The First Cat in Space
Part of the collectionMac Barnett→Best for 7–10s who want a fast, silly, visually inventive graphic novel series; also a great read-aloud for adults willing to do voices.
- Books4 / 4
- Arcs1
- Span2022–2025
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
A graphic-novel series with Shawn Harris in which a cat is sent to investigate the moon and finds a robot, a hot-dog-eating king, a soup-of-doom and similar nonsense. Cinematic page layouts, big bright art, fast pacing. Originating on Instagram as a livestreamed drawing performance; now four hardback volumes.
Best for 7–10s who want a fast, silly, visually inventive graphic novel series; also a great read-aloud for adults willing to do voices.
Primary themes
Overall tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Adventurous
- Whimsical
Read in order; each book continues the over-story.
One arc
The shape of the series.
- INarrative arcLow sensitivity
Cat in space
Four-volume graphic novel adventure series about a cat, a robot and the Moon.
An ongoing absurdist space adventure with a tightening over-story. Visual gags do most of the work; the writing is tighter than the silliness suggests.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 7–10
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–10
Reluctant-reader friendliness
Very high
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Not especially
Sensitivity envelope
Low overall, and consistent.
In the same universe
Sister series.
Six chapter books (Mac Undercover 2018 through Mac Saves the World 2022) framed as a memoir of Mac Barnett's stint as a child spy for the Queen. Illustrated thr…
Open series →SeriesNow I SeeA 2026 seasonal quartet (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) of picture books illustrated by Mac Barnett himself, in a more painterly register than his collaboratio…
Open series →SeriesThe Shape TrilogyThree picture books with Jon Klassen, Triangle (2017), Square (2018), Circle (2019), built around the simplest possible cast (three geometric shapes) and weight…
Open series →About the author