Benny and Penny in Lost and Found! (Toon Books Level 2)

K-Gr 2--In their newest adventure, Penny finds her brother Benny sulking on the front stoop. Benny has lost his favorite hat and has been kicked outside by their mother for being in such a bad mood. Angry at his mother and his misplaced hat, Benny decides to run away from home and try to find his missing hat, with Penny's assistance. Benny insists on leading the way because he's older, but soon gets lost himself; only after Benny calms down can he and Penny find their way back. The text is easily accessible to emerging readers, with simple, repeating words, while also enforcing ideas about controlling emotions and being responsible for one's actions without being overbearing. Children will easily relate to Penny and Benny as they grapple with sibling issues that are very real to this age group. The crafty charm of Hayes's illustrations gives the book a timeless feel, while sleek panel variation and swooping action shots reestablish readers's focus. Once again, Hayes has created a graphic novel that is inviting, relatable, but, most importantly, fun.--Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Texas Library Association Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List 2016

"The text is easily accessible to young readers, with simple, repeating words, but also enforces ideas about controlling emotions and being responsible for one's actions without being over-bearing. Children will easily relate to Penny and Benny as they grapple with sibling issues that are very real to this age group. The crafty charm of Hayes's illustrations gives the book a timeless feel, while sleek panel variation and swooping action shots reestablish readers's focus. Once again, Hayes has created a graphic novel that is inviting, relatable, but, most importantly, fun." - School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

"Hayes takes the opportunity to explore preschoolers' mercurial emotions [...] These sweet sibs show no signs of growing old—thank goodness." - Kirkus Reviews

"This early reader comic is not only deeply meaningful for children, but also for adults." - Diamond Bookshelf

"With four delightful Benny and Penny titles already gallivanting around out there, Hayes' work is a prime example of TOON's high-level product...Hayes, as always, strikes exactly the right balance, allowing his characters to be both moody and reasonable, scared and courageous, appealing to young readers both as surrogates and role models. His art similarly hits the sweet spot dead-on, with mysterious shapes that are never too menacing, rounded and soothingly furry figures, and delicately rendered backgrounds filled with meticulous detail. His warmly classical picture-book technique never fails to be both animated and engaging as well." - Booklist

"Toon Books is a great resource for parents and educators that want to get more graphic novels into their little ones' lives...Quality creators making quality comics...[Benny and Penny in Lost & Found!] handles emotions - Benny experiences all sorts of moods in the course of the story, and kids will see how he deals with each mood change. They'll be able to appreciate and identify with Benny, because honestly, what's more annoying than misplacing something you really like/want/need?" - What'cha Reading?