Binky the Space Cat

I'm not a regular reader of graphic novels--as a matter of fact, I'd pick them up only if nothing else is available. (I don't have anything against them, I just find them visually overwhelming for me...) However, this was handed to me by a friend and given the simple format, I thought I'd give it a try. It was so cleverly crafted and so funny, I read it in minutes. A great read particularly for cat lovers, but anyone really could enjoy this book.

We can't wait for Binky's second adventure! This kept my 10 year old daughter, eight year old son and me spellbound for the short duration it took to read it. The illustrations were wonderful and the story was captivating.

Binky is your everyday-variety football-shaped cat who's out to do good, save the world, and keep his humans safe. He also dreams of traveling deep into outer space (which, as he understands it, is the world outside his front door). His dreams start to come true when he finds his application to the Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel at the bottom of a bag of cat food. The aliens Binky must protect the world from are known as bugs to human beings, but Binky can see the truth. He knows that he has an obligation to serve his humans and offer his services in return for food and cuddling. Artist and author Ashley Spires started her career with children's books, but this is her first graphic novel. It's sweet and very funny (as usual in the eternal debate in whether dogs or cats are better, it will help if you like cats already--although that's not absolutely essential), and it seems that Spires is launching Binky into an ongoing series with this book. The content is entirely kid-friendly, of course, and geared toward much younger readers. Older children will enjoy Spires's lovely cartoon drawings, done in hushed shades that are rendered, we are told, in "ink, watercolor, and cat fur." Parents will find a lot to enjoy in the story, too, a good sign in case they are tasked with reading the book over and over again to their young ones. Binky's a typical cat in most other respects, and that makes him pretty lovable and fun to read about (presuming, of course, that you are one of those aforementioned cat people). Either way, this very funny, very charming book (the illustrations are great too) promises to launch a worthy feline into kids' hearts--if not quite into outer space. -- John Hogan

I love this book, my just six year old loves it and my husband loves it. Binky is laugh out loud funny as he protects his humans from the not-so-scary alien invasion. My son reads a bit above his age level and I've had a hard time finding graphic novels that are both age appropriate and that fit his reading level. I hope that we see more of Binky.

This one is a laugh a page. Never mind that we are a cat family and just know some of our kitties think and act like Binky, this book will charm you and give little ones big giggles with Binky's shenanigans, all perfectly targeted for ages 6-10. This graphic novel format is a great way to encourage reading. And beneath all of this wonderful, engaging and fun adventure is the maxim: there's no place like home and family!