Review by Booklist Review
New Yorker contributor Panckeri plies his skills in single-panel cartooning in this debut early reader comic. Two best friends board a riverboat for a leisurely outing--at least, that's Duck's plan. Cat, ever skeptical, is wary. When the cook abandons ship to paddle a seasick performer to shore, the passengers are left without entertainment--or dinner. Unnerved by the hungry side-eye of a family of crocodiles, the friends scramble: Duck puts on a frantic show, while Cat hustles making gumbo. As Duck wilts, the crocs lick their chops, but a steaming pot finally arrives, restoring goodwill. Plump, expressive characters outlined in rounded black lines are filled with a pleasant palette of teals, grays, and warm roses. Clever details add humor and fun--mom croc's visor over her mop of auburn curls, dad croc's gold medallion and polo shirt--and the odd-couple pals are portrayed with distinctive panache: Duck rocks a tiny bowler, while Cat sports a checked scarf. This fun, single-joke tale of the perils of hanging out with hangry folks adds to the pantheon of comic animal pairs--best read after a snack.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cat reluctantly joins chum Duck on a riverboat cruise that turns dire in this early reader graphic novel by Panckeri, making his children's book debut. When the vessel's cook falls ill and the evening's meal and entertainment are canceled, the protagonists are trapped with an increasingly hungry crocodile family who start eyeing their fellow passengers. The bulldog captain initially dismisses the friends' concerns until realizing, in Duck's words, that "we could be dinner, and you would be dessert!" The solution? While Cat heads to the kitchen to whip up a meal, Duck provides emergency entertainment. Just as Duck exhausts her repertoire and the crocs reach for the saltshaker, Cat's culinary creation saves the day, leading to the friends' shared toast, "to not being on the menu." Clear-line illustrations and steady-as-she-goes framings serve as a comic foil to Cat and Duck's mounting panic. Readers with a taste for grim, understated humor should gobble this one up. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Panckeri, a New Yorker cartoonist, makes his children's book debut with this humorous, attractively illustrated early reader graphic novel. Two friends, a very enthusiastic and optimistic Duck and an anxious Cat, board a riverboat dinner cruise led by a crew of dogs with a family of crocodiles. When the dinner is cancelled and the crocodiles get hungry, Duck and Cat have to save themselves, with Duck providing entertainment while Cat cooks up gumbo. What follows is a humorous, if a bit dark, story that could be enjoyed as a read-aloud. The text is a great level for readers moving up from series like Mo Willems's "Elephant and Piggie," as there are only a few short sentences per page. The accessibility of the text doesn't take away from the plot, which is driven by humor and expressive art. The visuals will keep readers engaged and provide helpful context clues that aid in following the narrative. Young readers will build visual information skills as they explore the details in the boldly drawn, colorful panels. All the characters are distinct in appearance, making the book easy to follow. Readers will wonder what Duck and Cat will be up to next. VERDICT A must have addition to the growing selection of early reader graphic novels. Give to fans of Sergio Ruzzier's "Fox & Chick" series.--Taylor Skorski
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
InNew Yorker cartoonist Panckeri's children's book debut, a high-seas dinner theater goes awry. On a perfect day, when the sun is shining and the ice cream is sweet, friends Duck and Cat spot a riverboat in the harbor. At Duck's urging, the reluctant Cat joins his pal for a dinner cruise with live music. Alas, due to illness, the cook and the performer both take off. This would be less of a problem were it not for the hungry crocodiles also aboard who are now eyeing Cat and Duck as dinner substitutes. Fortunately, creativity and quick thinking turn our intrepid heroes into the cook and theatrical entertainment everyone requires. Supremely simple art accompanies a beginner-level text that manages to get quite a bit of humor and whimsy in; both words and images have a strong James Marshall vibe. When requested to do something about the hungry crocs, the captain replies, "I am doing something. Steering this ship. This sounds more like ayou problem than ame problem." And while our heroes' willingness to completely forgive the crocodiles is a bit implausible, as Duck points out to Cat, "You get hangry, too." Crackers, crocodiles, and cut-ups abound in this delightful launch of a new easy-reading series.(Early reader/graphic fiction. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
