children's graphic fiction (2nd-4th grade, or whatever age can already read pretty well and still likes lots of punny jokes). It's also in a series, but doesn't stand as well alone since without an intro the reader might not immediately recognize one pea or bee from another.

Normally I would highly recommend any funny, cartoony book that comes out because almost any kid would devour those by the bucketload, but I have reservations about this one. I had no idea what was happening for the first 5 pages because it wasn't immediately clear that Pea and Bee were the voices being overheard by the various other characters, or even that the voices didn't belong to the other characters pictured. So this could potentially put some newer readers off; there are also some more challenging words that could be stumbling blocks (e.g., Bee's commentary on cremini mushrooms, mycologists, gastropods, etc.). As for older readers... the jokes aren't that funny, so there are definite limits to who this will appeal to. That said, a cartoony appearance is really all some kids want, so they may still like it fine.

Recommended instead: Blue, Barry, and Pancakes series by Dan & Jason. Not only much funnier, more creative, and more readable, but there are extras in the back, such as how to make your own zine and bonus short comics. ( )