Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Even if readers aren't familiar with the Canadian cartoon that spawned this series, these books will immediately draw them in with clever art and storytelling. The opening pages features a double page map of "The Universe According to Binky," breaking down each room in the home and adding character descriptions through the eyes of the obviously ridiculous house pet protagonist. The hilarious narrative makes for a good read-aloud, while still sneaking in educational content. Whether it's teaching the caterpillar life cycle as Binky panics over the changing "alien" in his backyard, or the importance of friendship as Binky's stuffed mouse is left outside, er, in "outer space," readers will walk away with new educational or emotional knowledge. VERDICT An incredibly fun series that hits the sweet spot for kids who are ready to progress past picture books to reading on their own, but still need something visually entertaining with simple words.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Agent Binky, first introduced in the graphic novelBinky 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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.