Benny and Penny: In Just Pretend By Geoffrey Hayes

This book is a great graphic novel for younger readers. I would recommend it for students in first-forth grade. The illustrations on the cover let the reader know right away that the genre is different then the standard picture book. I found the end paper to be an unusual choice because the design was more formal then the book. However, the character in the pattern was also on the cover page to match. The novel is told through multiple "word bubbles." I really enjoyed reading the conversations between the brother and sister through the "word bubbles." I think that the reader has to know how to be logical about order when reading the story. In most cases the bubble on top of each box starts the conversation, so it is clear where to begin reading. The illustrations are done in colored pencil and is outlined in black. What makes the images interesting is their layouts on each page. The images are different sizes and are in box form. The illustrations are full of motion which makes that "boxiness" seem like the story is more fluid then what it actually is. While reading there are some words in bold print that allow for the reader to emphasis their purpose. The illustrator makes a clear distinction, usually for the reader to understand the difference between what the characters are saying, verses thinking. The distinction is made clear by the type of "word bubble." After reading this story to a group of elementary students, I could have each child make a short story that also relates to their siblings or any other similar stories to that of Benny and Penny.