By Chris Wilson
Editor-in-Geek
Author & Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 64
Color: Full color
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-309-1
STORY SYNOPSIS
Cat lovers rejoice in the delicate and genial nature of BINKY THE SPACE CAT, a feline whose imagination is larger than his heart and body. Binky lives in a space station (house) surrounded by deep dark space (sky and yard), fights off killer aliens (flies and gnats), and he completes research on his mission (sleeps on papers and near the computer).
Binky is, don’t you know, a Space Cat certified by Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (F.U.R.S.T.) and he spends his time building a rocket ship and readies for take off, but in the end he cannot leave his humans because they need him. He stays behind, letting the rocket ship blast off unmanned, in order to protect his people from any potential alien invasions.
REVIEW
BINKY THE SPACE CAT really isn’t about a space at all. It is about our love of our pets and how we attached human-like qualities to our friends. Anyone who has pets will swear to the fact that these four-legged creatures believe they are people. It is our deepest affection for our purring friends that BINKY taps into and sweetly caresses.
He is adorable, that black and white cat. His child-like innocence and caring for his humans is adorable and gives outlet to those who express love of pets easier than love of people. Those kids who treasure their cats will pet the corners right off the book.
ART REVIEW
A muted color palette and watercolor qualities make BINKY soft and easily accessible to young children.
AGE RECOMMENDATION
Chris’ Rating: Ages 7 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 7 to 10
There are no scary moments, no tension, no dark scenes of evil forces. BINKY is lighthearted and kind and solid for the youngest of readers.
IN THE CLASSROOM
BINKY would make a wonderful read aloud for young kids. It would also make a great foundation for kids creating their own stories about animals. BINKY gives rise to voice and style as the reader can see the difference between how Binky sees the world and how the world really is. Case in point, Binky does not really live in outer space. He thinks he does. He play pretends like kids do. What would their pet play pretend? A collaborative unit with the art teacher could make for interesting comics. The students could write their stories in the classroom (meeting communication arts standards) and then create the art in the art classroom (meeting art standards). What a great display.
CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
Editor-in-Geek
Author & Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 64
Color: Full color
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-309-1
STORY SYNOPSIS
Cat lovers rejoice in the delicate and genial nature of BINKY THE SPACE CAT, a feline whose imagination is larger than his heart and body. Binky lives in a space station (house) surrounded by deep dark space (sky and yard), fights off killer aliens (flies and gnats), and he completes research on his mission (sleeps on papers and near the computer).
Binky is, don’t you know, a Space Cat certified by Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (F.U.R.S.T.) and he spends his time building a rocket ship and readies for take off, but in the end he cannot leave his humans because they need him. He stays behind, letting the rocket ship blast off unmanned, in order to protect his people from any potential alien invasions.
REVIEW
BINKY THE SPACE CAT really isn’t about a space at all. It is about our love of our pets and how we attached human-like qualities to our friends. Anyone who has pets will swear to the fact that these four-legged creatures believe they are people. It is our deepest affection for our purring friends that BINKY taps into and sweetly caresses.
He is adorable, that black and white cat. His child-like innocence and caring for his humans is adorable and gives outlet to those who express love of pets easier than love of people. Those kids who treasure their cats will pet the corners right off the book.
ART REVIEW
A muted color palette and watercolor qualities make BINKY soft and easily accessible to young children.
AGE RECOMMENDATION
Chris’ Rating: Ages 7 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 7 to 10
There are no scary moments, no tension, no dark scenes of evil forces. BINKY is lighthearted and kind and solid for the youngest of readers.
IN THE CLASSROOM
BINKY would make a wonderful read aloud for young kids. It would also make a great foundation for kids creating their own stories about animals. BINKY gives rise to voice and style as the reader can see the difference between how Binky sees the world and how the world really is. Case in point, Binky does not really live in outer space. He thinks he does. He play pretends like kids do. What would their pet play pretend? A collaborative unit with the art teacher could make for interesting comics. The students could write their stories in the classroom (meeting communication arts standards) and then create the art in the art classroom (meeting art standards). What a great display.
CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
No comments:
Post a Comment