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CM . . .
. Volume XX Number 9. . . .November 1, 2013
excerpt:
Binky the Space Cat is back in Ashley Spires� final installment of the �Binky Adventure� series with his partner in crime, Gracie, and their new recruit, Gordie the dog. It�s no longer aliens they�re worried about, but their humans leaving them at the pet hotel! What if they leave them behind and don�t come back for them? Binky, as always, devises a plan to escape from the pet hotel, which is secretly a vet clinic. He and Gracie are together, but Gordie is with the dogs. How will he let Gordie know? It�s a good thing that Gordie passes by their cages every time the dogs go out for their exercise. Binky manages to pass Gordie a piece of paper with his plan on it. Gordie�s response? Crack the combination code on their cage. But what happens when they finally escape? Especially when something evil is happening?
This easy-to-read graphic novel will continue to be an enjoyment for children who loved the earlier books in the �Binky Adventure� series. The simple panel layout, succinct text, and use of very few colours will ultimately draw many young readers� attention. A great read for young readers, reluctant readers, and family read-alouds, I highly recommend this new Binky adventure. Highly Recommended. Alicia Cheng is a Children�s Librarian at the Vancouver Public Library in Vancouver, BC.
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In my opinion, this installment, dealing with anxiety over possible loss, felt more serious than the other books in the �Binky Adventure� graphic novel series. Spires brings readers a different side of Binky who is overcome with worry that her humans will abandon her. Binky is more emotional in this book, and readers see a deeper portrayal of Binky beyond her tactics and humour. While I did not have �laugh-out-loud� moments, I enjoyed seeing this side of Binky that I had not previously seen. And, of course, the watercolour illustrations with a limited colour scheme continue to feature in this graphic novel. The use of very little colour helps to draw the reader�s attention to important details in the plotline.