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Binky to the Rescue (A Binky Adventure)

by Ashley Spires
64p. 978-1-55453-502-6.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1—4—When Binky the space cat and Ted, his stuffed mouse, fall out of the window and find themselves adrift in outer space (the backyard), the cat has to rely on his training to combat the aliens (bees and spiders) and to get himself home again. Although the feline returns safely, his trusty cohort has been left behind and Binky must brave the unexpected again. The text is cleverly written, and the jokes are appealing to young readers. From Binky's inner monologue about the motives of his humans to his excessive habit of munching on cat crunchies and releasing a discreet "pooot," he is funny. As with Binky the Space Cat (Kids Can, 2009), the graphic-novel layout is simple and easy to follow. Spires changes the number of panels and frames per page and includes full-page layouts. The watercolor illustrations are a perfect medium to capture Binky's changing expressions, allowing readers to understand his emotions even without reading the text. A great choice for beginning chapter-book readers or an introduction to graphic novels, this one's a winner in both quality and appeal.—Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY
In his second adventure, house-cat Binky (Binky the Space Cat), chasing alien invaders (bugs), falls out the window and lands in "outer space" (the yard). Under threat of an enemy warship (wasp nest), Binky must rescue his stuffed toy. In this graphic novel, very young readers will continue to find lots of humor in Binky's offbeat imaginary antics.
Readers will enjoy the way Binky misunderstands the significance of everyday objects. For example, he mistakes a wasps’ nest for an alien warship. The mock-serious tone of the narration and Binky’s earnest dedication to his spy and rescue missions provide a great deal of humor. Ashley Spires’s stylized artwork is bold and fun. There is a sweetness to the relationships between Binky, his owner, and Binky’s doll Ted. Sure to be a hit with fans of Binky the Space Cat, the previous book in this series.

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