SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

June 30, 2009 by Snow Wildsmith

Review: Binky the Space Cat

June 30, 2009 by Snow Wildsmith   Leave a Comment

This is it, this is the moment that Binky has been training for–he has finally been deemed Space Cat Qualified by Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (F.U.R.S.T.). Now he can live up to his true destiny, defending his humans against the scourge of bug…er, alien invasion.

Binky the Space Cat
Ashley Spires
Ages 7-10, Grades 2-5
Kids Can Press, August 2009, ISBN 978-1-55453-309-1(hc)/978-1-55453-419-7(pb)
64 pages, $16.95(hc)/$7.95(pb)

Spires’ graphic novel is a treat for anyone who’s ever dreamed of the glory of being an astronaut, as well as anyone who has ever loved a cat. Kids will laugh at the silliness of Binky’s quest, knowing that bugs aren’t really aliens, but also knowing that cats can’t resist trying to catch a flying insect. What makes Spires’ silly story work is that she doesn’t forget the little details. For example, is Binky a housecat who never goes outside…or is he living on a space station surrounded by the vacuum of space? Then there are the details about Binky’s astronaut training and his research into the nature of bugs and aliens. All of these little elements, contained in just 64 pages, add up to a believable world as viewed through the eyes of one little cat.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The art in Binky is as adorable as the story. Binky is pleasingly plumb, a rounded triangle of a cat, with a black face and a chubby white body. His ears, which come to a point at the top of his head, are used for comic effect, as is his brow, which is often set in a determined line. Spires’ panels are easy to follow and though they are often rectangular, they are never standardized or run of the mill. They overlap as needed and the borders change to denote past events or future possibilities. The color palette is a comfortably soft gray and white, with just a touch of red and purple at times to highlight elements.

This simple story is a good choice for readers looking to move past the simplicity of the Toon Books and into something a little more challenging, but not so long or difficult as to frustrate them. A few poop and fart jokes make this seem less "girly" and will add to the giggles of readers who are enjoying Binky’s adventures. Hopefully Spires will bring back her cat and his space traveling plans for future comics!

This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Kids Can Press.

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Snow Wildsmith

Snow Wildsmith is a writer and former teen librarian. She has served on several committees for the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association, including the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She reviews graphic novels for Booklist, ICv2's Guide, No Flying No Tights, and Good Comics for Kids and also writes booktalks and creates recommended reading lists for Ebsco's NoveList database. Currently she is working on her first books, a nonfiction series for teens.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

January 2023

Andy Warner's Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

January 2023

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

September 2022

History Comics: The Roanoke Colony | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

September 2022

Batman's Mystery Casebook | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

One Star Review, Guess Who? (#184)

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Review of the Day – Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves by Sally M. Walker, ill. Angela McKay

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Review: Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Here Be Monsters: On Horror, Catharsis, and Uneasy Truces with Yourself, a guest post by author Rebecca Mahoney

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

The Comics of COVID | Stellar Panels

SLJ Debuts New Column “Mondo Manga”

More and More Manga: An Updated Primer on Japanese Comic Books and Graphic Novels

12 Graphic Novel Series Updates for Young Readers

'Himawari House' Wins 2022 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023