Disappointing. Space cats, sounds great, right? But so stereotyped and not particularly fun. ( )

Space Cat and Earl the robot are heading home to Earth when a space rock hits their fuel tank and causes them to crash land on a strange planet. Space Cat goes off to look for fuel but only finds a king who will not give him any. Then when the king's machine almost falls apart Space Cat saves the day with Earl's glue like pasta. This was a very cute story. It would be great to use for beginning readers in my class room. It has really bright pictures that draw a reader in and the story could encourage people to be adventurous. ( )

Disappointing. Space + cats, sounds great, right? But so stereotyped and not particularly fun. ( )

Cushman, D. (2004). Space cat. New York: HarperCollins.
Grades 1 and 2

Space Cat is returning home to Earth with his sidekick Earl the robot when a space rock hits their spaceship. Without fuel, Space Cat is forced to make an emergency landing on an unknown planet. In need of fuel, he looks for the king’s help. King Zorp cannot share any of his fuel since his whole planet depends on machines to keep the air and water clean. While Space Cat and the king visit the machine room, a malfunction causes the machines to fall apart. Thanks to Earl the robot and his awful cooking, Space Cat is able to use Earl’s noodles as glue and saves the machines. King Zorp thanks Space Cat’s actions with enough fuel to get him home.

Space cat is the perfect selection for kids who want to graduate from picture books. Part of the I Can Read Book series, it gives children their first experience with “real” books. The plot is easy to follow, the vocabulary is accessible, and the illustrations are bold and colorful. Children will enjoy the humor in Earl’s attempts at cooking and Space Cat’s heroic effort at saving King Zorp’s planet. ( )