Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires

[This review was originally published in 2009 and revised in 2018]

Other cats lounge around all day, doing nothing, empty of purpose. Not Binky. Binky has trained. Binky has prepared. Binky is now...a Space Cat! His mission is to go....Outside. Ordinary cats cannot go Outside. Only Space Cats. All his life, Binky has prepared for this mission; and he has defended his humans from evil aliens, namely, bugs. Now, he is ready for the ultimate mission! Or is he?

The panels are drawn in black, white, and gray with occasional small splashes of color. I admit that I still haven't quite figured out the ears. The deadpan delivery of both the art and text combine to add to the humor.

Why are cats so funny? We don't know. But they are. This book shows that, while ordinary cats are ordinarily funny, space-trained, alien-eating, human-defending, cuddle-loving Space Cats are even funnier!

Binky goes on to star in his own series, with spin-off titles. The years have flown by, but Binky is still funny and a popular choice for beginning chapter readers who like cats and my book club for younger grades.

Revisited: This series continues to be popular and, unlike other graphic novels, Kids Can Press's binding has actually held together for many, many, many circulations! The hardcover is now out of print, but it is available in paperback and prebound editions.

Verdict: Hand this one to kids who like funny stories, cats, or both. If you have a small enough group, it would also make a hilarious read-aloud!

ISBN: 978-1554533091; Published August 2009 by Kids Can Press; Review copy provided by the publisher through Raab Associates; Donated to the library.