Brian "Smitty" Smith

children's graphic fiction (2nd-4th grade, or whatever age can already read pretty well and still likes lots of punny jokes). It's also in a series, but doesn't stand as well alone since without an intro the reader might not immediately recognize one pea or bee from another.

Normally I would highly recommend any funny, cartoony book that comes out because almost any kid would devour those by the bucketload, but I have reservations about this one. I had no idea what was happening for the first show more 5 pages because it wasn't immediately clear that Pea and Bee were the voices being overheard by the various other characters, or even that the voices didn't belong to the other characters pictured. So this could potentially put some newer readers off; there are also some more challenging words that could be stumbling blocks (e.g., Bee's commentary on cremini mushrooms, mycologists, gastropods, etc.). As for older readers... the jokes aren't that funny, so there are definite limits to who this will appeal to. That said, a cartoony appearance is really all some kids want, so they may still like it fine.

Recommended instead: Blue, Barry, and Pancakes series by Dan & Jason. Not only much funnier, more creative, and more readable, but there are extras in the back, such as how to make your own zine and bonus short comics. show less

I think the message got a little muddied, but it still focuses on trying to be a friend when you can. Also, that most bullies have been bullied themselves. But helping a bully isn't the cure-all for being bullied. I don't think the story was saying that either, but kids could interpret it that way. some people will just never like, whether you extend help to them in a time of need or not. But Jay could discern deep down Pumpkin was actually cruel.

Gr 2–4—A rebellious pea rolls away from the familiarity of his farm on a dare and gets lost, finding help from a
bespectacled, know-it-all honeybee and a blue jay who's a nervous flier. Smith infuses his gentle tale of friendship
with wordplay, a sense of the absurd, and a smattering of the subversive.

This was a fun, nautical cop comedy. I liked the humor and the art style was perfect. But be aware: it’s aggressively punny!