Tate Tuber, Space Spud

A funny sci fi comic that's just right for second and third graders!

Tate Tuber has always known he was destined for greatness. A couch potato? Not Tate--he's going to be an astronaut! So when
Tate sees his chance to join space training, he literally jumps at the chance.

But on his first mission, Tate learns that his role doesn't include finding aliens or stopping asteroids. The human astronauts want to use Tate in a space farming experiment. How disappointing! But when the space station loses power and begins hurtling back towards earth, it's up to Tate to save the day with his ability to conduct electricity! Potato power!

In the back of the book are science facts about how potatoes really do conduct electricity, growing veggies in space, and more!

I Like to Read Comics(R) are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories, these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds. I Like to Read Comics(R), like their award-winning I Like to Read(R) counterpart, are created by celebrated artists and support reading comprehension to transform children into lifelong readers.

We hope that all new readers will say, "I like to read comics!"

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Author: Michael Slack
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 10/28/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.45lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823458479
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 09/01/2025 pg. 79
Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2025

About the Author
Michael Slack has worked as an animator, character designer, illustrator, and author. He is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. He is the author and illustrator of more than 40 picture books for kids. This includes the notable Kitties & Dinosaurs series. He's won some awards, including the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles Bronze Award in Children's Division and the Communication Arts Illustration Annual Award. He has made art for games like the best-selling Crocodile Creek Puzzles, and sometimes still does. He lives in San Francisco, California with his daughter, wife, and dog.