The Space Cat
He is Pumpernickel Pickle Periwinkle Chukwu Okorafor, but you may call him Periwinkle. At night, when his Earth family is asleep, Periwinkle flies his ship beyond the atmosphere and embraces his other identity… Space Cat!
The Space Cat is the incredible tale of award-winning fantasy and science fiction author Nnedi Okorafor’s cat Periwinkle with a speculative twist. Readers are introduced to Periwinkle and his family, their home and Periwinkle’s secret lair, as well as Periwinkle’s night time activity of racing against another space cat, Orange Meow. Constantly bested by Orange Meow, Periwinkle returns to Earth already contemplating improvements to his ship.
A few flashbacks fill readers in on some of Periwinkle’s background: when he was adopted by his human family, how he took a little time to get settled in with his new family, and how he handled a couple of unique situations, one with an extraterrestrial twist and one with a more mundane origin. Both situations, regardless of their causes, will be very familiar to cat owners. There are also references that Periwinkle has an extraterrestrial lineage.
In the present time, Nnedi, Anya, and Periwinkle will travel to Nigeria to live for a year while Nnedi works on a book there. Though he has been to space countless times, Periwinkle learns that he has not explored his Earth home as much, and Nigeria introduces him to new experiences and friends. Though some humans in Nigeria treat cats a little differently than back home, Periwinkle will not let their mistrust stop him from doing what’s right when they are threatened.
Nnedi Okorafor’s writing is already a force to be reckoned with, but it’s incredible how well matched it is with Tana Ford’s art. Ford’s artistry is the perfect compliment to Okorafor’s story and helps bring it to life on page. Her bold lines coupled with her masterful use of color will make readers want to savor each panel. Sepia tones indicate flashbacks, bright, warm colors evoke Nigeria, and otherworldly blues and purples capture Periwinkle’s space adventures. Ford effectively uses panels to convey the story as well: jagged, diagonal panels bring action to life while full page spreads are used to great effect. The characters Nnedi herself and her daughter Anya are realized perfectly, and the other humans and animal characters are expressive and beautifully rendered. Of course, no one compares to Periwinkle. Readers will fall for his big, blue eyes and feel every emotion he feels. He is the star of the story, and Ford realizes that with loving detail.
The publisher’s age rating for The Space Cat is ages 8-12, which is on point, but readers of all ages can enjoy Periwinkle’s adventures. Some humans are mean toward Periwinkle and other animals, but bravery and kindness triumph over any maliciousness, whether human or alien. One minor note is that Periwinkle and the other animals communicate with an abbreviated form of English, which may catch some readers unawares at first. However, it is an endearing trait that readers will soon pick up on, and Okorafor weaves it seamlessly with her human characters’ more natural English speech. Overall, The Space Cat is a must for any library collection. Be sure to check out the photos at the end of Nnedi, Anya, their other cat Neptune, and of course, Periwinkle!
The Space CatÂ
By Nnedi Okorafor
Art by Tana Ford
Macmillan First Second, 2025
ISBN: 9781250817488
Company Age Rating:Â 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Teen (13-16), Tween (10-13)
