Space Cat (I Can Read Book 1) [Paperback]

Doug Cushman (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2006 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: I Can Read Book 1

Space Cat and his trusty robot, Earl, are forced to land their rocket on a strange planet. Space Cat has to find more fuel to get home. Will he ever blast off again?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 1-2. In this sf adventure from the An I Can Read Book series, Space Cat and his comic sidekick, Earl the Robot, are heading home to Earth when a space rock crashes into their rocket ship's fuel tank. Space Cat quickly lands on a nearby planet and looks for help, while Earl mends the fuel tank and cooks up a batch of his infamous noodles. When Space Cat's overtures to the local king prove useless, Earl's noodles save the day. Though the plot may be a bit silly, the story doesn't take itself too seriously and the words are easy to read. The somewhere-out-in-space setting will appeal to kids who have run through Yolen's Commander Toad books all too quickly. Best of all, Cushman's cartoonlike drawings, zinging with bright colors, give the book instant appeal. The lightning bolt on Space Cat's space suit is evidently an homage to Flash Gordon, who is named on the dedication page. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Doug Cushman is the creator of many favorite mystery stories for young readers featuring such memorable heroes as the intrepid Aunt Eater, the grasshopper gumshoe Inspector Hopper, and the ace reporter Dirk Bones. He has also illustrated many books written by other authors, including Jack Prelutsky's What a Day It Was at School! He lives in Paris, France.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060089679
• ISBN-13: 978-0060089672
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Like Space Cat., November 17, 2010

By 

Sara Lp Balthazor "Sara" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space Cat (I Can Read Book 1) (Paperback)

I wouldn't consider this great literature, but my 23-month-old absolutely loves Space Cat. She tells me all about the pictures, and names the characters. True, she's not reading yet, but I'm sure that she'll be so familiar with the text by that point that it'll serve as a good learning guide for site words.

I wish there were sequels.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth purchasing., January 20, 2012

By 

Avid reader (Midland, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space Cat (I Can Read Book 1) (Paperback)

I got this book without properly looking at it at a local book fair.

Here are my issues with the book:

1. The assigned reading level is wrong:
It is supposed to be level one for "eager new readers". I don't know if someone rated it the wrong level or this is what level one reading is supposed to be. The words are far too large for beginner readers, the pages are filled with large words, blends and several contractions all of which really confuse and frustrate my five year old. This book is filled with words like creatures, rocket, fuel, strange and ketchup -- all really hard words for a starting reader.

2. The plot is not all that engaging:
There are too many parts that are brought together, the silly robot that cannot cook, hitting an asteroid, finding fuel, dealing with the king, and finally getting the fuel. There is not much cohesiveness as you move from one part of the story to another.

All in all, I would suggest finding another book, The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat is a favorite of ours.

0 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Can't rate something you ca't see!, June 8, 2009

By 

D. Robbins (Fairbanks, AK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space Cat (I Can Read Book 1) (Hardcover)

I would like to see one line of text so that I can determine if it will work for my early reader. It is important to see the word count per page and font to make that determination. So you get a low rating until I can tell if I would buy it. Thanks!