Zig and Wikki in Something Ate My Homework (Toon Books Level 3)

While Zig (a young alien child) and Wikki (a walking computer) are out flying their spaceship, Zig gets a call from his teacher reminding him that his homework is late, again. Zig must find a pet for the class zoo, and his teacher warns him to not take Wikki with him since the two of them always get into mischief. Despite that, the two friends land on planet Earth in search of a pet. During their adventure, they learn about how the food chain operates, until Zig accidentally uses his shrink ray on Wikki instead of a raccoon. Each time they find a potential pet, Wikki's built-in computer screen flashes with a photographed image of the animal, as the book mixes appealing cartooning with informational Wikki's Fun Facts about animals. Ages 4-8. "(Apr.)" Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

K-Gr 2—nother gem from Toon. In this one, aliens Zig and Wikki set out to catch a specimen for their homework assignment. Zig is the somewhat sensible, one-eyed one and Wikki is a fearless computer-screen being. They land on planet Earth and encounter all sorts of creatures: flies, dragonflies, frogs, and raccoons. When they encounter each rarity, Wikki's computer-screen body pops up with a different science fact, effortlessly weaving educational information into the narrative. The story and pictures remain comedic and the paneling keeps the plot moving. Kids will love this one.—"Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT" Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.