About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child begins asking big questions about the night sky, expressing a budding interest in astronomy or science fiction. It’s for the child who looks up and wonders what’s out there. "Long View into Space" is a classic photographic exploration of our solar system and beyond by celebrated science writer Seymour Simon. It pairs breathtaking (for its era) full-page photographs with clear, concise text to explain planets, moons, comets, and galaxies. The book masterfully cultivates a sense of awe and curiosity, making the vastness of space feel both majestic and accessible. For kids ages 8-12, it is a perfect visual introduction that sparks wonder and encourages a deeper love for science, without overwhelming them with dense text.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The book is a straightforward, secular presentation of astronomical facts and images.
Ideal Reader
This book is for the 8 to 12-year-old who just visited a planetarium and is now obsessed, or the budding scientist who consumes space facts. It is particularly well-suited for visual learners who are captivated by photography and are beginning to grapple with abstract concepts like vast distances and geological time. It’s for the child who is ready to feel small in the universe in the most wonderful way.
Parent Prep
The most important prep is to contextualize the book's 1987 publication date. Parents should be aware that some information is outdated (e.g., Pluto is listed as a planet, our knowledge of moons has expanded). This can be a valuable opportunity to discuss how science is a process of discovery and that our understanding is always changing. The book can be read cold otherwise. A child starts asking deep, unanswerable questions at bedtime: "How far away are the stars?" "Are there other planets like Earth?" "What's a black hole?" The parent realizes their child's curiosity has outpaced their own knowledge of space.
