This spinoff series opener is a must for Binky’s legions of faithful feline fans.
Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel saves unsuspecting humans from aliens daily. How do they do it?
Large white puss Sgt. Fluffy Vandermere is in charge of P.U.R.S.T., the secret organization of pets whose purpose it is to keep their humans safe from alien (i.e. insect) attack. Click is Fluffy’s “right-hand cat.” She relays all the pertinent information to him and oversees the operations of their secret base (far beneath the sandbox). Fluffy used to be a crack operative, smooshing bugs and saving humans; but years behind a desk have made him a bit flabby. When an urgent message arrives warning of imminent attack, Fluffy springs into action. But the evil insects take over the base. Retreating to his secret bunker with only Click and guinea pig engineer Darryl, can Sgt. Fluffy retake his base of operations and oust the insectile incursion? Spires expands her Binky the Space Cat series with this gift to fans (and all lovers of funny comics). The silly and sly spy jinks unfold entirely in narration blocks laid out between her graphic panels; dialogue consists of animal vocalizations (“Murp?!”; “Mee mew”) that are surprisingly expressive. Muted colors show digitally stylized, serious felines (now accompanied by other species of pets) saving the world one bug—er, alien at a time.
This spinoff series opener is a must for Binky’s legions of faithful feline fans. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12)Pub Date: April 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-77138-127-7
Page Count: 72
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Bad Kitty's legions of fans will not be disappointed. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 8-12)
Can Diabla von Gloom's School for Wayward Pets take the "bad" out of Bad Kitty?
When Baby gets hurt during a Bad Kitty/Poor Puppy screaming-hissing-howling chase, Bad Kitty's owners send the two pets to school. Much to Kitty's chagrin, her owner sends her off with a complete set of Love Love Angel Kitten (think: Hello Kitty on happy pills) accessories (like a backpack, ruler, bowling ball, cinder block and a full spectrum of pink crayons). Petunia, a cat-hating bulldog, and Dr. Lagomorph, “a diabolical mutant supervillain” (a bunny in a helmet made from a plastic bottle), fill out Kitty and Puppy's class. With their sweet, understanding teacher, Miss Dee, the students experience circle time (during which Petunia mistakes Kitty for a cow), arts and crafts, show and tell (Bad Kitty shows off her hairball talents) and storytime. Miss Dee encourages Bad Kitty, but will it be enough to erase her bad attitude? Bruel's sixth Bad Kitty chapter book is, as its predecessors, laid out in a mix of black-and-white panels, full-bleed illustrations and text. It offers as much dry, sly (and over-the-top) humor as it does attitude and is peppered with Uncle Murray's chapters of real information, this time centered on cat/dog interaction. Bad Kitty's Love Love Angel Kitten–inspired dream of zombie-cuteness (when she drifts off during storytime) is not to be missed.
Bad Kitty's legions of fans will not be disappointed. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-59643-670-1
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: Oct. 9, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Silly, swift, and a surefire success.
A dog who sees the world through his own unique lens battles evil forces to protect his newfound family—and inadvertently succeeds.
In a “Dear Diary” format, Sam the pug relates his adventures over the course of 20 eventful days, during which he runs away from “naked-monkey-thing” owner Mike, ends up at the shelter, and gets adopted by the Peterson family, who have a 12-year-old son named Justin. Meanwhile, Sam is suspicious of Justin’s new friend, Phoebe, but perceives actual villains Drago and Grisha as his friends, even though they’re trying to steal the Peterson parents’ lab secrets. Many of Sam’s fears will be humorous to readers, such as the “deadly assassination robot” (the vacuum) and the Ghost Wolf (Sam’s own reflection in a sliding glass door). No matter how misguided and oblivious he is, Sam’s heart is in the right place, however, and he manages to protect his family. He’s also able to smell people’s emotions, knows when Justin is lonely, and tries to be a good companion. Readers will find plenty of humor—and a few gross-out moments, as when the Petersons’ cat makes “little snack treats” in his “magic sand oven.” The grayscale cartoon illustrations throughout are especially funny and often spotlight the difference between Sam’s worldview and reality. Most main characters read white; the bad guys are coded as Eastern Europeans who speak a language other than English.
Silly, swift, and a surefire success. (Adventure. 8-12)Pub Date: June 4, 2024
ISBN: 9780358612902
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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