Books of the Week – January 29, 2011

Here are our favorites from the past week (other than our ongoing obsessions – Ivy and Bean, Skippyjon Jones, and Harry Potter):

Tintin, age 8

Binky to the Rescue
Author/illustrator: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 2010)
Source: Public library

In this second Binky graphic novel  (the first is Binky the Space Cat), Binky still thinks he's a space cat that must save his space station and his humans from intruding aliens. It turns out, however, that his space station is really his house and the aliens are flies buzzing around his house. While trying to fight off the aliens, Binky accidentally falls out of the window of his spaceship into outerspace (aka "outside" to those of us who aren't space cats). While outside, he spots his favorite stuffed mouse, Ted, and tries to rescue him from a warship full of stinging aliens that bear a strange resemblance to bees. Unfortunately, he's not successful and ends up back in the house, where he devises plans to outsmart his humans and sneak back out into outerspace to save his friend.

Tintin's note: I liked Binky to the Rescue when the bees sting him and when he farted. I liked when he saved Ted.

Zig and Wikki in Something Ate My Homework
Author/illustrator: Nadja Spiegelman/Trade Loeffler
Publisher: Toon Books (April 2010)
Source: Public library

Zig and Wikki are two alien friends who accidentally end up on Earth while flying their spaceship to Zig's grandmother's house, where Zig was going to find a pet for his class zoo. Instead he must make do with finding a pet on this strange new planet. Fortunately, Wikki has a screen that turns on every once in a while and spouts out information about the creatures they meet during their search. So, for instance, we learn that flies taste with the hair on their feet and spit on their food to turn it into liquid so they can suck it up again. Unfortunately, Zig and Wikki have a little trouble catching a pet to bring back with them and must get back to their spaceship before they end up being eaten for lunch.

Tintin's note: I liked Zig and Wikki because when they went to Earth they thought they found aliens, but they were really animals.


Johnny Boo, age 5

Bunny Days
Author/illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Dial (January 2010)
Source: Public library

This is a cute and whimsical book about the mishaps of six bunnies and the bear who comes to their rescue. Split into three very short stories, the bunnies find themselves in need of a washing, thanks to Mr. Goat's mud-splashing tractor; a dusting, thanks to Mrs. Goat's super-sucking outdoor vacuum cleaner; and a little sewing on of tails, thanks to Mr. Goat's careless hedge-trimming. Luckily, Bear knows just what to do and everyone ends up happy again. Johnny Boo's favorite part was when the bunnies were hung on the clothesline to dry, but he did get a tiny bit sad when their tails were cut off during a game of hide-and-seek.

Johnny Boo's note: I liked Bunny Days because they're cute and marvelous, and that's kind of it.

Curious George Around Town Boxed Set
Author/illustrator: H.A. Rey
Publisher: HMH Books (October 2010)
Source: Home library

This six-book set includes Curious George and the Puppies, Curious George at the Aquarium, Curious George Visits the Toy Store, Curious George Makes Pancakes, Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory, and Curious George's Dinosaur Discovery. Not only does this set have a book about a chocolate factory (I've convinced Johnny Boo that he wants to work in a chocolate factory when he grows up), but it also has a carrying case with handle, which makes it perfect for carrying around the house and taking in the car. Johnny Boo loves reading these books and yesterday got an extra-special treat when his big brother read all six books in a row to him.

Johnny Boo's note: I liked Curious George because he's curious and he gets into trouble.
Tintin's note: And he always gets prizes at the end.

We're linking this post up with Feed Me Books Friday, Kid Konnection, and What My Child Is Reading.

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