CatStronauts: Slapdash Science

CatStronauts #5

by Drew Brockington

In the fifth book in the CatStronauts graphic novel series, Pom Pom pushes her experiments to the limit on the International Space Station, while the cats at Mission Control take a much needed break. What could possibly go wrong?


While the cats are away, the other cats will play! Flight Director Maisy is off on her first vacation in years, and World's Best Scientist is looking for a secret vacation of his own. But while the party picks up on Earth, the CatStronauts are trying to get all of their work on the International Space Station done in record time. So when disaster strikes in space, the CatStronauts will have to fix everything without their trusty support team at Mission Control.


In this full-color graphic novel, author/illustrator Drew Brockington pushes CatStronauts team further than ever, adding in mounds of experiments, teamwork, and tuna fish by the ton!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Comics, Middle Grade, Cats, Science Fiction, Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2019

Reviews

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment focuses not only on the CatStronauts but on the crew that's looking out for them on Earth at their station. When the head honcho leaves and puts a new cat in charge - pandemonium breaks out and suddenly no one is working together or at all. When they go on a trust building retreat they leave the station in charge of one scientist cat and robot and that's when the trouble gets even worse. What happens if something goes wrong in space and the CatStronauts need help - will anyone come running or are they all too busy? Fun, nonsensical, and great!

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the title might describe the patch-quilt plots of this one, but it is still awesome! I just can't figure out why employees of CATSUP had a high-school style science fair. It was very confusing, and I'm 46, not a part of the target youth audience.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cat humor was outstanding.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first of this series then bought the first three for school which are popular with readers age range 7 - 12, so on request I’ve bought the next 3. This is book 5 and full of the same humour. Dogman fans move onto Investigators move on to these, but also general older reluctant readers who like a bit of daft humour.

[Mary Havens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh....wasn’t really feeling this one. It was kind of cute (who doesn’t love cats named Pom Pom, Blanket, and Waffles?) but the plot was threadbare. My daughter recommended this to me and it’s definitely for the juvenile reader. And while I enjoy a juvenile read, it has to have some substance. There’s only so many cat puns and “pawsomes!” I can take. #grumpers

[Chris Burd]

I would not normally include a short, fun read like this one in my reading challenge - but I’m woefully behind and unlikely to actually hit my goal again this year. So I’m counting every silly, fun book I consume!

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still super cute, just didn’t enjoy this ones plot as much.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Catsronauts are headed off to the International Space Station to attach the new botany module, perform some experiments, and do some maintenance. Pom Pom has a huge list of experiments to run which the rest of the team thinks may be too much, but Pom Pom is determined. Meanwhile, back at Catsup the Flight Director is going on vacation and leaves Glumdalum in charge. Glumdalum is struggling a little with getting people to work, so she takes the entire Mission Control team on a team building camping trip, leaving the World's Best Scientist and Catstrobot in charge. Well, that's what she thinks. The World's Best Scientist may not have heard her plans and when he sees everyone else is gone, he decides it is time for a vacation too. And of course, while everyone is out vacationing is when a catastrophe hits the ISS.

There are definite themes to this Castronauts' adventure: teamwork, not biting off more than is wise, and responsibility. All of which are great lessons for anyone. The lessons are wrapped in a fun package with great illustrations, characters, and funny timing. A great book for kids to practice making predictions with as there is some foreshadowing and a setup for everything to go wrong. This is my favorite Catstronauts in a while. Recommended for scifi fans, cat lovers, and graphic novel fans.

Notes on content: Peril is threatened, but things work out ok without anyone hurt.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yogi and Uma from COOKIE have just finished the module for the new space garden on the intenational space station. The CatStronauts are going to install it while performing some maintenance on the space station. Their project goes haywire when Pom Pom takes on too many experiments. The space garden becomes overcome with weeds. Trying to fix it leads to another even worse problem that is life threatening to the CatStronauts.
While they're in space the CatStronauts at mission control are having their own problems. After losing at the science fair Glumdalum is distraught. Flight Director Maisy is going on vacation and leaves Glumdalum in charge to raise her spirits. But no one will listen to Glumdalum so she takes the CatStronauts from mission control on a team building excursion leaving the world's best scientist in charge. But he goes on a secret vacation leaving just Cat-Stro-Bot in charge of the entire mission control. It proves way to much for even a robot to do alone and Cat-Stro-Bot decides to join the world's best scientist on vacation....leaving no one running mission control. So when the CatStronauts working on the international space station run into trouble there's no one on the ground to help. Each group of cats isn't aware of what the others are doing. It's a tense situation on the space station as they wait for help from the cats on vacation and on the team building field trip.

[Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: The elite CatStronauts have been enjoying some time off after their robot rescue on Europa, but break is officially over. No more fancy fish frying classes or reading Robot Comics all day. It's back to active duty! Cat scientists from COOKIE* have just finished building a new space garden module for the International Space Station and they need the CatStronauts' help installing it. While in space, Pom Pom is excited to execute a few (hundred) experiments. Everything is going smoothly until...Pom Pom falls alseep, her plants, die and the weeds start growing everywhere! Things get worse when the sprinklers turn on and the cabin starts filling with water. Plus, the cats back at Mission Control have accidentally abandoned the crew for rest, relaxation, and retreat. With no cats around to help, will the CatStronauts ever get back to Earth? -- inside book jacket

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6-year-old says, "At first, it's a bit boring. But then when you get in the middle, there's a there's a leak in the spaceship that they're in. And it gets to the top of the spaceship and they're trapped underwater. And then it feels like they're gonna die underwater. But back at the Catstronauts building they pushed a button to open a door to a different section of the spaceship that had holes in the walls so the water could come out. And they ended up alive."

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this series. The CatStronauts are on a mission on the space station, while meanwhile everyone in mission control goes on vacation. I have to say, promoting someone because you feel bad for them is not a great leadership strategy. Also, being in a position where you are doing a job you are in no way qualified for is the worst. Anyways, the child (who is the target audience) really enjoyed this book.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was cute with some great messages about working together and thinking through problems. I'm a little confused at the Science Fair thing because they are supposed to be working at (basically) NASA yet their projects were like elementary school science fair projects. I know it gives the one cat (already forgot her name) the motivation to be a leader but I think the whole fair thing should have been cut.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite out of the series, yet still solid and fun. Hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and pride all come into play here when teamwork isn't number one. The mission is almost totally lost when FUN becomes the number one priority! Thankfully all the cats pull together and help each other out. Good lessons are hidden within the cute and funny storylines.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable surprise. My son and I read this together at night before bed over a few nights. I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did he! He's now zooming through the other books.

The failures, struggles and imperfections of the cats make them endearing. I hope the rest of the series is as good!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so good--it's definitely underrated. Unlike many other books that appeal to a similar demographic (light, silly, absurdist humor), there's real attention to character, emotional, and plot development. And lots of Easter eggs in the illustrations! It's definitely on par with Dog Man, which also manages to be both silly and serious.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is too funny when all the cats abandon Catsup for team building or secret vacations. And the catstronauts are having dilemmas in space. Although, the adult in me is going don't promote someone just because they feel bad and you want them to feel better. They should be promoted because the are best suited to the job. Don't mind my grown up brain.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another funny adventure with the Catstronauts. Includes lots of great visual jokes in almost all the panels, along with a story that delivers a life lesson about cooperation and teamwork without being preachy. I can't wait for the next one.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Catsronauts are off on their fifth space mission. Ground control has lost focus on the mission, and the catsronauts find themselves in dire straights when experiments go haywire. It takes team work, and brainstorming, and a swallowing of pride to collectively get everyone back on task.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disaster strikes the Catstronauts aboard a space station! I still unironically think this is my favorite juvenile graphic novel series. I liked the development of the scientist, Pom Pom, and her relationship and dynamic with the rest of the group.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was a lot of fun and a big hit with my nieces and, particularly, my nephew who has quite a love of all things science and astronomy. If you have any budding young astronauts in the family--or cat lovers (or both)--definitely a series to pay attention to.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the messages here are don't try to do everything yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help. Good messages!

Although this book begs the question, why do they keep sending these same nitwits to do all the space and science stuff?!

[Arthur Rehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cool!! I thought it was amazing but this wasn't my favorite Catstronuats book. It was a very action adventure book and it was funny. I really enjoy the Catstronuats book series but I didn't really like this one as muck as the others.

[Cecily Rehner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Catstronauts come back to space after a nice summer break. Pom Pom has a lot to do to open the space garden. And when she messes the plants up the Catsronauts are in big trouble. will they save themselves in time!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good volume. I enjoyed the pace and the plot was good. There didn't feel like much character development, but the characters are pretty established.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE. I love these so much!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this story, however, I thought the cover was quite misleading.

[Suzann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the worst of the series, but not the best. I loved the Homer Hickam sight gag!

[Miriam Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable