Benny and Penny in the Big No-No By: Geoffrey Hayes

Benny and Penny in the Big No-No  By: Geoffrey Hayes

Toon Books; New York

Copy Right; 2009

(Award Winner)

            Benny and Penny are mice brother and sister.  In this adventure they discover they have a new neighbor over the fence and soon after Benny realizes his pail is missing.  While peeking over the fence, Benny falls over into the yard.  Penny is quick to point out that it is a big no-no to go in a yard uninvited.   Defiant, Benny doesn’t care because they stole his pail and he is going to get it back.   That is when a mud sling flight ensues between Benny and the new neighbor girl.  Benny grabs his pail and jumps the fence to his yard.  That is when his sister discovers Benny’s bucket never was taken and laid in the sandbox.   Feeling bad they both climbed back over the fence and explained that why they took the pail and apologized.  They hose the mud off each other and become fast friends. 

            This book was written in graphic novel format. Young kids will really enjoy the delightfully illustrated pages.  It seems appropriate for kindergarten through second grade reading. This book reminded me of Franklin and Author books.  I was strongly reminiscent of a television show called Max & Ruby on Nickelodeon.  My text to self connection I made was growing up with siblings and the back and forth bickering between us.  Children will be able to relate to this story, especially if they have siblings or if they have ever rushed to judgment about someone new.