Action-filled, comically cosmic missions sure to tickle young readers.
Agent Binky, first introduced in the graphic novel Binky the Space Cat (2009), returns.
Spires’ books recently spawned an animated series, Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe. Adapted from one of the TV episodes, this tale sees Binky facing off against an “alien” intruder: “Inchalong crawlicus. Code name: Caterpillar.” After all, though Binky may appear to be an ordinary housecat, he’s convinced that he’s a member of P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel), a secret group that keeps humans safe from extraterrestrials. Alerting his fellow agents (the other household pets), Binky keeps an eye on the creature as it builds a “spaceship,” which astute readers will recognize as a cocoon. Family dog Gordon admires the butterfly as it emerges, but when it flies into their home (or “space station”), Binky activates a “THREE-PAW ALERT.” Laugh-out-loud pratfalls ensue as the agents, outfitted in spacesuits, chase the butterfly through the house. As they briefly lose sight of it, they draw a hasty and hilarious conclusion before congratulating themselves on a job well done. Pear-shaped Binky and the rest of the P.U.R.S.T. team retain their distinctive comic shapes and over-the-top gestures as in the TV program. While the writing and art aren’t quite as polished as in Spires’ original graphic novels, Binky’s an amusingly self-assured but often inept hero; this series will doubtless be as popular as his other slapstick misadventures.
Action-filled, comically cosmic missions sure to tickle young readers. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781525312571
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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