Space Cat is a children's book originally published in 1952 by Ruthven Todd, with illustrations by Paul Galdone, that has recently been reprinted.Everyone goes to the moon in stories these days - why not a cat? So we have the ambitious young cat, Flyball, going off in a rocket and having extraordinary adventures. He is a delight in his space suit - a descendant perhaps of that famous adventurer Puss in Boots. On the moon he becomes, of course, a super-cat, rescuing his master and finding surprising things in a cave. Children will love Flyball's story - grown-ups, reading it aloud, will see in it a slight take-off on the popular science-fiction thread.
Space Cat is a fun adventure that is made sweeter by nostalgia. Adults that remember this book from its first printing, and readers new to the story, will be able to get lost in Flyball's perspective of the world and his adventures. I like reading about Flyball thinking about how he is in charge, even when denied his wishes. I think my cats have the same mentality. I think animal lovers, adventure fans, and science fiction fans will all enjoy this high flying adventure. The story is vintage, and fans of science fiction will be amused at some of the ideas about space travel, and the moon, from the story from the time in which it was written. I must admit that Flyball's little songs got a little tiresome, and by the end of the book I was just skipping over them.
Space Cat is a product of its time, and a fun read for early chapter book readers that like space, adventure, and cats. Those looking to revisit a loved or remembered book from their childhood might also want to pick it up and see it it stands up to your memories.
