CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington, and: CatStronauts: Race to Mars (review)
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington, and: CatStronauts: Race to Mars
Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-316-30747-5 $15.99
Paper ed. ISBN 978-0-316-30745-1 $7.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-316-30746-8 $9.99
Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 2-4
Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-316-30748-2 $15.99
Paper ed. ISBN 978-316-30750-5 $7.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-316-30749-9 $9.99
Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 2-4
The CatStronauts are ready to do what must be done, first tackling a trip to the moon, where they will set up a solar panel to help with the Earth’s energy crisis and then heading out to Mars, just to prove they can (they are part of a global space race to be the first cats on Mars). Though a motley crew from the stolid Major Meowser to the goofy and always hungry Waffles (Blanket and Pom Pom round out the foursome), they quickly recognize that they each bring strengths to the mission that make them a formidable team. The tone in this graphic novel is primarily light-hearted, though the energy crisis certainly causes some angst for those stuck on Earth, and it will be breezy reading for the target audience. The cats themselves are simply drawn ovals with ears and limbs who nonetheless sport a remarkable range of expressions, even behind their extensive space protective gear. Full page star-filled chapter divides help organize the text, as do paneling that is consistent throughout the novels, making them particularly accessible for young readers. There’s lots of enthusiasm for graphic novels for this age range, and the CatStronauts deserve a spot; sequels will likely be eagerly anticipated. Full color illustrations not seen.
