Science Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture

 

Three cats live in my house, and I learned so much about them and their distant cousins by reading this volume of Science Comics, Cats. It was written and drawn by Andy Hirsch, who has also created a bunch of other entries in the Science Comics series, including  Dogs, Rocks and Minerals, and Trees as well as The American Bison, which he made for History Comics. He also just published Good Boy, a fictional graphic novel about a boy who adopts a rescue dog.

But back to the subject of Cats, it's one got all of the hallmarks of graphic novels I've seen from Hirsch: a fun narrator, lots of facts that are not overwhelming, and very attractive and engaging artwork. The story begins with an interview with an internet-famous calico cat named Bean, who explains their journey from stray to pet that spins into a wide-ranging exploration of cats, including those from the distant past. 

This platform launches into a grand survey that is jam-packed with information about a wide range of felines, from house cats to tigers to ocelots to kodkods. I learned about why cats pace, hunt, and pounce; how they see in the dark; why they eat what they eat, and how the various specialized parts of their bodies work. It's even got a short section about reproduction and DNA and how they propagate specific traits. What's best about this book is that is a great read for anyone who is interested in cats, from younger readers to adults. It's presented in a very readable, engaging way that spans a wide range of audiences.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. Lori Henderson called it "another great entry in the Science Comics series" and added, "If you think you know everything about cats, this book will make you think again." Johanna Draper Carlson wrote, "Hirsch’s art style is well-suited to animals, giving them plenty of personality in a cartoony way." Sam Wildman added that Hirsch "does a fantastic job of mixing hard science with a fun story (and adorable narrator) to keep readers invested."

Cats: Nature and Nurture was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and much more here.

History Comics: The American Bison: The Buffalo's Survival Tale

I have been very impressed by the History Comics series of graphic novels, and this entry The American Bison pairs will thematically with one I reviewed earlier this year, The Wild Mustang. It traces the history of bison, which are also known as the American buffalo. These animals once numbered in the tens of millions across North America, until they were hunted near to extinction. This book is a treasure trove of information about them, with the graphics really enhancing the facts and history, as you can see in this excerpt:

One thing this book does well is detail the various relationships that the bison have had with different peoples and civilizations. A number of Native American people hunted and co-existed with them, and sometimes they even held them up for spiritual reasons. They were intimately linked with their way of life, for reasons of utility, nourishment, and spirituality. With the onset of white settlers, bison were cast in a different perspective, and with the proliferation of railroads, they became easy targets for recreational hunters who would pick them off with rifles as they crossed the nation.

Accounts of the efforts to both remember and preserve bison bookend this volume, providing insight into the nascent field of conservation as well as insights into the beginnings of national parks and nature preserves. The last third of the book especially chronicles the many people who worked to protect them, sometimes for altruistic reasons and sometimes for profit. This book impressively touches on matters of biology, history, government, and ecology, striking a great balance between informing and entertaining along the way. It's a fantastic nonfiction graphic novel.

The American Bison was written and drawn by Andy Hirsch, who has also created a bunch of entries in the Science Comics series of graphic novels, including  Dogs, Cats, Rocks and Minerals, and Trees.

The reviews I have read about this book have been positive. J. Caleb Mozzocco opined that this "story of the bison’s survival and gradual recovery isn’t just a good read, it is, perhaps, a necessary one." Brett called it "fascinating" and noted how it is a worthy entry in a great series of books.

The American Bison was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and much more here.

Science Comics: Rocks and Minerals: Geology from Caverns to the Cosmos

 

Earth Day is approaching, so why not review a book about what makes up the Earth? Science Comics: Rocks and Minerals: Geology from Caverns to the Cosmos contains so much information and covers a lot of ground (ha!). The story framework here focuses on two characters, Sedona, a seasoned geologist who wrangles geodes and crystals, and Wally, a young man who is eager to be her assistant and also discover rare, expensive, and exceptional rocks. 

Sedona in action!

The story begins when he brings a rock to her and he asks her what it is. Her response begins way back at the Big Bang and then covers the formation of elements, stars, and planets. Her tale also touches on volcanoes, plate tectonics, erosion, weathering, geologic ages, the three types of rocks, as well as relative and radioactive dating. The amount of sheer information in this book is staggering, but it is presented in an engaging, relatively breezy way because of expert storytelling. Many pages also resemble scientific diagrams and maps, making this book a content area teacher's dream.

I've read almost all of the books in the Science Comics series, and this one is as terrific as some of the best entries. I was not really surprised by that, as it was written and drawn by Andy Hirsch, who has also created books on Dogs, Cats, and Trees for the series. You can check out some of his drawing process in this video.

All the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. In a starred review from School Library Journal, John Peters summed up, " A rock-solid review for serious students of our planet’s story, infused with humor and wonder." Sara Smith wrote, "The coloring is beautiful and bright, and some of the illustrations of the different rock formations and minerals reminds me what I liked about them as a kid."

Science Comics: Rocks and Minerals: Geology from Caverns to the Cosmos was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more about it here.

Science Comics: Trees: Kings of the Forest

It's been a while since I've read a volume of Science Comics, and this one, Trees: Kings of the Forest, does not disappoint. As you might tell from the title, it is a long survey into trees, and it is chock full of information. For example, I learned how they adapt to protect themselves from some animals (like insects who eat their leaves) while also becoming inviting for others (like raccoons) to dwell in and on them. I learned how fig trees reproduce (the flowers are IN the fruit). I learned how a variety of seeds and pods are spread. I learned that trees actually have systems for communicating with other trees as well as for adapting to  environmental changes. And I also learned why some trees flourish in specific climate zones but not others.

The guide on this educational journey is a delightfully designed acorn who meets a variety of forest animals along the way. Some, like the squirrel, have ulterior motives for the acorn, and others, like a friendly beetle, just want to gnaw on and eat wood. The artwork in this book does so much. In some places it operates like the diagrams in a biology textbook, in others it offers helpful looks into the various layers and parts of trees. It also tells a fun story about an acorn as it travels across the forest and decides whether or not to begin the long process to become a tree. Just check out this excerpt to see how multi-purpose this book is.

It is clear that much research went into this book, both in terms of references and information. Like many other books in this series, it is intended for an upper elementary/middle school audience but offers much for older readers. It certainly features a lot of technical vocabulary, which is reinforced by the handy glossary in the end-papers. This book is the best kind of educational graphic novel, casting new light on its subject while maintaining a sense of humor and joy. I highly recommend this book and the entire Science Comics series.

This volume of Science Comics was created by Andy Hirsch, who has published other books in the series about dogs and cats. He also has a number of comic book series, including The Baker Street Peculiars, as well as a couple of other graphic novels under his belt, including his own Varmints. And on a personal note, Hirsch drew a caricature of me for The Comics Alternative podcast. I really dig his work.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been glowing. In a starred review Sarah Hunter opined, "It’s hard not to see the wonder in this dense, pithy comic, and kids who are under the misapprehension that trees are boring will quickly learn otherwise." J. Caleb Mozzocco wrote, "There aren’t really any bad comics in this line of books, but Trees? It’s a particularly good one." Jody Kopple concurred in her starred review, calling it "another winner in the series."

Trees: Kings of the Forest was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more here.

Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector

I went into reading this book thinking it would be a light, breezy read about the history of dogs. I was right about the first part, because boy was I surprised by how much more comprehensive and detailed it turned out to be, all while still being light and funny in tone. Pulling off this tough balancing act, the latest volume in the Science Comics series, Dogs: From Predator to Protector, touches on a great many scientific subjects, including genetics, evolution, and DNA. And better yet, it covers all this ground narrated by a cute and energetic pooch named Rudy.

As you can see from the excerpt, this is a colorful, interesting, and informative book. It touches on all kinds of issues and information about dogs, including an account of how they evolved from wolves, became friendly with people, and have been bred in particular ways to suit specific jobs and human whims. Along the way, there are many interesting episodes and asides, including information about how they see, smell, and hear. This book gets at how they socialize, why they sniff butts, why they chase balls, and what their barks can mean. Amazingly informative and gorgeously playful, this book should be a big hit with anyone who loves dogs, science, good comics, or learning about the world.

This impressive blend of educational and entertaining comics was created by Andy Hirsch. He has a number of comic book series, including The Baker Street Peculiars, as well as a couple of other graphic novels under his belt, including his own Varmints. He has volumes in the Science Comics series coming soon, one about trees and the other cats. He speaks extensively about his work on Dogs in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been glowing. Johanna Draper Carlson gave it high praise, writing, "All the Science Comics are great, but this is one of the best of the bunch, an outstanding read." Kirkus Reviews stated, "The scope and depth of information is truly impressive and could be formidable, but the comic-book format keeps things on the accessible side as well as helping to illustrate more complex points." Suzanne Costner wrote that it was "an excellent introduction to the history of domesticated dogs, and offers enough basic facts to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own."

Dogs: From Predator to Protector was published by First Second, and they have a preview and much more about this book here.

A preview copy was provided by the publisher.