outer space

Two debossed sides feature a planet’s symbol, name, and number of moons.  The four printed sides reveal a planet illustration, diameter, location, and distance from the sun.  This 9 block set honors all 8 planets in our solar system; plus a bonus dwarf planet, Pluto.

First quarter. Waxing crescent. New moon. Waning crescent. Last quarter. Waning gibbous. Full moon. Waxing gibbous.

This 9 block set shows each of the 8 moon phases. Two debossed sides feature a moon phase and its cycle location. Four printed sides reveal moon rise & set times, tidal effects, a phase illustration, and the moon's location in relation to the sun. This set also includes one bonus block devoted to the lunar eclipse.

Visualize moon cycles in a multidimensional manner. Will you stack and sort these blocks in their monthly order? Or use them to chart the tides? How else might Uncle Goose moon phase blocks inspire you to look at the sky and dream?

• 9 - 1.75 inch cubes
• Made using sustainable Midwestern basswood
• Printed with non-toxic, mouth safe inks
• 100% made in the USA
• Ages 2+

Ocamora figures are made in Spain with ash or beech wood harvested from Spain and France.  The wood is labeled with FSC certificates and are treated with ecological and environmentally friendly products.  The oils that are used to finish the Ocamora toys are a mixture of flax oil, tung and some vegetable oils.  The stains that are used to colour the wood are made from water dyes.  Both the oils and stains comply with the safety regulations for toys UNE EN 71/3 (the European Toy Safety Standard).

Rocket is 28 cm high and 8 cm wide. Comes with 1 astronaut.  Stars sold separately.

Made in Spain by Ocamora.

We have spotted a UFO crossing space! Has anyone else seen it? Piloted by an Alien that travels from planet to planet, faster than light!

Who has not ever looked at the sky with innocent eyes looking for some object that moved?  A shooting star, a lightning bolt ... a UFO!  The universe has always aroused a lot of curiosity in us, and that curiosity is immensely precious in the early ages.

Choose your favorite color and get ready to live a thousand adventures.

UFO and Alien made of beech wood.  Diameter 8 cm.

Made in Spain by Ocamora.

Ocamora tablets are made in Spain with wood harvested from Spain and France. The wood is labeled with FSC certificates and the tablets are treated with ecological and environmentally friendly products.  The oils that are used to finish the Ocamora toys are a mixture of flax oil, tung and some vegetable oils. The stains that are used to colour the wood are made from water dyes.  Both the oils and stains comply with the safety regulations for toys UNE EN 71/3.

3 aliens made of solid beech wood.

Made in Spain.

Bring the night sky into your home by shining a flashlight through these coins towards your walls or ceiling.  These create a beautiful atmosphere that is both educational and fun.  Each coin has engraved titles and lines connecting the stars.

For best result, use a single-bulb flashlight such as on most mobile phones.  Hold coin a couple feet in front of the light source and adjust from there for desired size and clarity.

This "Basic Set" includes six coins: Andromeda, Orion, The Little Dipper, The Big Dipper, Canis Major, and Cassiopeia.

This "Zodiac Set" includes twelve coins: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. 

The coins are 2 3/4-inches in diameter and 1/4" thick.

Made from maple hardwood and polished with all natural oil. 

Made in the United States by Treasures from Jennifer.

See 16 constellations. Two debossed sides present the constellation with and without lines. Four printed sides feature a constellation symbol, name, hemisphere, and scale of magnitude.

It's winter, and as the last leaves fall from the trees, and the nights are at their longest, the sky seems darker and wider than ever. On cold, crisp and cloudless nights, there's nothing better than a bit of moon-gazing. Since the beginning of time, humans have looked to the moon with wonder, and with a lingering question: what is it exactly that stares back at us?

In this issue, you will discover three stories that tell us something about the nature of the moon: its origin, its phases and whether it could be a place that humans could call home. And by the time you have read this magazine, we hope that you will be able to make a moon viewer, name the moon's phases, create a lunar calendar, draw the moon, craft a moon lantern... and much more!

Activities are laid out in order, and span a suggested timeline of 3 days, making this a fabulous resource for homeschooling.

Staplebound.  Beautifully printed on sturdy, high quality, uncoated paper.

~39 pages.

Printed in the UK.

by Adam Ford

Who isn’t fascinated by the sheer size of the universe? Stars offers a straightforward guide to what we know and how we know it—from the Big Bang to star nurseries to the beginnings of life on planet Earth.

Find out why you can’t draw a diagram of the solar system to scale, discover how gravity holds our planet together, and learn why we’re all made of stardust.

Included inside:

• season-by-season guide to stargazing
• double-sided star chart covering the northern and southern hemispheres
• pull-out activities, including "Test Your Eyesight" cards and a “What Do You Weigh on Other Planets?” spinning wheel, plus four sheets of stickers

Hardcover, 48 pages.  7.25 x 7.25 inches.

Roost Books.

Illustrated beginner's guide to stargazing with step by step instructions and diagrams, glow in the dark cover

by Sarah Barker; illustrated by Maria Nilsson

This hip and handy guide helps you learn the science behind blue skies, sun dogs, and the solar eclipse, and shows you how to observe nocturnal wonders such as lunar halos, Martian ice caps, and far-off galaxies.  Fifty celestial phenomena come to life with expert tips from astrophysicist Sarah Barker and stylish illustrations by Maria Nilsson.  Any explorer can become an adept observer with their guidance, and more ambitious stargazers will be able to discover more distant sights with the help of binoculars, a telescope, or a local astronomy group.  With a glow-in-the-dark cover, 50 Things to See in the Sky is a perfect complement to your next camping expedition and a wonderful gift for anyone who marvels at what lies in our celestial sphere.

Sarah Barker is an accomplished astrophysicist and award-winning documentary film producer.  She has collaborated with NASA, National Geographic, the Science Channel, Animal Planet, and the BBC. Originally from England, she currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Maria Nilsson is a freelance illustrator based in London.  Her work can also be found in 50 Things to Do with a Penknife and 40 Knots and How to Tie Them.

5.65 x 7.55 · 144 pages

Princeton Architectural Press

Reviews

Astrophysicist and author Sarah Barker teamed up with illustrator Maria Nilsson to create this great book for beginner stargazers. It offers up informative details and viewing tips for things you can glimpse when you look up with off-the-shelf binoculars or a telescope. The glow-in-the-dark book cover is a nice touch." - The Awesomer"

[Astrophysicist and television producer Sarah Barker] shares her enthusiasm in 50 Things to See in the Sky, a richly illustrated, layperson-friendly guide to everything from constellations to quasars and how to find them. Step-by-step instructions and helpful diagrams ensure that beginners won't get overwhelmed. . . .Maria Nilsson's whimsical and accurate drawings enhance the book's tasteful blue-and-white color scheme, while a glossary and a closing section on resources such as star mapapps guarantee that readers will soon be looking to the skies for themselves." - Foreword Reviews

"This global introduction to the night sky includes wonders that can be viewed only from the Southern or Northern hemispheres, as well as objects that can be seen from anywhere depending on the time of the year. The blue-and-white illustrations provide a clear picture of what the viewer is looking for; the many references to free apps and websites can further inspire astronomical exploration." - School Library Journal

"In this stargazer's guide (with a glow-in-the-dark cover), astrophysicist Barker gives tips for finding celestial phenomena with or without a telescope. She shares practical tips and tricks to navigate the boundless sky, such as how to identify the constellation Orion, spot the red supergiant star Betelgeuse and even locate the Apollo 11 moon landing site. The amusing illustrations and maps come in handy to identify the right time and place for observing. Although only 50 sights are highlighted, there is much more to explore out there. As Barker writes, 'the sky isn't the limit-the sky has no limit.'" - Scientific American

About the Author

An Out of this World Alphabet, written by Janis Campbell & Cathy Collison and Illustrated by Alan Stacy

Aspiring astronauts, star gazing astrophysicists, and even toddlers pointing at the moon will now have the right stuff for exploring our galaxy. With rhymes for younger children and their accompanying fact-filled expository test for older readers, syndicated "Yak's Corner" columnists Janis Campbell and Cathy Collison shuttle us through an out of this world alphabet as seen through the windshield of a space ship. Each page answers galactic questions like: What planet is 300 times heavier than Earth? Why is space the ultimate place to study? Which planet is closest to the sun and which one is the farthest? Who said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"?

Recommended by the publisher for young readers 6-9 years old (Grades 1-4); recommended by nest for this age group if there is keen interest that is being followed, but otherwise, a nice introduction with smattering of information for 10 or 11 year olds, and even some adults will enjoy exploring.

Hardcover, 40 pages.  11 x 10".

Sleeping Bear Press.

by Joyce Sidman; illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora

We walk on Earth’s surface every day, but how often do we wonder about the incredible planet around us?  From the molten cracks below to the shimmering moon above, Hello, Earth! explores the wonders of the natural world.  This playful journey across our puzzle-piece continents does not hesitate to ask questions—even of the Earth itself! 

Joyce Sidman’s imaginative poems encourage boundless curiosity, and Miren Asiain Lora’s stunning paintings capture the beauty of Earth’s ecosystems, creatures, and powerhouse plants.  The book concludes with extensive scientific material to foster further learning about how the earth works, from water cycles to plate tectonics to the origin of ocean tides.

A gorgeous, expansive celebration of science and art, Hello, Earth! is a book to cherish in whatever landscape you call home. 

Recommended for ages 5 years and up.

Hardcover, 68 pages.  8.3 x 12 inches.

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Reviews

This book has alternating pages of dark blue and white drawing paper.  Why dark blue? For using white, yellow, or metallic pencils to draw the constellations.  These colours show up beautifully against the blue pages.

A main lesson book particularly for the astronomy epochs in 6th, 7th, or 8th Class of Waldorf education.  The dark blue pages are 150 g drawing cardboard and the white pages are 120 g drawing paper.  On the cardboard can be drawn with the colours silver, yellow, white and gold.  Our roller ball pens in gold and silver have special luminosity against the dark blue pages of these notebooks.

32 pages, portrait format, staplebound. 32 x 24 cm (12.6 x 9.45 inches), alternating with 1 page blank dark blue and 1 page blank white. No onion skin between pages.

Available with blue cover.  Landscape format available upon special request.

Made in the European Union.

2 to 4 Players Ages 5 to 12 years.

We are an International Team of Geologists who have landed a space lab on the Moon and are sending out rovers to visit the Moon terrain in search of anything valuable to bring back to the people of Earth.

We promise to abide by the Outer Space Treaty as formulated by the UN. “I, as a member of the UN Geological Team, promise that the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies shall be for the benefit of all countries on Earth”

The three levels of play will challenge adults as well.

Equipment: Moonscape map, 4 Robot Rovers, 4 Rover Markers, 28 Cards (Minerals, Moon Terrain, Solar Power, UFO, Moon Dust, Moon Storm, The Mother Ship, Lab). Regular Die.

Made in Canada.

“The exciting, collaborative effort to get to Mars makes this a very timely theme. A peaceful exploration for humanitarian objectives. Imagine! Peaceful explorers of space!” – Jim Deacove

Moon, companion of Earth, guardian of the bright night.  Hanging in a window, a star-shaped rainbow crystal brings a brightening and mesmerizing calm and dance of light to a room through its refraction of light.  The handcrafted pear wood forms an excellent basis for the crystal.  With sparkling accents of finest cut Swarovski crystals, makes for a lovely decoration for a window.

Made in Germany.

by Charles Kovacs

The first part of this book describes the different kinds of rocks, soil and mountains found on our planet, and explores how they came into being.  This section deals with the depths of the earth, and the long ages of time.

In contrast, the second part examines the heights of our universe, in the movement of the sun, moon and stars.  These bodies give us our sense of day, month and year.

Throughout, Kovacs links the phenomena he's describing with human experience, how they affect people in different parts of the world.

This is a resource for Steiner-Waldorf teachers for Classes 6 and 7 (age 11-13).

Softcover, 160 pages.

Floris Books.

Written by Pavla Hanáčková
Illustrated by Diarmuid Ó Catháin

Recommended for ages 6-8 years.

A flightless bird that wishes to fly into space? Our kiwi bird Karl will show you that you can literally reach the stars, if you are determined and work hard to follow your dreams. Together with him, the readers will learn about rockets, space travel and space itself.

Is space the number one topic you’re interested in? Would you like to learn what breathtaking objects and man-made machines are flying around out there? Would you like to become an astronaut and see everything with your own eyes? Karl the kiwi bird is interested in just that. His biggest dream is to visit space as an astronaut.

Together you’ll learn many interesting things about all kinds of spacecraft. You’ll meet the most famous types and also catch a glimpse of what goes on before you even get to go to space—astronaut training and liftoff included! Join Karl in his spacecraft, get to know the solar system, and even more! Who knows what is hiding beyond our galaxy . . .

20 pages.  24.13 x 1.27 x 24.13 cm.

Albatros Media.

Review

About the Author