Every year, the sci-fi community recognizes Isaac Asimov with the celebration of National Science Fiction Day, a day to appreciate the history, creators, and media of the genre. As sci-fi is filled with imagination, curiosity, and adventure, it can be an especially exciting genre for young readers. We’ve gathered seven picture books that are perfect for introducing little bookworms to the science fiction genre or, for current fans, can continue to inspire them to dream of far-off planets, revolutionary technologies, and distant futures.
We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang
When Mr. Li hears a loud crash in the night outside the remote farmhouse he shares with Mrs. Li, he ventures out to investigate. What he finds are three blue, wibbly-wobbly creatures who introduce themselves as definitely humans who are having a little, um… car trouble. Mr. Li is slightly doubtful but ultimately good-hearted, so he invites the strangers inside to help them resolve their issues. What begins as an incredibly funny tale of the least subtle aliens imaginable becomes a beautiful lesson in acceptance and universal — very universal — kindness.
The X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird by Jason Rekulak, Illustrated by Kim Smith
This is a delightful picture book reimagining of the beloved and long-running science fiction mystery series, as long as X-Files purists can get past the very non-canon aspect of little Fox and little Dana being childhood friends. If they can, a spooky yet goofy tale of mysterious noises, flashing lights, extraterrestrials, and much more awaits, one that’s packed with enough clever dialogue and Easter eggs for sci-fi fans of all ages to enjoy.
Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins
It all started with a simple scientific expedition: three aliens recovering plant and animal samples from a suburban backyard under the cover of darkness. Yet when an unexpected snafu leaves one of the aliens behind, he must make do amongst the Earthlings until he can be rescued… by pretending to be a common Earth dog. A funny fish-out-of-water tale that also packs in some heart, this is a fun read that will have readers side-eyeing their own pets’ quirks.
Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Meg Hunt
Cinderella’s greatest dream is to someday be a spaceship mechanic, but she spends her days toiling away on her stepmother and stepsisters’ personal robots. After a little help from her fairy Godrobot and an unexpected meeting with the Prince at the royal rocket parade, she may just get her wish. This fantastic reworked fairytale offers a stellar protagonist with her head on straight and her goals in sight; for instance, when the Prince offers marriage, she declines and asks to be his chief mechanic instead. It’s an awesome update to a classic tale that puts the sci-fi and girl power in the driver’s seat.
The Spaceman by Randy Cecil
Written in the style of a captain’s log, a spaceman chronicles his journeys, traveling from one planet to the next and collecting samples. On one planet, however, he stops to admire a massive flower — only to have his spaceship stolen by a feathery thief! The spaceman’s quest to retrieve his ship becomes a comedy of errors on an awfully familiar planet, one that will have children laughing at the antics of the tiny extraterrestrial and his new friend. But hang on, because there just might be a rather heartwarming ending in store for the little yellow fellow from the stars.
The Trouble With Time Travel by Stephen W. Martin, Illustrated by Cornelia Li
When you accidentally throw your frisbee and smash your family’s 18th-century heirloom vase, there are two obvious choices: a) fess up to your crime, or b) build a time machine, travel back to the past, and smash the vase before it ever has a chance to become an antique. Adult and kiddo sci-fi fans alike will adore the madcap adventure of Max and her dog Boomer as they ping-pong through time, causing paradoxes and wreaking havoc in equal measure. How will they resolve the problems they’ve caused? Only time will tell.
The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers
Below the storefront of Perfect Pets — a shop where people can buy genetically engineered pets tailored to their exact wishes — lies a vast underground laboratory where the pets are produced. And in that laboratory is Barnabus, a half-mouse half-elephant who has been imprisoned in a bell jar for his entire life. Barnabus is a “Failed Project,” and spends his days being poked and prodded by Green Suits while dreaming of a different life. Author’s note: I am a massive and longtime admirer of the Fan Brothers’ work, and their hauntingly beautiful words and artwork shine particularly bright in this deeply moving tale of courage, friendship, and the value of diversity.
There you have it: seven excellent reads for the young kiddos in your life who are interested in exploring the science fiction genre a little further. We hope that you enjoy them together as we celebrate National Science Fiction Day, plus any day that we let our sense of wonder conjure up new worlds, galaxies, and dimensions to explore. Happy reading!
To see more of our favorites in children’s literature, check out our article on The Best Children’s Books of 2024.
To see all of our picks for young readers interested in sci-fi and fantasy, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
