Atomic Adventure (Professor Astro Cat)

In this follow-up to 2013's Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space, Walliman and Newman's blue feline--one part astronaut, one part scientist--guides readers through the fundamentals of physics, addressing topics that include the scientific method, motion, force, energy, and electricity. "Our moon is always trying to fly away," Astro Cat explains in an early spread, "but the gravity of our Earth keeps it flying around us." Newman's posterlike illustrations, evocative of 1960s space age artwork, put a hip, retro spin on a variety of scientific concepts. A glossary and closing spread of "factoroids" discussing neutrinos, nuclear fusion, and the Earth's magnetic poles sneak additional information into this appealing blend of science, history, and math. Ages 7-11. (May)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 2-5--After raising a series of questions about how the world works (Why is the sky blue? How does a boat float?), Professor Astro Cat invites readers to investigate the laws of physics. The answers to these questions--and much more--are found in a generous collection of eye-catching spreads, each covering a different topic, such as gravity, atoms, metals and nonmetals, mass and density, forces, and Newton's laws. There is a great deal of information packed into this book, but it is all presented in colorful varied graphics that explain concepts and vocabulary to budding physicists or anyone interested in the laws of the universe. The variety of graphic features combined with clearly written text and doses of humor make this work easy to linger over or browse. It is also useful as a mentor text for readers to study before preparing their own infographics. The only drawback is the lack of a table of contents--it is not so easy to find your way around all this material.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

For those who enjoyed the first book, Atomic Adventure will not disappoint. The artwork is just as dazzling, created with a similar, brighter palette and again adopting shapes and flourishes that evoke 1960s space-age designs. The science is just as fascinating too, and it's presented even more thoughtfully on the page, with a bit more airiness that helps guide the eye from one discovery to the next. [...] Whether you're a cat connoisseur, a dog devotee, a hamster partisan, or an iguana booster, you're apt to agree that the affable, amusing, and—yes—wonderfully nerdy Professor Astro Cat makes a fine companion for the budding scientist.
—American Scientist

A hip, retro spin on a variety of scientific concepts.
—Publisher's Weekly

Eye-catching, playful, and, most of all, informative.
—Booklist

There is a great deal of information packed into this book, but it is all presented in colorful varied graphics that explain concepts and vocabulary to budding physicists or anyone interested in the laws of the universe. The variety of graphic features combined with clearly written text and doses of humor make this work easy to linger over or browse.
—School Library Journal

Such a cool book to add to your library for your budding scientists!
—Book Nerd Mommy

Think you're too young to understand physics? Professor Astro Cat is here to show you how awesome the science of matter and energy is. Using language and examples that beginning learners will understand, with retro-futuristic illustrations that will catch kids' eyes, this is a great start for kids who want to go a little bit beyond the basic states of matter and find out more.
—Books for Kids

[...] their enthusiasm for exploring our 'Strange Universe' comes through warmly enough to be contagious.
—Kirkus Reviews

Scientific learning packaged in such a way that you don't realise you're drinking in mind blowing facts and stats. Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure is the latest genius book from Flying Eye.
—Picture Books Blogger

A great way to learn about facts and topics that are usually not told in such a simple and interesting way, making learning a joy!
—The Bookworm Baby

Ben Newman's illustrations are unique, bright and colourful with a strong retro design which is unusual and eye catching, it's instantly appealing. [...] Professor Astro Cat takes the children through each topic with a wonderful sense of fun and characterisation and he's sure to become a much loved and recognised character as more of these books are created.
—Book Monsters

While the topics may seem at times overly complicated, Walliman makes the information easily accessible. This, in fact, would be a good physics primer for both children and adults. Walliman's narrative pairs well with Newman's illustrations which are reminiscent of Richard Scarry's Busy Town. [...] it's an invaluable resource, as it gives an thorough overview of a subject that many find abstract and confusing. A great addition to any elementary or public library.
—Teeny Tiny Library

If you are looking to add to your arsenal of stealth educational books, the Professor Astro Cat series is a good way to do that. This is an example of educational science enrichment done well.
—Ethics and Culture