PUNK TACO ADVENTURES! VOL. 1: NEW FRIENDS

In this middle-grade graphic novel, Punk Taco and his bandmates use music and love to save the universe.

Punk Taco, rendered as an animated taco with the works, is the leader of an intergalactic band of fellow multicolored alien musicians who want to “peace and love” across the galaxy. While on the planet New Omega, there’s an alert that an alien refugee has escaped quarantine and is considered dangerous. Punk Taco runs into the supposed threat—a young refugee who’s hungry and alone. Punk Taco nicknames his new friend Philip and promises him that he’ll help him find his family, as long as they can evade the Galactic Union Border Patrol. After introducing Philip to his friends and getting the supplies ready for his famous nachos, Punk Taco’s thrilling adventures continue as he finds himself being teleported against his will onto a spaceship in nearby orbit. Grand Admiral Tobias Kodakian of the Sciuridae Tribal Union is desperate for Punk Taco’s help to fuel their bio-ship—a giant space-whale that loves nachos. The Sciuridae people are under attack by Boogarr the Mad King, and it’s up to Punk Taco, his bandmates, and his new friend Philip to save the day with peace, love, and rock ’n’ roll. In this middle-grade graphic novel, authors Adam and Makana Wallenta, a parent-and-child team, have penned a story of bonhomie—in space and at home. With bright colors, fantastical aliens, and sentient human-taco hybrids, the illustrations of the various aliens and planetary creatures are sure to keep a young reader’s attention. The plot is fast-moving, with a prose level that’s appropriate for its target audience (“We should always be willing to fight and help those in need—no matter the sacrifice!”).The theme of being kind and helping others is woven throughout the novel, though never heavy-handedly. The series will continue with additional installments, and this book includes two Punk Taco short stories, “The Wonder of Art” and “Potty Humor,” both educational as well as entertaining, along with other resources.

Imaginative artwork, galaxy-spanning adventures, and themes of friendship make this graphic novel shine.