July 12, 2021
In this kitten-focused spin-off of Brockington’s CatStronauts series, siblings Pancake (a tan cat in a purple rainbow shirt) and Waffles (a cream kitty sporting a yellow fish top) are eager to visit the Big City
Science Museum. Before heading to Mom-Cat’s house, the siblings and Dad-Cat make their way through the museum’s feline-inspired exhibits, which feature saber-toothed specimens in the hall of dino-cats, 4-D hairballs with an attendant gross-out video, and a planetarium: “The ancient cats saw pictures in groups of stars.” When the end of a CatStronauts-centered space tour finds the kittens separated from Dad-Cat, they show good judgment in asking for help—then contemplate what a “FUR-EVER” museum visit would involve. Filled with humorous catchphrases (“That’s one small step for cats, one giant pounce for feline-kind”) and regular, enthusiastic meal breaks (the family stuffs food into their faces with comedic tenacity), Brockington’s anthropomorphic world is rendered in blocky shapes and bright colors. If the plot seems a little lean, a focus on fostering interests and family fun—“My favorite part was all of it,” says Dad-Cat—proves winning. Ages 6–9.
November 1, 2023
Grades 1-4 Waffles and Pancake are siblings and BFFs (best felines forever), and they've got each other's tails. After winning a raffle for free tickets to space cat camp, Pancake is certain that camp will be not just stellar but interstellar. Waffles, though, is feeling homesick until he meets a buddy named Chip, who quickly becomes his new BFF, and Pancake feels replaced. Together, they navigate camp through activities like space-station simulations, and eventually, Pancake understands that more than one BFF can be equally pawesome. The latest in this prequel series to Brockington's popular graphic novel series Catstronauts, this space-camp adventure is sprinkled with science facts for the interested reader--what causes the craters on the moon, how long can you survive in space without a space suit, the function of artificial satellites--and it also has some valuable and accessible lessons about friendship and sibling jealousy. This easy-to-read early graphic novel with a simple plot and bright, appealing colors doesn't quite have the humor of so many of its genre counterparts, but its fact-filled space focus will no doubt find plenty of readers.
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