Binky the Space Cat

( 1 )

Overview

Binky is a space cat - at least in his own mind. He's really a house cat who has never left the family "space station." Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: to blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs). Binky must undergo rigorous training so he can repel the alien attacks that threaten his humans. As he builds his spaceship, he must be extremely careful with his blueprints - the enemy is always watching. Soon Binky is ready to voyage into outer ...
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Overview

Binky is a space cat - at least in his own mind. He's really a house cat who has never left the family "space station." Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: to blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs). Binky must undergo rigorous training so he can repel the alien attacks that threaten his humans. As he builds his spaceship, he must be extremely careful with his blueprints - the enemy is always watching. Soon Binky is ready to voyage into outer space. His humans go out there every day and he's sure they need a certified space cat to protect them. But just as he's about to blast off with his co-pilot, Ted (stuffed mousie), Binky realizes that he's left something very important behind ? and it's not the zero-gravity kitty litter. In the first book in the Binky Adventure series, graphic-novel readers will delight in watching where this lovable and quirky cat's imagination takes him.
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
Spires’s mix of sly, dry and slapstick humor in her first graphic novel is perfect.

Spires’s mix of sly, dry and slapstick humor in her first graphic novel is perfect.

With plenty of visual gags and a cute hero, this book is perfect for kids who are transitioning from easy readers to early chapter books, while the dry humor will also keep stronger readers engaged.

With plenty of visual gags and a cute hero, this book is perfect for kids who are transitioning from easy readers to early chapter books, while the dry humor will also keep stronger readers engaged.

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
When Binky, an odd-looking imaginative cat, receives his long-awaited certification as a space cat, he can hardly wait to blast off. He has never been outside the house, which he calls his space station, fearing the lack of air and gravity outside. He also feels that he must protect his human family from "aliens," which is what he has decided bugs are. Binky determines to build a rocket ship. His efforts, and the humorous story itself, evolve in graphic novel-style boxes of varying sizes. But when his rocket is ready to blast off, he cannot leave his humans behind and nobly postpones his dream. Fortunately, he is there to save them from an "alien" fly. The next task for the self-important cat is a bigger rocket ship! Spires uses ink and watercolors primarily in gray tones with accents of black, ochre, and red for the cartoon style. The all upper-case text is in the form of captions, but there are frequent sound effects that enliven the story. It would seem that there are more amusing fantasy tales of the intrepid cat to come. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4–The humor in this graphic novel hits every note: there are pratfalls and funny expressions, but readers will also appreciate the author’s dry wit as a sheltered housecat trains for his big adventure in outer space. Binky, who thinks insects are aliens because they have big eyes and can fly, builds a rocket ship in his litter box out of household items, but then decides that he cannot abandon his beloved humans. Loads of onomatopoeia but relatively little text on each page make this a satisfying choice for early-chapter-book readers. Page layouts are varied yet consistently easy to follow. A palette of rich grays with accents of brighter colors gives the book a sophisticated look. Sweet and clever, and for those kids who disdain sweet and clever, there is also farting.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD
Kirkus Reviews
Pudgy black-and-white kitty Binky lives on a space station, where, like any good member of F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel), he protects his two humans from aliens. Binky's humans call the aliens "bugs," and the space station resembles a house in the suburbs, but Binky is dedicated nonetheless. He's so committed that while collecting parts to build his rocket ship, he trains hard. He trains on the flight simulator (ceiling fan). He trains in the zero-gravity chamber (clothes drier). When his rocket is complete, the countdown starts . . . but he's forgotten to make room for his humans! What's a space cat to do? Spires's mix of sly, dry and slapstick humor in her first graphic novel is perfect. Binky's imaginings are differentiated from his actual life by the borders of the panels, and the solemn narration leaves lots of room for ironic contrast with the images. Details in the muted watercolor illustrations, like mousie Ted covering his nose as Binky releases "space gas," will keep readers of all ages giggling, whether they're cat lovers or not. (Graphic fiction. 6-10)
Booklist
With plenty of visual gags and a cute hero, this book is perfect for kids who are transitioning from easy readers to early chapter books, while the dry humor will also keep stronger readers engaged.
Quill & Quire
... Binky’s misadventures are a delight.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781554534197
  • Publisher: Kids Can Press, Limited
  • Publication date: 8/1/2009
  • Series: A Binky Adventure Series
  • Pages: 64
  • Sales rank: 264,914
  • Age range: 7 - 10 Years
  • Lexile: GN740L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 6.30 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.20 (d)

Meet the Author

Ashley Spires grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the supposed stomping grounds of Bigfoot. She is the author and illustrator of a number of books for children, including Small Saul and the Adventures of Binky the Space Cat. She was the recipient of the 2011 Silver Birch Express Award and the 2011 Hackmatack Award for Binky the Space Cat and was shortlisted for a Joe Shuster Comics for Kids Award and an Eisner Award for Binky Under Pressure. Ashley currently lives in the wilds of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Ashley Spires grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the supposed stomping grounds of Bigfoot. She is the author and illustrator of a number of books for children, including Small Saul and the Adventures of Binky the Space Cat. She was the recipient of the 2011 Silver Birch Express Award and the 2011 Hackmatack Award for Binky the Space Cat and was shortlisted for a Joe Shuster Comics for Kids Award and an Eisner Award for Binky Under Pressure. Ashley currently lives in the wilds of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Posted April 29, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Would make a great read-aloud for younger kids

    I found "Binky the Space Cat" when searching at my library for a children's book on cats (of which there are many). As someone who enjoys both children's books and cats, I was surprised I had never heard of Binky, so I found him on the shelf (after asking where one might find the Juvenile Graphic Novel section of the library to begin with). Binky is a cute and funny story about a cat who joins "F.U.R.S.T." (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel). Since he is now "Space Cat qualified," Binky works hard to protect his family from aliens (which are really just bugs). The pictures are funny and kids should enjoy them. The humor seems right in line with children and adults alike. I admit it: I snickered at Binky's toots. The story moves along quickly and the pictures should keep young readers interested. As a preschool teacher, I think my students would like Binky.

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