I have a kid who is into science. I mean, REALLY into science. Instead of cartoons or other more kid-friendly fare, my guy enjoys documentaries. As we near adolescence I’ve come to  accept this as part of his journey to adulthood, but to be quite frank his taste in things nonfiction is not a new development; this kid has been watching nature and science shows for years. A bit of an armchair naturalist myself, I’m not entirely sure where he inherited the science gene, but it makes me happy and proud. 

So a few years back as sort of an experiment I borrowed the 1980 PBS documentary Cosmos: A Personal Voyage from the library just to see what sort of reception it would get in my house, fully expecting him to lose interest after about twenty minutes. To my great surprise however, it was a resounding success; not only did my kiddo faithfully watch every episode, he cried when the thirteen-hour series was over.  

To me the very word cosmos invokes images of highly scientific things which my average intelligence is fully prepared to not understand. So one can imagine my surprise to find that this is not at all the case. Carl Sagan effortlessly takes highly scientific material and makes it accessible to the average person. Not only does he cover some incredibly complex topics, he illustrates how everyday life and important historical events are tied into the physics, chemistry and science of space.  Sagan’s Cosmos is not just the story of how our planet came into being, it relates human civilization and how humanity has evolved and enriched itself, how common beliefs and inventions came into existence, and how our innate curiosities as a species has helped us shape life on Earth into what it is today. Cosmos explores how humans fit into the grand scheme of things, never forgetting that we are part of the natural world, and to quote Sagan, “made of star stuff.”

Keep in mind that this groundbreaking documentary was produced forty years ago. While lauded at the time for its amazing special effects, the passage of forty years has dated many scientific aspects of the show, though much of the historical content still holds up. Enter Neil DeGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium of the American Museum of Natural History. In 2014, Anne Druyan, co-creator of the original series (and Carl Sagan’s widow) teamed up with Tyson for a reboot of the original series. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey was critically acclaimed earning several television broadcasting awards and itself led to a third sequel. Cosmos: Possible Worlds continues the journey and is currently airing on the National Geographic Channel. 

If you happen to have a budding science geek at home, or are in fact one yourself, I highly recommend a foray into any and all of the Cosmos series mentioned above. For further reading I have put together a list of children’s books that might spark your interest as well. It’s an eclectic mix of titles, including nonfiction, fiction, even a couple of picture books but all embody the spirit of the Cosmos series in some way and are excellent reads. So wherever you may be on your voyage through your own personal cosmos, I hope you will spend some time exploring the titles mentioned here. 

Astrophysics For Young People In A Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson with Gregory Mone

In this young readers’ edition to his New York Times bestsellerAstrophysics for People in a Hurry, Tyson simplifies the order and unknowns of the cosmos for middle grade readers. From the origins of the universe to space exploration and alien life, the secrets of our macrocosm are explained, encouraging young people to adopt a cosmic perspective and never lose their sense of wonder. 

Child of the Universe by Ray Jayawardhana; illustrated by Raul Colon

During their bedtime ritual a father explains to his daughter that she is made from the stuff of stars, elaborating upon humanity’s rich, unique connection to the heavens and the evolutionary processes of the universe. Jayawardhana’s rich, lyrical verse paired with Colon’s luxurious illustrations make this gorgeous picture book a lovely read.

From Then to Now: A Short History Of The World by Christoher Moore, illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski

Instead of presenting a geological history of our planet this book focuses on the history of our peoples. From the earliest hunters and gatherers to the twentieth century, a number of civilizations from around the globe are explored. With an honesty lacking in many histories for children this densely intriguing read portrays a vaster worldview than the typical Eurocentric version of events. 

The George Greenby books by Lucy and Stephen Hawking; illustrated by Garry Parsons

George’s Secret Key to the Universe 

George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt

George and the Big Bang 

George and the Unbreakable Code

George and the Blue Moon

George and the Ship of Time

Follow along on the intergalactic adventures of George Greenby, his neighbor friends and their supercomputer (aptly named Cosmos) as they uncover the mysteries of the universe. Co-written by the acclaimed theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, and his daughter, Lucy, young science buffs are sure to enjoy the cosmic exploits while learning quite a bit of science fact along the way. 

A History Of Just About Everything: 180 Events, People and Inventions That Changed the World by Elizabeth MacLeod and Frieda Wishinsky; illustrated by Qin Leng

From the first appearance of humans six million years ago to the 2011 Japanese earthquake, this annotated timeline offers insight into 180 key happenings of human civilization. While most of the topics included here do not make their way into Sagan’s Cosmos quite a number of them do. Not only are key events highlighted, their lasting ripple effects on the world are explained. For middle grade readers interested in the human story, this is a fascinating read. 

Look Up With Me Neil DeGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars by Jennifer Berne; illustrated by Lorraine Nam

Neil DeGrasse Tyson learned from an early age to feed his natural curiosity about the world and its place in the cosmos. From dog walking to earn enough money for his first telescope to a life of research, study, and teaching, this picture book biography illuminates his journey and ongoing belief to never lose one’s sense of wonder. 

See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng

In 1977 Carl Sagan oversaw the launch of two Golden Records aboard the Voyager spacecraft to represent the sounds of life on Earth to any beings who happen to find it. Just like his hero, eleven-year-old Alex Petroski creates a golden iPod, documenting his life here on Earth, with the intent of launching it into space. What ensues takes Alex, his dog (also named Carl Sagan) and an eclectic cast of characters on an enlightening road trip through the American Southwest.

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

It’s not always easy to see the stars when you’re growing up in Brooklyn. Nonetheless, saw the stars he did, sparking a lifelong interest in what’s really out there in the night sky.   Written for the youngest readers in mind, this picture book biography of Carl Sagan provides fascinating, top-notch information in its backmatter illuminating more about the famed astronomer and Cosmos creator.  

You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey; illustrated by Soyeon Kim 

“Be still. Listen. Like you, the Earth breaths.” Did you know that we shed most of our hair in the autumn, just like trees shed their leaves? Or that the same water we drink was once drunk by the dinosaurs? Beautifully whimsical dioramas illustrate this gentle reminder of how closely related we are to all living things on the planet, oft times in ways one would never expect. 

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Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!