Families who loved Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is fascinated by how things work or feels intimidated by the scale of a big goal. It is an ideal choice for the child who asks 'how' and 'why' about the universe, providing a grounded yet awe-inspiring look at the intersection of engineering and exploration. While technically a nonfiction science book, it reads with the heart of a biography, personifying the Curiosity rover to help children connect emotionally with a machine millions of miles away. The story follows Curiosity from her initial design by a team of scientists on Earth through her dramatic landing and subsequent decade of discovery on Mars. It highlights themes of perseverance and the importance of teamwork, showing that even the most complex missions are built on simple human curiosity. For parents, it offers a sophisticated way to discuss scientific inquiry and the value of looking closer at the world around us. The vintage-inspired illustrations and first-person narration make it accessible for elementary students while remaining factually dense enough for middle-schoolers.
