The Space Cat: A Graphic Novel

by Nnedi Okorafor, Tana Ford (illustrator)

Invaders from outer space have descended on Nigeria. They have no idea whose home they're messing with.

Ah, yes, the luxurious life of a well-loved cat. It’s the best. And Periwinkle has it the cushiest. But there’s more to this pampered pet than meets the eye. He’s not just a house cat. He’s a space cat. By day, he’s showered with scritches, cuddles, and delicious chicken fillets. By night, he races through the cosmos in his custom-built spaceship.

Between epic battles with squeaky toys and working on ways to improve his ship, Periwinkle is never bored. And when his humans decide to leave the United States and move to the small but bustling town of Kaleria, Nigeria, he’s excited to explore his new home—even after he learns that many Nigerians hate cats. After all, a born adventurer like Periwinkle doesn’t shy away from new experiences. But not everything in Kaleria is as it seems. Soon enough, Periwinkle finds himself on his most out-of-this-world adventure yet, right here on Earth.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Animals, Comics, Cats, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2025

About the author

Nnedi Okorafor is a New York Times Bestselling writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. The more specific terms for her works are africanfuturism and africanjujuism, both terms she coined and defined. Born in the United States to two Nigerian (Igbo) immigrant parents and visiting family in Nigeria since she was a child, the foundation and inspiration of Nnedi’s work is rooted in this part of Africa. Her many works include Who Fears Death (winner of the World Fantasy Award and in development at HBO as a TV series), the Nebula and Hugo award winning novella trilogy Binti (in development as a TV series), the Lodestar and Locus Award winning Nsibidi Scripts Series, LaGuardia (winner of a Hugo and Eisner awards for Best Graphic Novel) and her most recent novella Remote Control. Her debut novel Zahrah the Windseeker won the prestigious Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature. She lives with her daughter Anyaugo in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more about Nnedi at Nnedi.com and follow Nnedi on twitter (as @Nnedi), Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

This was an interesting graphic novel about the secret life of Periwinkle, who in addition to being the author's cat, also has space adventures. These are presented in what I consider "comic book" format; episodic stories that don't necessarily tie together. The cat getting into a bottle of "alien" hot sauce was fairly amusing.

The art was phenomenal, and I loved the use of color. For the flashback of Periwinkle being adopted, there is a nice sepia toned background, but pops of color for people and the cat. The space adventures are largely blue and purple.

I enjoyed this author's Ikenga, but haven't read any of her other books. This would be a good choice for readers who enjoyed Cody and Mercado's Cat Ninja Venable and Yu's Katie the Catsitter, Boothby and Matsumoto's Sparks! or Marciano et al.'s Klawde.

https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute middle grade graphic novel. Older readers can enjoy it a lot as well, but I feel that the plot points are more appealing to a younger audience. I enjoyed the art as well.

It took a moment for me to adjust to the language choice used for the titular Space Cat. Periwinkle (the Space Cat) uses a kind of broken English, and I think it's intentional to indicate that Periwinkle is not from Earth, since all of the other animals speak English with normal grammar. It's also possible that it's intended to be Nigerian Pidgin (since about half of the book is set in Nigeria when the Okorafor family goes back to live there for a year) but I think it's intended to be a non-Earth thing since the other Space Cat also speaks in the same fashion.

All told, this is a quick and fun read, though I do think it would be enjoyed most by the intended MG audience.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun and imaginative, but not my cup of tea. It's vibrant and chaotic with plenty of action and a beloved protagonist, but doesn't stay with me or leave me wanting more.

[Kendall Santoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wildly entertaining graphic novel is a good choice for middle grade students. Periwinkle the cat’s cosmic adventures seamlessly blend with Nigerian culture, creating a wonderful story that all readers can enjoy. When Periwinkle’s family moves to Nigeria, he encounters many aspects of Nigerian culture, such as their dislike for cats. The setting of Nigeria, resent in the vibrant visuals, introduces local floral and fauna that Periwinkle soon discovers are undercover alien invaders, leading him on a thrilling and imaginative journey. Educators should offer this book in their classrooms as the fun, vibrant visual storytelling can be a great choice for reluctant readers as well as providing cultural representation of Nigeria.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read! The Space Cat is a cute, sweet, and genuinely funny graphic novel packed with fast-paced action and laugh-out-loud moments.

The art is great, and Nnedi Okorafor's depiction of feline behavior is perfect—anyone who has lived with a cat will find it hilariously accurate. The story also seamlessly weaves in fascinating learning moments about Nigerian culture, offering a wonderful window into traditions that may be new to many Western readers.

This is a fun, action-packed adventure that's full of heart, humor, and feline antics.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Periwinkle is a cat of extraterrestrial origins, who spends his days with a human family and nights in space racing a fellow alien feline in their spaceships - but when his owners move them to Nigeria, he and the local fauna must defend Earth from an invasion only they can see! Okorafor and Ford deliver a cute and prettily illustrated tale, comical and cozy amidst its entrancing stir of colours and space.

[Tam I · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read an ARC

I love cats. I love space. I thought this would be a winner. I was disappointed.

[terpkristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of a Space Cat and its friends saving the world from evil aliens. And, obviously, being a cat.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this title. Pumpernickel Pickle Periwinkle Chukwu Okorafor is not just any cat--he's a SPACE CAT. His father is from Neptune, after all. He has it pretty good at home, but when his humans travel to Nigeria for a year it looks like things might be a bit dicey. Nigerians, it seems, do not like cats. And it seems as though some sort of alien presence has invaded the area and is controlling the humans. But Periwinkle is not a cat to be trifled with. He is more than up to the challenge of making friends in a hostile environment--and those aliens will not know what hit them. This one is lots of fun.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough middle grade graphic novel.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book forever. I love Okorafor's fiction & Periwinkle makes appearances on her IG. The art is this is amazing. Tana Ford does a beautiful job capturing the essence of cat. The story is entertaining; I kept giggling in the first 1/3 of the book because of how fussy cats can be is captured perfectly. A fun read for sure!

[Amanda Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a really sweet cat adventure story. It's hard not to imagine your pets having a secret life when you're away, full of drama and intrigue, and this is just that. I've been a fan of Okorafor's work for years, and she frequently shares Periwinkle on her social media, so it was incredibly charming. I'm not sure how it would play for an audience not familiar with "The Nnedi" or Periwinkle, but I thought it was quite funny and sweet. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read!

[WadeofEarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated seeing a bit more of the cute/fun side of Okorafor's creativity in this one. I feel like pet owners in particular will love the rationalization of so much wierd animal behavior, but anyone can enjoy this fun little adventure! Okorafor and Ford are definitely a winning team!

[Sune Borkfelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

In all honesty, I probably would have liked this better if the cat didn't speak in a kind of youtube-ish broken English, which unduly infantilizes anthropomorphic animals.

This ruined for me what otherwise could have been a nice nonhuman animal-centred graphic novel. The artwork is cool, the story is simple - not much of a plot - but entertaining enough with some okay cultural commentary. But well.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

(DNF - pg 50)

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The family that adopted Periwinkle has no idea he’s a bit unusual. Ok, well, they know he gets crazy zoomies and that it took him forever to trust them after he was adopted. What they don’t know is that he’s part alien, defends them from alien invaders, and spends time at night in his spacecraft traveling the solar system. When the family moves from the States to Nigeria for a year, Periwinkle must contend with local superstitious mistrust of cats and certain other creatures, and then aliens invade. Can Periwinkle rally the local animals to help save Earth from an alien invasion the humans aren’t aware of?

This was an imaginative graphic novel of the adventures of an active cat. It appears the author based it somewhat on her real cat and what she imagines he might get up to. The Nigerian setting was interesting, and I trust it to be authentic since the author is Nigerian American. Periwinkle speaks English like he’s a non-native speaker, which rings true if he’s partially from Neptune. It does make his speech seem disjointed, but it isn’t the best example for those learning English. However it would be a good example of a fairly simple vernacular for an English class. All the other characters speak in fluent English. I like cat stories and I like scifi alien stories, so this was right up my alley. I know some students who are sure to enjoy this too.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Animals attacking bug or plant-mimicking aliens. Humans in Nigeria are frightened of cats and owls and try to drive them away or kill them. They rough up an owl and throw things at some cats.
Ethnic diversity: Nigerian Americans and Nigerians.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: A witch doctor tries to scare away a “devil” cat, but gets scared away instead.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now we know the TRUTH about the Great Hotsauce Incident.

TL:DR
4 stars
Appropriate for K+
Primary appeal to 2-5
Fans of Cats, Science Fiction, animals with purpose, possibly Scurry by Mac Smith and Warrior Cats GN's

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Those who follow Dr. Nnedi Okorafor online will undoubtedly recognize the main character of this story. Her very real cat, Periwinkle Chukwu, blesses us all with his genius through this fun and interesting sci-fi romp. We race in space, travel in an airplane cargo hold, experiance the Nigerian market, and witness The Great Hotsauce Incident.

While the average person may think that this Great Hotsauce Incident was just a cat being mischievous with condiments, WE now know that in fact, Periwinkle Chukwu successfully battled a tiny alien terror.

Yes, this story (beautifully illustrated by Tana Ford) is about a cat from space and how he saves the Earth (and his humans). But it is also about love and patience. We watch as a mistrustful and defensive cat becomes a loving and protective member of a family. And that evolution makes the rest of the story that much more enjoyable.

Although the mild violence may be too scary for some sensitive younglings, I wouldn't hesitate to read this with/to a few Kindergarteners in my life. I wouldn't put it on a library shelf dedicated to only those younger than 7, though.

I will definitely be adding this to my elementary school library, and highly recommend it for libraries where animal-centric adventures circulate a lot.


---
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance digital copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

KC
School Librarian for 3rd - 5th Grade
Storyteller
Lover of cheese & tiny boxes

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book absolutely charming. In fact, it’s inspired a brand-new theory: cats (especially when they come in pairs) are secretly extraterrestrials who sneak down to Earth, hijack the brains of our most talented authors, and compel them to write books celebrating their glorious magnificence. Kind of like a certain little alien in this story…

Why do I think this? Because this book radiates the same energy as Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu. Two very different works but alike in their cat-honoring devotion. Here, Nnedi Okorafor, speculative sci-fi master (I’ve loved her stories in Kabu Kabu and am starting Death of an Author next), spins a tale around her real-life cat, Periwinkle ( pictured at the back of the book). Meanwhile, Ito, horror manga legend, turns his signature style to the uncanny hilarity of his own cats, one with a very apt skull markings on his back, perfectly capturing both the horror and the irresistible “cute aggression” cats bring into our lives. Of course, I can make this connection because I happened to read Junji Ito's work a couple of weeks ago, but writers have been obsessed with cats for years. T.S. Eliot anyone?

The conclusion is obvious: cats are not just muses, they’re intergalactic overlords. And now I’m wondering… do I need a pair of my own to take over my own life? After this, I’m pretty sure the answer is yes.

I do also want to add that the illustrations here, by Tana Ford, are beautiful! I absolutely love them. I read this as a library copy that I read with the libby app, but will be buying a hard copy because the illustrations are too lovely and I can see myself reaching for this again and again when I need to lighten my mood.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story about a cat who goes to SPACE!!! (but doesn't let his humans know, haha)

The one misgiving I have is Periwinkle has that affectation where cats in particular have poor grammar, though at least all of his words are spelled correctly. It's more like someone who speaks English as a second language and basically understands perfectly but maybe can't speak as well—listening and getting the gist is one thing, compiling the correct word order mentally and saying it is another.

Mostly that concerns me because I want to hand this off to a younger reader who has "read twenty minutes a day (and graphic novels count!)" for homework, and that might throw her off. Then again, with an increasing "minority" population in this country, it might help her understand foreigners better?

I don't know. The main point is to give her reading material, and many English as a FIRST language speakers don't even speak properly, so... *shrug* If it flops, it flops, but at least I will have tried.

Absolutely adorable—and apparently REAL based on the photos!—cat having adventures both in SPACE!!! and on Earth, and finding out that even just on Earth, things can be very different! Recommended for cat lovers AND potential space travellers!

[Cody Wilson]

The Space Cat is a fun book. First Second publishes the cream of the crop among books suited for younger audiences, and The Space Cat is no exception. Granted, this book holds appeal to animal-lovers of any age group. Although I'm animal-obsessive, I grew up with a dog, so the relationship between cats and their owners has always kind of baffled me. How strange that Periwinkle terrorized Nnedi and her daughter until he suddenly decided to trust them. I like the idea that the cat's damage to the house reflects his battles with alien foes.

Light on plot, this graphic novel runs mostly on good vibes. Okorafor's portrayal of Periwinkle is loving, and she clearly had a ball writing the cat's goofy monologue. Tana Ford’s art and the script are so tightly in sync that the comic feels like the work of a single writer-artist. Ford's portrayal of Periwinkle is highly emotive in both his expressions and body language. Either she is a cat owner or she did impressive research on cat mannerisms. The coloring is also eye-catching, as Ford employs various interesting techniques throughout. These pages are richly detailed and compelling.

The Space Cat is an easy recommendation for any fans of cats and comics out there.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Periwinkle is originally from outer space, but now lives with Nnedi and Anya who are completely in the dark about this. It took a while to adjust, but now Periwinkle is pleased that his humans provide proper comfort and homage due his station. His life is quite perfect, except for when he takes his space ship out and the Orange Meow bests him in space races. Periwinkle seeks a battery source that will put him in the lead. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Nnedi and Anya move with Periwinkle to Nigeria, a place where cats are superstitiously hated. Even so, Periwinkle learns to like his new home and makes some strange friends who help him battle an alien invasion taking over his new home. This fun graphic novel, told from the perspective of a cat, explains quite a bit about the nature of Earth cats and the humans that serve them! I enjoyed the storyline completely and so glad that Okorafor took time out from her epic science fiction writing to write something so fun and epic for younger readers! Kudos to Tana Ford as well for the wonderful art that enhanced the story.

[Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

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A review by you! 
The Space Cat by Nnedi Okorafor

4.25 

Periwinkle is more than a beloved house cat--he is a space cat! Spaceship racing, cats from Neptune, and alien invaders are all part of the life of a space cat. So when the family moves to Nigeria for a year, Periwinkle is ready for any adventure. Many people in his new hometown, however, hate cats (and owls). But when dangerous mind-controlling aliens start taking over, only Periwinkle and his animal friends can stop them. If Periwinkle can convince them that humans are worth saving.

Space Cat is sure to delight graphic novel readers and animal lovers with its gorgeous art, humorous antics, and battle scenes as Periwinkle explores and defends the planet. And enjoys chicken filets. Readers may even gain insight into what any feline friends may be up to when no humans are looking.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Periwinkle is no ordinary cat! In THE SPACE CAT he lives a fabulous life, pampered by his humans all day, but at night, Periwinkle becomes a space cat, racing through the universe in his spaceship and battling aliens. When his family relocates to Nigeria, Periwinkle encounters a culture where cats aren’t universally beloved. This doesn’t deter Periwinkle, who rallies a group of cats to avert disaster, protecting the city from an alien invasion.

The graphic novel features fabulous artwork paired with imaginative episodic storytelling that meshes fantasy with the real world. Periwinkle is an engaging narrator with a distinctive speech pattern that takes a little getting used to, but that I think middle grade readers will enjoy. Filled with adventure and humor, fans of fantasy and animal stories will love following Periwinkle’s story.

[Glennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

Periwinkle the cat narrates his life in the pages of this book. Starting with coming to live with Nnedi and her daughter Anyaugo, Periwinkle takes a few months to warm up to them but now loves them very much. When they are asleep, he jumps in his space ship and races an orange space cat that has extra limbs and is from Neptune just like Periwinkle’s father. He protects the family from a hot sauce demon and also goes to Nigeria when Nnedi goes there for a year to write a book. When he is there he still has his spaceship since he keeps it in liminal space. He gets out one day and has even more adventures. The story and the art work hand in hand the entire book and I love the illustrations. A fun read for all ages.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you wonder what's going through your cat's head sometimes? This graphic novel for kids is an imaginative story of the author's cat as a sci-fi adventure.

Periwinkle is a space cat forced to survive on earth and eventually learns to love his owners and chicken fillets. At night, he races through space in his space ship or defeats aliens trying to invade the house, which explains his messes in the morning!

When he and his family move to Nigeria, he feels like he's stepped on another planet. He realizes that the world is much bigger than he thought and needs other animal friends to help him conquer an even bigger alien invasion.

⚠️One usage of God's name as exclamation. One usage of "the blood of Jesus" as another. Periwinkle is confronted by a witch doctor in Nigeria but stands his ground.

🐾 Excellent graphics. Having 4 cats of our own, we loved the story line!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is apparently is being marketed as a children's book, which it isn't. It's kid friendly, but if you like Okorafor's work , sci-fi, or cats, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy this.

Basically Okorafor and artist Tana Ford have produced a graphic novel about the cat Perwinkle and his adventures because his cat dad was from Neptune. Perwinkle's story is about protecting his humans, and by extension earth, from aliens, and to do this, he gets some help from dogs and birds.

I like how Perwinkle talks like a cat as opposed to a person. The artwork works. There are some funny bits, especially if you have ever been a caretaker for a cat.

It was a fun read that even touches on how some cultures view cats and owls.

[Alisha (booksmellz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

By day, Periwinkle is adored by his two humans. By night, he’s a space cat who races through the cosmos on his custom-built spaceship. Between battles with his squeaky toys and working on ways to make his ship faster, Periwinkle is never bored. So, when his humans decide to move to the small Nigerian town of Kaleria, Periwinkle is excited to explore, even if many Nigerians hate cats… nothing will steer this adventurous cat away from adventure! But, not everything in Kaleria is as it seems and soon enough, Periwinkle finds himself on his craziest adventure yet!

This is such an amazingly cute graphic novel that any cat lover will enjoy. This story is inspired by Nnedi Okorafor’s real life cat, Periwinkle and crazy adventures he may get into when she and her daughter aren’t looking (who knew cats destroy the house when you’re gone because they’re defeating alien foes?!). Okorafor’s portrayal of Periwinkle comes from a loving heart as both his mannerisms and dialog are goofy, but in a fun way.

Tana Ford’s coloring is eye-catching and immersive. Cats are way more expressive than most people realize and some illustrators are better at capturing than others and Ford does a fantastic job! She totally has a cat, or has been around them enough to be able to capture Periwinkle’s expressions perfectly.

Overall, super cute, super funny, a great read for cat lovers and scifi readers.

*Thank you First Second and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This MG graphic novel is a quick, fun read, featuring a wonderfully engaging cat named Periwinkle, based on Okorafor's own real-life cat. Periwinkle has a great life - beloved, spoiled pet by day, space explorer by night. When his family moves to Kaleria, Nigeria, Periwinkle is excited to explore his new home, despite being told that Nigerians hate cats. There's a mysterious enemy to fight, and that part of the story felt a little rushed to me compared to the pace of the rest of the book, but overall I loved this story of a special cat, and Tana Ford's illustrations were fantastic. Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for a digital review copy.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute story about Periwinkle, the author’s cat. He’s a pampered pet by day, and an intrepid space explorer at night. I enjoyed seeing Periwinkle’s interactions with other animals when his family moves to Nigeria, and of course, his battles with aliens. I loved the beautiful illustrations by Tana Ford, which emphasized the humor and heart of the story.

This graphic novel would be appropriate for school-age children, but it’s also fun for the young at heart who enjoy cat stories.

Thanks to First Second Books for providing me with an electronic ARC through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpernickel Pickle Periwinkle Chukwu Okorafor, or Periwinkle for short, is a cat who loves his humans and loves his home. But he originally comes from space, and still likes to race his spaceship around the solar system. He loves Earth though, and wants to protect it. While his human takes him to Nigeria on a work trip, he finds an alien invasion in the local market. It’s up to Periwinkle to convince all the local cats and dogs, and even owls, to help drive the invaders away.

A cute mid-grade graphic novel about a cat from space. It’s super cute, and the art is wonderful. Fun, short read.