Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond

Jenkins (Fabulous Frogs) and Biesty—who illustrated the first two books in the Cross-Section series, Into the Unknown and The Story of Buildings—offer a detailed and meticulously illustrated history of space exploration. After a quick overview of the solar system, Jenkins discusses astronomical history and the advances that led to feats including the Voyager and Apollo missions, as well as the development of the International Space Station. Biesty’s delicately drafted cross-sections and cutaways let readers peer inside space vessels, the Kennedy Space Center, and other vehicles and dwellings, including a theoretical Mars colony of partially buried interconnecting pods (Jenkins emphasizes that the idea of such colonies “is still only a pretty distant possibility”). The careful and thorough presentation, both in the text and images, offers valuable information for readers fascinated by humanity’s efforts to study and explore the stars. Ages 8–12. (June)