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Tom Gauld

@tomgauld.bsky.social

Cartoonist and Illustrator. My book of science cartoons, PHYSICS FOR CATS, is available now! www.tomgauld.com

68,539 Followers  |  96 Following  |  962 Posts  |  Joined: 11.06.2023  |  1.9207

Latest posts by tomgauld.bsky.social on Bluesky

title: The Writer in January Panel 1. “A short stroll...” says the writer aleaving the house. The sun has begun to peek over the horizon. Panel 2. “Then back to my desk for a good day's writing in the winter sun.” The sun has risen a little higher. Panel 3. “Surely it's not going down yet?” The sun is indeed on its way down. Panel 4. “Perhaps I'll catch the last rays.” Says the writer breaking into a sprint. Panel 5. The writer is back at home sitting at a desk saying “Damn!”. The sun is gone. The sky is gloomy.

title: The Writer in January Panel 1. “A short stroll...” says the writer aleaving the house. The sun has begun to peek over the horizon. Panel 2. “Then back to my desk for a good day's writing in the winter sun.” The sun has risen a little higher. Panel 3. “Surely it's not going down yet?” The sun is indeed on its way down. Panel 4. “Perhaps I'll catch the last rays.” Says the writer breaking into a sprint. Panel 5. The writer is back at home sitting at a desk saying “Damn!”. The sun is gone. The sky is gloomy.

A recent cartoon for @theguardian.com

26.01.2026 11:53 — 👍 779    🔁 187    💬 5    📌 8

That’s funny! ‘Pianist skull’ (rather than Pianist’s) makes it sound like the skull bounces around on the keyboard and plays the Goldberg Variations or whatever.

24.01.2026 11:08 — 👍 34    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

I don’t know them. Will take a look!

24.01.2026 11:04 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Panel 1. A graveyard: the gravedigger sits on a pile of earth. Hamlet stands before him, holding a skull. Hamlet: “Alas, poor yorick! I knew him, professor Horatio.” He tis looking at a lab-coated figure. Prof. Horatio: “Actually, my analysis suggests this skull belonged to a young woman from the late Neolithic era.” Panel 2. Leaving the graveyard Hamlet: “Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.” Prof. Horatio: “What’s that, my lord?” Hamlet (angrily): “Dost thou have to spoil everything.”

Panel 1. A graveyard: the gravedigger sits on a pile of earth. Hamlet stands before him, holding a skull. Hamlet: “Alas, poor yorick! I knew him, professor Horatio.” He tis looking at a lab-coated figure. Prof. Horatio: “Actually, my analysis suggests this skull belonged to a young woman from the late Neolithic era.” Panel 2. Leaving the graveyard Hamlet: “Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.” Prof. Horatio: “What’s that, my lord?” Hamlet (angrily): “Dost thou have to spoil everything.”

My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com

24.01.2026 10:12 — 👍 736    🔁 169    💬 9    📌 7
Panel One. Two figures walk up a hill in a park. One walks in front and the other is walking a dog Front "My new year's resolution is to stop lending books" Dog-walker "Really?" Panel Two. Front, becoming agitated "It's just not worth the risk: cracked spines! Bent corners! Torn pages! Grubby fingers! Crumbs! Baths! Burglars! Rats! Children!! I can't allow such precious artefacts to fall into the careless hands of clumsy philistines!" Panel Three. Dog-walker "And how do the other librarians feel about this?" Front "Less supportive Than I'd hoped."

Panel One. Two figures walk up a hill in a park. One walks in front and the other is walking a dog Front "My new year's resolution is to stop lending books" Dog-walker "Really?" Panel Two. Front, becoming agitated "It's just not worth the risk: cracked spines! Bent corners! Torn pages! Grubby fingers! Crumbs! Baths! Burglars! Rats! Children!! I can't allow such precious artefacts to fall into the careless hands of clumsy philistines!" Panel Three. Dog-walker "And how do the other librarians feel about this?" Front "Less supportive Than I'd hoped."

Panel 1. image of a huge nuclear plant. “Reactor Overheating” 2. A worker in a hazmat suit works at a computer. The screen reads: “Press cancel to avoid critical overload” 3 - 9. The worker continues to type at the computer. The screen changes in each panel and reads: “Enter password to confirm” “Incorrect password” “Incorrect password” “Do you want to reset your password?” “Reset link has been sent to your email” “Please choose a new password” “New password can't be the same as old password” The colour gets hotter in each panel. Starting blue in 1 and ending in red in 9. Panel 10. Wide view. The entire earth is blown up.

Panel 1. image of a huge nuclear plant. “Reactor Overheating” 2. A worker in a hazmat suit works at a computer. The screen reads: “Press cancel to avoid critical overload” 3 - 9. The worker continues to type at the computer. The screen changes in each panel and reads: “Enter password to confirm” “Incorrect password” “Incorrect password” “Do you want to reset your password?” “Reset link has been sent to your email” “Please choose a new password” “New password can't be the same as old password” The colour gets hotter in each panel. Starting blue in 1 and ending in red in 9. Panel 10. Wide view. The entire earth is blown up.

Night. The Department of Astrobiology building. One upper floor window is lit and a figure in it looks out and says "Dammit! Professor Monroe has all the luck!". In the car park outside, a second figure rises within a beam of light towards a flying saucer.

Night. The Department of Astrobiology building. One upper floor window is lit and a figure in it looks out and says "Dammit! Professor Monroe has all the luck!". In the car park outside, a second figure rises within a beam of light towards a flying saucer.

Title: How to focus on writing your book There follow eleven tiny images telling a story. The captions read: Turn your devices off (a writer with a phone and laptop. The screens are dark). Put them in a drawer. Lock the drawer. Throw away the key. Leave the house. Do not look back. Keep to backroads and hedgerows. Feel your old life slip away. (the writer has shed his clothes) Sleep by day. Forage in the evening. Write by the light of the moon When you have a passable first draft, commit a minor crime and use your phone call to contact your agent. (the naked writer is in a prison holding a phone while an unamused police officer looks on).

Title: How to focus on writing your book There follow eleven tiny images telling a story. The captions read: Turn your devices off (a writer with a phone and laptop. The screens are dark). Put them in a drawer. Lock the drawer. Throw away the key. Leave the house. Do not look back. Keep to backroads and hedgerows. Feel your old life slip away. (the writer has shed his clothes) Sleep by day. Forage in the evening. Write by the light of the moon When you have a passable first draft, commit a minor crime and use your phone call to contact your agent. (the naked writer is in a prison holding a phone while an unamused police officer looks on).

The Shop and Art for Sale at my website are open again. These original drawings, prints, and many others are available now.
www.tomgauld.com

19.01.2026 18:00 — 👍 169    🔁 47    💬 2    📌 1
Panel One. Two figures walk up a hill in a park. One walks in front and the other is walking a dog Front "My new year's resolution is to stop lending books" Dog-walker "Really?" Panel Two. Front, becoming agitated "It's just not worth the risk: cracked spines! Bent corners! Torn pages! Grubby fingers! Crumbs! Baths! Burglars! Rats! Children!! I can't allow such precious artefacts to fall into the careless hands of clumsy philistines!" Panel Three. Dog-walker "And how do the other librarians feel about this?" Front "Less supportive Than I'd hoped."

Panel One. Two figures walk up a hill in a park. One walks in front and the other is walking a dog Front "My new year's resolution is to stop lending books" Dog-walker "Really?" Panel Two. Front, becoming agitated "It's just not worth the risk: cracked spines! Bent corners! Torn pages! Grubby fingers! Crumbs! Baths! Burglars! Rats! Children!! I can't allow such precious artefacts to fall into the careless hands of clumsy philistines!" Panel Three. Dog-walker "And how do the other librarians feel about this?" Front "Less supportive Than I'd hoped."

My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com

18.01.2026 16:45 — 👍 1534    🔁 493    💬 12    📌 43

🙏

14.01.2026 17:25 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Night. The Department of Astrobiology building. One upper floor window is lit and a figure in it looks out and says "Dammit! Professor Monroe has all the luck!". In the car park outside, a second figure rises within a beam of light towards a flying saucer.

Night. The Department of Astrobiology building. One upper floor window is lit and a figure in it looks out and says "Dammit! Professor Monroe has all the luck!". In the car park outside, a second figure rises within a beam of light towards a flying saucer.

A recent cartoon for @newscientist.com. To order my new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats', see here: www.tomgauld.com

14.01.2026 13:20 — 👍 575    🔁 123    💬 4    📌 6
Title: #BOOKCOPS Panel One: A uniformed officer approaches a man sittiong at at a bar, he is reading and has a glass of red wine: "Sir, I have reason to believe that you are engaged in "Performative reading" in a public space." Panel Two: "There's been a mistake, officer! I'm perusing the menu. I'm very indecisive!" says the man anxiously The officer says: "Perhaps I can assist, sir. I'm something of a "Foodie" myself." Panel Three: "No need. I've decided!" says the man looking terrified "Let me see that!" says ther officer as he grabs the menu. "As I suspected: 'Infinite Jest' Concealed inside a fake menu!" Panel Four: "It's a first offence, so I'm only going to shame you on social media." says the officer "Next time I'll throw the book at you!" The man sobs.

Title: #BOOKCOPS Panel One: A uniformed officer approaches a man sittiong at at a bar, he is reading and has a glass of red wine: "Sir, I have reason to believe that you are engaged in "Performative reading" in a public space." Panel Two: "There's been a mistake, officer! I'm perusing the menu. I'm very indecisive!" says the man anxiously The officer says: "Perhaps I can assist, sir. I'm something of a "Foodie" myself." Panel Three: "No need. I've decided!" says the man looking terrified "Let me see that!" says ther officer as he grabs the menu. "As I suspected: 'Infinite Jest' Concealed inside a fake menu!" Panel Four: "It's a first offence, so I'm only going to shame you on social media." says the officer "Next time I'll throw the book at you!" The man sobs.

My latest books cartoon for Guardian Books #bookcops

12.01.2026 14:27 — 👍 510    🔁 129    💬 9    📌 5
Post image Post image

If your Sunday Scaries feel just a little stronger than usual, fear not. Scientists have proven there's no way around it...

from PHYSICS FOR CATS by Tom Gauld

11.01.2026 17:30 — 👍 315    🔁 91    💬 0    📌 3
Two scientist walk through a lab. One is saying: "I am a scientist, Martin. My observations must be meticulously documented, rigorously analysed and objectively verified. Haste is the enemy of wisdom!" The other asks: "But could you share a preliminary appraisal of your general thinking?" The first replies: "Well, if you insist on a crudely reductive answer, then, yes, I had a nice christmas."

Two scientist walk through a lab. One is saying: "I am a scientist, Martin. My observations must be meticulously documented, rigorously analysed and objectively verified. Haste is the enemy of wisdom!" The other asks: "But could you share a preliminary appraisal of your general thinking?" The first replies: "Well, if you insist on a crudely reductive answer, then, yes, I had a nice christmas."

A back-to-work cartoon for @newscientist.com

05.01.2026 11:32 — 👍 1016    🔁 299    💬 6    📌 9

No, I don’t think so. Maybe I’ll address that someday. Thanks!

05.01.2026 08:16 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Title: The five stages of coming to terms with an over ambitious reading resolution. A couple sit up in bed reading. The woman speaks and her partner is silent. 1. Denial. "No, Finishing a book every 2.75 days is not absurd!" She scowls. 2. Anger. "Why are these books all so long!!!" She looks fuirious. 3. Bargaining. "If you read a book and tell me about it, that counts right?" She looks at her partner pleadingly. 4. Depression. "All joy has fled yet my failure persists!" She is sunk in the covers. 5. Acceptance "Being at one with the art is all that matters" she says as she reads. Then adds "And next year I'm going to be at one with so much more art!"

Title: The five stages of coming to terms with an over ambitious reading resolution. A couple sit up in bed reading. The woman speaks and her partner is silent. 1. Denial. "No, Finishing a book every 2.75 days is not absurd!" She scowls. 2. Anger. "Why are these books all so long!!!" She looks fuirious. 3. Bargaining. "If you read a book and tell me about it, that counts right?" She looks at her partner pleadingly. 4. Depression. "All joy has fled yet my failure persists!" She is sunk in the covers. 5. Acceptance "Being at one with the art is all that matters" she says as she reads. Then adds "And next year I'm going to be at one with so much more art!"

A new year cartoon for @theguardian.com books

04.01.2026 11:27 — 👍 528    🔁 135    💬 4    📌 14

🙏

02.01.2026 19:47 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!

01.01.2026 16:08 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Title: New year's resolution A man sits at a table with a coffee writing in a notebook: “This year i will devote myself completely to reading serious, improving literature, forsaking easy pleasures and tirelessly seeking out truth and profundity in the work of the greatest writers.” He looks at it Says: Hmm... then “Scratch Scratch Scratch scratch” scribbles out words until the text reads: “This year I will read for Fun”

Title: New year's resolution A man sits at a table with a coffee writing in a notebook: “This year i will devote myself completely to reading serious, improving literature, forsaking easy pleasures and tirelessly seeking out truth and profundity in the work of the greatest writers.” He looks at it Says: Hmm... then “Scratch Scratch Scratch scratch” scribbles out words until the text reads: “This year I will read for Fun”

Happy New Year, everyone!

This is a @theguardian.com books cartoon from a few years ago.

01.01.2026 10:53 — 👍 1309    🔁 527    💬 10    📌 31

😁

31.12.2025 15:04 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
The neuroscience laboratory is closed for the holidays, but a staff member is on hand to answer the Consciousness Hotline. Scientist on the phone in an otherwise deserted office: "So, to summarise: No, I can't say with complete certainty that you exist. But yes, you probably ought to go back to work after the holidays anyway."

The neuroscience laboratory is closed for the holidays, but a staff member is on hand to answer the Consciousness Hotline. Scientist on the phone in an otherwise deserted office: "So, to summarise: No, I can't say with complete certainty that you exist. But yes, you probably ought to go back to work after the holidays anyway."

My cartoon for the latest @newscientist.com

29.12.2025 17:39 — 👍 813    🔁 270    💬 3    📌 10
The 27th of December... “I think Dad got too many books for christmas this year.” Says a daughter. “Don't worry, he'll get through them.” Says the mother, looking up from her book. “But until then..?” Asks the daughter. “He'll be fine on turkey sandwiches until he's reduced the front piles” The father is completely surrounded by high teetering walls of stacked books. He is reading within and the daughter has thrown a sandwich in to him.

The 27th of December... “I think Dad got too many books for christmas this year.” Says a daughter. “Don't worry, he'll get through them.” Says the mother, looking up from her book. “But until then..?” Asks the daughter. “He'll be fine on turkey sandwiches until he's reduced the front piles” The father is completely surrounded by high teetering walls of stacked books. He is reading within and the daughter has thrown a sandwich in to him.

My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books.

27.12.2025 17:23 — 👍 1034    🔁 311    💬 8    📌 30

Well, in an ideal world I’d be tagged in. But I understand people don’t always realise I’m here/ take the time to check/think I’d care.

23.12.2025 18:35 — 👍 11    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 0

It is. My signature is there, very small and pale (my choice).

23.12.2025 18:31 — 👍 15    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Title: The last-minute christmas rush at the bookshop. Image: diagram of a small bookshop packed with coloured dots representing people. The various colours represent the following groups: Contentedly browsing customer, Frazzled staff member, Can't find the book they want, Can't remember what they came for, Complete decision paralysis, In the queue to pay, Thinks they're in the queue but aren't, Dozed off in a comfy chair, Waiting to pounce on the comfy chair, Crying child, Crying adult, Vortex of discombobulated shoppers.

Title: The last-minute christmas rush at the bookshop. Image: diagram of a small bookshop packed with coloured dots representing people. The various colours represent the following groups: Contentedly browsing customer, Frazzled staff member, Can't find the book they want, Can't remember what they came for, Complete decision paralysis, In the queue to pay, Thinks they're in the queue but aren't, Dozed off in a comfy chair, Waiting to pounce on the comfy chair, Crying child, Crying adult, Vortex of discombobulated shoppers.

“The last-minute christmas rush at the bookshop.” - my latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books

21.12.2025 16:02 — 👍 974    🔁 315    💬 17    📌 31
Title: My year-end reading statistics. Five diagrams detailing the reading habits of a rather lazy reader.

Title: My year-end reading statistics. Five diagrams detailing the reading habits of a rather lazy reader.

'My year end reading statistics' (originally for @theguardian.com books).
p.s There's still time to pick up new book Physics for Cats at good bookshops and online www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2

18.12.2025 11:50 — 👍 740    🔁 273    💬 8    📌 27

Last few hours for these:

17.12.2025 16:26 — 👍 50    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 0
Caption: Every December, the team of marine biologists draw lots to decide who will take Mister Wiggles home with them for the holidays. Image: Five small figures take small pieces of paper from a hat. Behind them a colossal squid waits in an enormous tank set upon a gigantic trolley.

Caption: Every December, the team of marine biologists draw lots to decide who will take Mister Wiggles home with them for the holidays. Image: Five small figures take small pieces of paper from a hat. Behind them a colossal squid waits in an enormous tank set upon a gigantic trolley.

A Christmas cartoon from my new book of science cartoons PHYSICS FOR CATS. In good bookshops and online now: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2

17.12.2025 12:56 — 👍 844    🔁 215    💬 7    📌 7
Video thumbnail

This print sale at the Guardian ends tomorrow! (after that these three prints will be gone forever.)
guardianprintshop.com/pages/tom-ga...

16.12.2025 13:38 — 👍 75    🔁 18    💬 0    📌 2

Thank you! I'm pretty sure one of options on my site could have got to you by Christmas. Though presents in January are nice too.

16.12.2025 11:45 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 0
Title: Wenceslas Variations 1. Good King Wenceslas: King bestows gifts on peasant. 2. Bad things Wenceslas: King steals gifts from peasant. 3. Indifferent King Wenceslas: No gifts 4. Two Kings Wenceslas: Kings exchange gifts. 5. No King Wenceslas: Gifts divided between peasants. 6. Philosopher King Wenceslas: King and Peasant discuss gift-giving. 7. Quantum King Wenceslas: Gifts given and simultaneously not given. 8. Apex Predator King Wenceslas: King devours gifts and peasant.

Title: Wenceslas Variations 1. Good King Wenceslas: King bestows gifts on peasant. 2. Bad things Wenceslas: King steals gifts from peasant. 3. Indifferent King Wenceslas: No gifts 4. Two Kings Wenceslas: Kings exchange gifts. 5. No King Wenceslas: Gifts divided between peasants. 6. Philosopher King Wenceslas: King and Peasant discuss gift-giving. 7. Quantum King Wenceslas: Gifts given and simultaneously not given. 8. Apex Predator King Wenceslas: King devours gifts and peasant.

A Christmas cartoon from my new book of science cartoons PHYSICS FOR CATS. In good bookshops and online now: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2

16.12.2025 10:54 — 👍 668    🔁 205    💬 10    📌 3
Title: Heartwarming christmas television advert plot generator for bookshops. (choose one from each column to come up with a sentence) Choices in column 1: A lonely A grumpy A workaholic An elderly A poor Column 2: Book Shop Owner Learns The True Meaning Of Column 3: Literature Christmas Community Wealth Friendship Column 4: With help from a Column 5: Wise Celebrity Magical Kindly Clumsy Column 6: Child Mouse Parsnip Snowman Ghost Additional text below: Just add: twinkly music, wooly jumpers, computer-generated snow, poetry, bells.

Title: Heartwarming christmas television advert plot generator for bookshops. (choose one from each column to come up with a sentence) Choices in column 1: A lonely A grumpy A workaholic An elderly A poor Column 2: Book Shop Owner Learns The True Meaning Of Column 3: Literature Christmas Community Wealth Friendship Column 4: With help from a Column 5: Wise Celebrity Magical Kindly Clumsy Column 6: Child Mouse Parsnip Snowman Ghost Additional text below: Just add: twinkly music, wooly jumpers, computer-generated snow, poetry, bells.

Generate a heartwarming advert for your bookshop:

15.12.2025 14:29 — 👍 521    🔁 181    💬 11    📌 11
Title: The Writer's Dog A writer commands his obedient dog to undertake some tricks: Sit! Shake hands! Play dead! Give feedback on my latest draft, and be brutally, honest, unless you hate it, in which case, be diplomatic!

Title: The Writer's Dog A writer commands his obedient dog to undertake some tricks: Sit! Shake hands! Play dead! Give feedback on my latest draft, and be brutally, honest, unless you hate it, in which case, be diplomatic!

Title: Choose your seat in the literary festival event tent. Image: lines of chairs set out in a tent, a stage at the front has two more chairs on it. The chairs are colour-coded and labelled 1. Awkwardly close 2. Too far away 3. Good view / can't hear 4. Good sound / can't see 5. In a cold draught 6. Behind a giant 7. Between a chatter and a shusher 8. Very creaky chair 9. Great seat / wrong event A single yellow chair is labelled: 10. Just right!

Title: Choose your seat in the literary festival event tent. Image: lines of chairs set out in a tent, a stage at the front has two more chairs on it. The chairs are colour-coded and labelled 1. Awkwardly close 2. Too far away 3. Good view / can't hear 4. Good sound / can't see 5. In a cold draught 6. Behind a giant 7. Between a chatter and a shusher 8. Very creaky chair 9. Great seat / wrong event A single yellow chair is labelled: 10. Just right!

Image: The library of an ancient castle. A full moon shines through a gothic window. A vampire creeps up behing a carpenter. Caption: "It had not been easy, but the Count was glad that he had resisted drinking the carpenter's blood until his beautiful new bookshelves were complete."

Image: The library of an ancient castle. A full moon shines through a gothic window. A vampire creeps up behing a carpenter. Caption: "It had not been easy, but the Count was glad that he had resisted drinking the carpenter's blood until his beautiful new bookshelves were complete."

Also, these three prints are available for seven more days from
www.guardianprintshop.com then will be gone.

10.12.2025 11:10 — 👍 81    🔁 9    💬 0    📌 0

@tomgauld is following 19 prominent accounts