Can You Hear a Penguin Fart on Mars?: And Other Excellent Questions by Jim Benton
Published by HarperAlley on June 29, 2021
ISBN: 0062972928
Pages: 96
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

This graphic novel was surprisingly funny and entertaining. Two robots, Jop and Blip, ask and answer all sorts of weird questions using science, kind of like the What If? section of the web comic xkcd, but way more accessible. The three questions tackled in the first book of what I’m hoping will be a series are: Can you hear a penguin fart on Mars? What if you wanted a dragon sandwich? Why do we need two ears?

The robots answer simply but informatively and the answers gently tackle the idea that to really know something you need lots of information, not just a little. Older elementary and middle school age kids (especially those who ask lots of questions) will enjoy this, as will fans of Bill Nye. This would be a great addition to a science room as well as a school library. As for whether you can hear a penguin fart on Mars? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath