(3) 1-3 Burt, an affable ten-lined June beetle (aka watermelon beetle), stars in this graphic novel/information book hybrid. Spires's easy-to-decode text and cartoon art relates how Burt finds his purpose, while delivering a few facts about June beetles, some other insects, and spiders along the way. An off-stage narrator emphasizes what June beetles can't do--climb walls, move quickly, fly effectively--while sharing other creatures' "superpowers" (ants: strength, some termites: "paralyzing venom"). Burt starts to believe the narrator's negative talk until his own attributes (heaviness, stickiness) and hugging skills save the day. A final spread offers a few "Super Facts" about six insects. Funny and informative.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 P.U.R.S.T. Adventure series. Agent Gordon, introduced in Spires's Binky series, finds himself in charge during an "alien" (read: insect) invasion that has other agents of P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) immobilized or captured. Fighting against his canine distractibility, Gordon turns to time travel--a dangerous if ultimately effective solution. This episode in the new-reader graphic-novel series has its characteristic deadpan tone, scatological humor, and high-stakes plot.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Lou is left out when her friends play pirate up in a tree: she would prefer "a NOT-UP-A-TREE game." Lou invents excuses but eventually decides to try climbing; though (refreshingly) Lou doesn't succeed, she persists. Lou's character displays an impressive but still realistic emotional depth, and Spires's digital illustrations with speech bubbles depict this multicultural group of friends with imagination and thoughtfulness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Between ballet lessons, debate club, and so on, chickadee Andrew has overscheduled himself. (Interestingly, his parents don't appear in this story.) The result? Exhaustion, diluted performance, and confusion ("He danced his way through debate club. He argued his way through karate"). This cautionary tale is tailor-made for terrific visual gags, and Spires doesn't disappoint (e.g., Andrew's face-plant is hilarious).

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 After years of desk work, Sergeant Fluffy Vandermere, a grumpy-faced cat, finds himself back on the battlefield when alien combatants, a.k.a. insects, mount an attack. In this offshoot of Spires's Binky series, the somber-colored corporate setting and deadpan narration is juxtaposed with the characters' animal natures to great effect. Clean illustrations, block text, and litter-box jokes make this graphic novel accessible for readers new to the format.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 A determined little girl sets out to create "the most MAGNIFICENT thing." Using small metal parts and tools, she struggles to make her creations match the elaborate plan in her head and becomes increasingly frustrated with each attempt. A walk offers fresh perspective. The digital illustrations are mildly entertaining, as is the meandering text.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 1-3 Binky Adventure series. When their humans go on vacation, Binky, Gracie, and Gordon are left at the pet hotel (a.k.a. the vet). While trying to escape, they encounter Professor Tuffy, who, after joining forces with the aliens (a.k.a. bugs), has evil plans and a secret weapon for overtaking humans. Dependent on previous installments, Binky's latest adventure will please fans of this offbeat early-graphic-novel series.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Larf believes that he's the world's only sasquatch until he learns that one is making an appearance in a nearby town; his disillusionment (it turns out to be a man in a costume) is short-lived thanks to another surprise. While the writing and art verge on self-consciously quirky, it's impossible to dislike this neurotic gentle creature who jogs, gardens, and has a pet bunny.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Binky the flatulent space cat is now lieutenant in charge of training new recruits. His first cadet is Gordon--a dog. While Binky suspects he might be a double agent in the fight against aliens (insects), it turns out Gordie is actually a technological genius. This fourth Binky adventure is silly, deadpan, and perfectly pitched to very young graphic novel readers.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) K-3 Cheerful, thoughtful Small Saul loves the sea--but he's too short for the Navy. He devotes his talents to the pirates, who throw this pint-sized hero overboard before sheepishly rescuing him. The case for individuality is clear without being pedantic, while ink and watercolor illustrations highlight the comical juxtaposition of clean Saul and the less-tidy buccaneers.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) 1-3 Binky, the accident-prone "space cat," is shaken when Gracie, a perfect foster cat, is brought into his space station (a.k.a. home). Fearing replacement (or worse, an alien invasion), Binky goes undercover only to discover Gracie is--gulp--his Space Boss. This graphic novel series for very young readers continues to be entertaining.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 1-3 In his second adventure, house-cat Binky (Binky the Space Cat), chasing alien invaders (bugs), falls out the window and lands in "outer space" (the yard). Under threat of an enemy warship (wasp nest), Binky must rescue his stuffed toy. In this graphic novel, very young readers will continue to find lots of humor in Binky's offbeat imaginary antics.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 1-3 Binky, a pet cat with pointy ears and tiny eyes that convey his every emotion, thinks he's "Space Cat qualified" though he's never even ventured outdoors. He also builds a rocket ship to protect his humans from alien invaders (i.e., bugs). Spires uses the graphic novel format to good effect, building the story with giggle-inducing illustrations and just enough text to challenge young readers.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister