Rockets and Spaceships (DK Readers Beginning to Read, Level 1)

We've had this book for many months. When we first tried to read it to our toddler/preschooler, he didn't get halfway through. Since then he's learned more about space from other sources, and lately he's been requesting this book a lot and seems to like it pretty well. It introduces the basics of space travel like rockets, astronauts, satellites, travel to the Moon, and the like. If it's your child's very first exposure to space concepts, this might not be the best book for the purpose. Otherwise, it's good. As to reading level, we have many beginning reader books that are divided into levels 1, 2, 3, etc. I wouldn't call this level 1 on anybody's scale--level 2 maybe. It is more advanced in its use of language than series like the "Little Bear" or "Biscuit." It's also much more conceptually advanced than those books. If I had any complaints it would just be that the production is a little too slap-dash. Don't get me wrong, I'd buy it again and we'll keep reading it, but there are a lot of little things that could be better.

Teaches basic vocabulary and ideas related to space and various spacecrafts (probe, satellite, etc.). Colorful and varied book design. Has select vocabulary words in boxes with an appropriate photograph. Text is straightforward. For example, "The plane part of the space shuttle can be used again and again. It takes off like a rocket, then it glides back to Earth and lands like an airplane." Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review

This book was given to my 4 year old for his birthday. The book is fairly easy to read, and provides photos and descriptions of new vocabulary words. It's a challenge for those who are beginning to read solely for the purpose of reading, but it's a delight for those who devour everything about rockets and space!