Ultimate Space Atlas (National Geographic Kids)

Readers can tour the universe in this follow-up to a trio of terrestrial atlases focused on the planet, road trips, and adventure. A slick, magazinelike format features a mix of sky maps, star charts, dramatic space photography, and renderings of planets and other celestial bodies. Information about planets, the Milky Way, exoplanets, black holes and other topics unspools through a mix of introductory paragraphs, rounded bursts that recap "5 Cool Facts to Record" and "Space Travel Attractions" sidebars that highlight points of interest, in keeping with the theme of an imaginary journey ("Watch for spouting geysers, and be sure to catch Neptune rising in Triton's west"). The fresh, futuristic layout and wealth of detail should keep readers glued to the pages. Ages 8-12. (June)