Friday, July 23, 2010

Binky to the Rescue: A Mariah and Dad Review

Review by Scott Tingley

Actual conversation from tonight's bedtime:

Dad (me): I've got a new book for us to read tonight.

Mariah (daughter, age 5): It's another Binky book? Yay!

We have the Space one where he always tooted (farted).

Yeah…(sigh)...funny.

Actual comment while reading the book:

Mariah : “Human Litter Room, ” giggle, hahaha….giggle.

Actual comment after reading the book:

Mariah : I really like Binky books.

Dad: What was your favourite part?

Mariah: The tooting. No.....when Binky saves Ted....and the tooting.

Actual synopsis quoted directly from the publisher's website regarding Binky to the Rescue by Ashley Spires :

While in hot pursuit of an alien invader (a bug), Binky accidentally falls out the space station porthole (bathroom window) and finds himself in outer space (outside) for the very first time. But just as Binky begins to explore, he discovers that his copilot, Ted (stuffed mousie), is trapped beneath an enemy warship (wasps' nest)! Binky must rescue Ted from the clutches of these evil aliens. Will he be able to save his best friend? Can Ted survive his ordeal? Does Binky still suffer from space gas? KidsCanPress.com

The art is very nice and there are just enough words. Have you tried reading a comic to your kid at bedtime? Some of them can be very wordy, but Binky to the Rescue , and Binky the Space Cat , contain just the words necessary and will not make you want to hide the book away thus eliminating future readings (don't look at me that way – you know exactly what I am talking about. That Care Bears book that never seems to end didn't just walk away on its own). That isn't to say that the book is an unchallenging “Easy Reader”. The age recommended by the publisher is 7 to 10, but I think some of the vocabulary leans more towards 10 than 7. “Collateral damage”, “relentless pursuit”: great stuff. If you are going to read it to a child, I would get this for aged 3 and up.

Ashley Spires has gone 2 for 2 in the “Can we read it again” category with her two Binky books and my kids and I are eagerly awaiting number three. This one won't be available for you until September 2010. Keep your eyes peeled, or pre-order it here.

Grades: 2 to 5
Ages: 7 to 10

© 2010
4-color • 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 • 64 pages

Hardcover

978-1-55453-502-6

Paperback

978-1-55453-597-2

Hardcover
CAD $16.95

Paperback
CAD $8.95

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