The mouse siblings return for another stellar beginning reader adventure. When little sister Penny helps Benny search for his missing pirate hat, they both get lost and eventually find their way home.
"Mommy says I have to stay outside until I'm in a good mood," Benny tells Penny, visibly upset at the loss of his pirate hat. Penny responds helpfully, "Mommy says, 'When you lose something... think of the last place you had it,' " which only makes Benny more upset. "Who cares what she says," he replies. When Benny asks Penny to help him find his hat, her expression telegraphs her delight. But after several seemingly dangerous close calls, Penny has a mini-breakdown ("I'm tired," says she, "I miss Mommy"). This brings out the responsible side of big brother Benny, who leads them home. "Mommy says, 'If you get lost, always go back the way you came,' " Penny says helpfully, and this time, Benny is able to heed his mother's advice.
Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny in Just Pretend) strikes the right balance between comics-style panels and words that novice readers can figure out by sounding them out or by using visual clues he provides. He also taps into the emotional life of young children through Benny and Penny's interactions, getting the dynamics down with precision and authenticity. Although we never see their mother, readers feel her guiding presence and wisdom (she helps locate Benny's pirate hat). Here's hoping for more from this loving mouse family. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness