Benny and Penny: Just Pretend (2008)

Extraordinarily cute depictions of typical sibling problems-but it's sweeter with mice! A quick read with simple vocabulary for young readers and issues any kid can identify with. Parents will enjoy this as well and certainly recognize their own children in this series. ( )

Not quite as good as the second Benny and Penny book; I think Hayes was smart to get rid of the authorial directions that are at the beginning and end of this title. The sibling interactions are definitely true to life, although I'm not a huge fan of Benny calling a Penny a cry-baby (which seems like it may be a recurring theme through the series). The illustrations look like they're done in colored pencil to me, although there's no note to confirm that. There's a softness to the style and color choices that give the illustrations a somewhat old-fashioned feel that adds to their appeal. An excellent choice for early readers, although I gravitate towards a little goofier, more broadly humorous titles myself. ( )

A graphic novel for the younger set, this sweet book will appeal to kindergarten and first graders. Anyone with younger siblings can relate to the plot. The illustrations and simple repeated text move the story along. This is part of a series including Benny and Penny and the Toy Breaker and Benny and Penny and the Big No No. These will work well for struggling readers and students ready but reluctant to move into chapter books. My library includes several Toon Books that are popular with my students. I can't wait to share these also. ( )

A siblings story about playing with each other. I love the part when the little sister wants to "huggy". The illustrations are beautiful. I think my favorite picture is when he is going around looking for penny in different areas and can not find her. When he finds her in a place he looked at he goes I looked in there and she goes I needed to go peepee. Oh my gosh one of my favorite lines in that book. Very fun and cute.

Brother and sister mice, Benny and Penny, spend a day arguing and playing make-believe. They cover issues that many siblings face, like getting annoyed with one another, calling each other names, and butting into each others' games, but in the end they come to appreciate each other and play nice. This graphic novel/picture book is available online with a "Read to Me" feature that allows kids ages 4-6 to read it on their own. The cartoony illustrations are done with muted, natural colors, but they spring to life on each page. ( )