Benny and Penny in Just Pretend [Hardcover]

Geoffrey Hayes (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

“[S]weet, delicately colored illustrations have an old-fashioned feel that gives the familiar sibling story a timeless quality…A charmer that will invite repeated readings.” – Booklist (starred review)
 
How can Benny pretend to be a brave pirate when his pesky little sister, Penny, wants to tag along and is always asking for a hug? He tries to lose her, but when he does, he starts to feel a little lost himself. Penny proves her bravery and saves Benny from a bug. They hug as Benny explains he was only pretending she bugged him.
 
Veteran children’s book author and illustrator Geoffrey Hayes returns to his childhood love of comics, bringing unforgettable characters to life. With rare warmth and humor, he insightfully catches the essence of the bonds and tensions that unite siblings.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Hayes successfully combines a comic-book format with effective easy-reader elements to introduce two delightful mouse siblings. Penny, clothed in pale-blue princess regalia, persistently seeks out her older brother's company, though Benny, who is busy playing pirate, brushes her off repeatedly. Finally fed up, Benny calls her a dumb, bad little sister! and she dissolves into tears. After an offstage intercession from Mom, Benny suggests a game of hide-and-seek, hurries Penny into an outdoor storage bin, and tells her to stay put. Time passes without Penny making an appearance. Benny begins to miss her and is relieved when she finally turns up, explaining, I had to go pee-pee! After Penny proves her courage by shooing away a frightening dragonfly, Benny apologizes for his harsh words; the sibs share a huggy and then play pirates together. The simple language, brief sentences, and clean layout–with large text, easy-to-follow sequencing, and an uncluttered design–are appropriate for newly independent readers. The warm-hued panel pictures contain enough detail to provide visual clues and create a sense of place while briskly propelling the action forward. The characters have expressive features that reflect changing emotions, and the sibling relationship is sweetly and realistically portrayed. A fresh and fun choice for beginning readers–especially those discouraged by text-heavy pages–and for sharing aloud.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* Benny the mouse wants to pretend he’s brave Benny the Pirate, and he has a crate that makes a terrific pirate ship. Then his younger sister, Penny, dressed in a princess outfit, arrives, wanting to be a pirate, too. Benny calls her a crybaby, and their disagreement escalates until Benny loses his patience does make Penny cry (“Go away! You are a dumb, bad little sister!”). He eventually agrees to play hide-and-seek, but when Penny hides, Benny rushes off to play pirate without her. Penny doesn’t come out, so Benny looks for her. Later when Penny saves Benny from some ugly bugs, he takes back his cruel words. The sweet, delicately colored illustrations have an old-fashioned feel that gives the familiar sibling story a timeless quality, while the simple yet varied panel arrangement allows even very young children to understand the difference between a comic and a picture book. The text uses a limited but rich vocabulary with sufficient repetition to help with word recognition, and children will easily grasp the message while appreciating Benny’s change of heart at the story’s close. A charmer that will invite repeated readings. Preschool-Grade 1. --Kat Kan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Toon Books (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979923808
• ISBN-13: 978-0979923807
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bestselling author Geoffrey Hayes has written and illustrated over forty children's books, including the extremely popular series of early readers Otto and Uncle Tooth, the classic Bear by Himself, the Patrick Bear books, and When the Wind Blew by Caldecott Medal-winning author Margaret Wise Brown. His TOON Book Benny and Penny in the Big No-No won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to comics for young children, April 16, 2008

By 

Preschool Teacher "Tracy" (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benny and Penny in Just Pretend (Hardcover)

I just used this book for my student this afternoon and it was a great decision. He's 4 years old and was able to read most of the words by himself. He seemed a bit perplexed about the idea of comics (i.e., structure, the amount of visuals, etc) but loved being able to follow the story and couldn't wait to turn the page. The other two toon books (Silly Sally and Otto's Orange Day) will probably be better for a younger child and an older child, respectively. Can't wait for the other three toon books to come out this autumn.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story Teller, April 10, 2008

By 

Robert Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Benny and Penny in Just Pretend (Hardcover)

I have seen a great deal of Geoff Hayes' work; he is a meticulous artist with a special knack for telling stories in images as well as words. His drawings don't just sit there on the page; they have an animated feel to them that shows what is happening in the story. Geoff's stories are always appropriate to children--teaching important values without preaching--in a form that delights the imagination.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming narrative with a subtle message, April 30, 2008

By 

Bill (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benny and Penny in Just Pretend (Hardcover)

I've been a fan of Geoffrey Hayes' books since "Bear By Himself". I've given them regularly as gifts and enjoyed reading them to my nieces, who are now reading them to their children. The narratives are always gentle, but involving, with just enough excitement to keep older children engaged. The whimsical drawings are full of colorful detail and hold up to repeated viewing. (Close scrutiny of the pictures and posters hanging on various walls can be fun for even an adult!) "Benny & Penny" might prove to be particularly useful in those families with sibling issues, as it deftly shatters boy/girl stereotypes and demonstrates the benefits of cooperation and good will. Highly recommended.