My first-grader loved this, although probably more appropriate for around 3rd grade-middle school. ( )

Absolutely essential reading for anyone who has or loves cats! I've lived with them for most of my life and I still learned tons.

This comic isn't just a fact dump; we follow the story of Bean, a homeless kitten turned internet celebrity, as she explains how her rise from survival to super-stardom couldn't have happened without her keen predatory instincts (nature) and ability to adapt to social environments from solitude to kitty crowds to beloved pet (nurture). It's a super cute way to get tons of information--and answers to so many questions I've had over the years but had just written off as adorable, inexplicable quirks.

For those of you more canine-inclined, Andy Hirsch has also done a Science Comic about dogs. I haven't read that one, but I'd been looking forward to Cats ever since it first came up in the metadata audit seven months ago. I am delighted to say that it's so much more interesting and wonderful than I even expected. Go forth and learn! ( )

This is another great addition to the Science Comics series. This book features wonderful illustrations with great information about how cats came to be the extremely popular pets we know and love. Bean, our narrator, is an adorable calico cat. By going back to the beginning of their appearance on earth, Bean teaches the readers about wild cats and domesticated cats. Even the evolution and genetic mutations and breeding of cats was shared in an interesting and somewhat humorous way. The information is interesting and presented in such a manner as to be accessible to both children and adults. It touches on behavior, genetics, evolution, habitats, and domestication/ It also shared what makes cats special, and answers some of the basic cat questions. How do their ears work? Why are their tongues like that? How do they always land on their feet? I was fascinated by the description and illustrations of how the "righting reflex" works. The discussion of nature vs nurture when it came to hunting was also quite interesting. The graphics are well done. They are colourful, a good mix of realistic and cartoony, and well used to help move the narrative along visually. Although this book is geared to children ages 8 and up, as an adult, I also found it quite interesting. This book would be a great addition to a classroom, school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. ( )