astronomical telescope and invented the compound microscope. He measured the rotation of the sun, invented the thermometer, the geometrical compass and the pendulum clock.

Kids Books about Galileo

Galileo’s Telescope by Gerry Bailey – Local merchant Mr. Rummage tells the story of renowned astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei after Digby and his sister discover Galileo’s telescope among the collection of flea market items.

Kids Books about Astronomy

A Child’s Introduction to The Night Sky by Michael Driscoll – Children will enjoy this conversational but information-packed introduction to astronomy. Whimsical color illustrations on every page and handy definitions help engage younger readers. The special star wheel helps locate stars and planets from any location at any time of year. 

The Everything Kids Astronomy Book by Kathi Wagner & Sheryl Racine – With this book children will learn:

• How galaxies like the Milky Way were built.
• Why the sun’s surface is 20,000-50,000-degrees Fahrenheit.
• Why the earth spins and how gravity works.
• What comets and asteroids are made of and how they affect planets.
• The truth about the man in the moon.
• Why Mars is so hot and what those rings around Saturn are.
• What scientists think about aliens and life in outer space

If you want to build a sky-watching kit or change your room into a small universe, this book will take you on a journey that is out-of-this-world!

Stargazers by Gail Gibbons – A series of star-spattered night skies done in rich blues and purples gives this introduction to the universe and the practice of astronomy an appealing look. Gibbons discusses:

• the nature of stars and constellations
• how to find particular ones and
• why stars seem to move
• two kinds of optical telescopes
• plus much more

More Space Fun

Exploring the Solar System (Coloring Book) by Dover Publications – Forty-four stunning illustrations depict the geocentric and heliocentric solar system models. These include:

• Galileo’s drawings of the moon
• the NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) spacecraft orbiting the asteroid Eros
• an astronaut on the lunar surface with an “earthrise” overhead
• the Magellan spacecraft penetrating the clouds of Venus to radar-map the continents
• the enigmatic “face” on Mars
• a U. S. space shuttle and its sleek successor
• the Venture Star and much more

The 88 Astronomical Constellations by CARODIA

Professor Noggin’s Outer Space Card Game 

How to Make a Lego Telescope!

Watch as our son makes a Lego telescope for his Lego mini figure!

You may aslo enjoy these other astronomy resources!

If you’re looking for more scientist, then check out our posts on:

• Temple Grandin
• Patricia Bath
• Marie Curie