School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

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

ALA Booklist (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

With four delightful Benny and Penny titles already gallivanting around out there, Hayes' work is a prime example of TOON's high-­level product. Benny and Penny themselves have contended with sibling dynamics, ruthless destroyers of toys, bedtime, and rule breaking, and the rodent brother and sister must now undertake a hunt for a missing pirate cap. Waylaid by her frustrated older brother into assisting on a search through the fog, Penny predicts trouble and is proven right when looming shadows and a lost path create a need for calm heads and cooperation. 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.

Horn Book

Benny and Penny set off in search of Benny's lost pirate hat. The fog makes familiar parts of the yard seem threatening, but the story ends happily with the mice safely back home and the pirate hat located. Like the others in the series, the graphic novel works well for emergent readers with its clear plot, childlike emotions, soft illustrations, and simple language.