Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Space cat Lt. Binky has been tapped for a new assignment: recruit trainer! Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (F.U.R.S.T.) and Captain Gracie are pleased to announce that Lt. Binky is about to get his first recruit to train. Since Binky had to train himself, he knows the importance of a mentor and a well-thought-out training plan. Those aliens (read: flies) won't fight themselves! But when the recruit arrives… Horrors! There's a new diversity program at F.U.R.S.T., and Gordon, a dog, has been assigned to Binky. Binky decides to give it his all. As expected, Gordon falls short. Then Binky discovers the unthinkable: Gordon seems to be leaving coded messages in outer space (that's outside, to humans) for the aliens in his… well, what flies like. He's also disabling alien-zappers and stealing human technology. If they are to prove Gordon is a double agent, Gracie and Binky will need incontrovertible proof! Spires' fourth Binky graphic adventure is as fresh and hysterical as the first. The watercolor graphic panels are as visually appealing as the narration is clever, offering up a little potty humor, a bit of over-the-top adventure-tale parody and a few nifty surprises. Great entertainment for readers big and little whether they are fans already or not. A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. (Graphic novel. 8-12)

ALA Booklist

Binky is now a lieutenant space cat and, as such, he is assigned a new recruit to mold into the best space cat possible (well, second best). But when Binky's charge shows up, not only is he nothing like Binky expects, he might even be a traitor! Binky's fourth adventure is as funny as his previous outings. Though readers new to the series may not get all of jokes, they will laugh along with Binky's devoted fans at the potty humor, the cute brown-and-gray-toned art, and the general silliness. The series remains a must-have for all children's collections.

Horn Book

Binky the flatulent space cat is now lieutenant in charge of training new recruits. His first cadet is Gordon--a dog. While Binky suspects he might be a double agent in the fight against aliens (insects), it turns out Gordie is actually a technological genius. This fourth Binky adventure is silly, deadpan, and perfectly pitched to very young graphic novel readers.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Space cat Lt. Binky has been tapped for a new assignment: recruit trainer! Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (F.U.R.S.T.) and Captain Gracie are pleased to announce that Lt. Binky is about to get his first recruit to train. Since Binky had to train himself, he knows the importance of a mentor and a well-thought-out training plan. Those aliens (read: flies) won't fight themselves! But when the recruit arrives… Horrors! There's a new diversity program at F.U.R.S.T., and Gordon, a dog, has been assigned to Binky. Binky decides to give it his all. As expected, Gordon falls short. Then Binky discovers the unthinkable: Gordon seems to be leaving coded messages in outer space (that's outside, to humans) for the aliens in his… well, what flies like. He's also disabling alien-zappers and stealing human technology. If they are to prove Gordon is a double agent, Gracie and Binky will need incontrovertible proof! Spires' fourth Binky graphic adventure is as fresh and hysterical as the first. The watercolor graphic panels are as visually appealing as the narration is clever, offering up a little potty humor, a bit of over-the-top adventure-tale parody and a few nifty surprises. Great entertainment for readers big and little whether they are fans already or not. A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. (Graphic novel. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

PEIRCE, Lincoln . Big Nate: Here Goes Nothing . illus. by author. 224p. (Big Nate Series). HarperCollins / Harper . 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-20869-9 . LC 2012934240. Gr 3-6 SPIRES, Ashley . Binky Takes Charge . Bk. 4. illus. by author. 64p. (A Binky Adventure). Kids Can . 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-703-7 ; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-768-6 . Gr 14 STILTON, Geronimo . Return of the Vampire . Bk. 4. illus. by Ivan Bigarella and Daria Cerchi. 128p. (Creepella von Cacklefur Series). Scholastic . 2012. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-39348-5 . Gr 24 VENABLE, Colleen AF . Raining Cats and Detectives . Bk. 5. illus. by Stephanie Yue. 48p. (Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye Series). Lerner / Graphic Universe . 2012. PLB $27.93. ISBN 978-0-7613-6008-7 ; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8541-7 . LC 2011021626. Gr 24