I received this book via the publisher, Graphix. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Banana Fox and the Secret Sour Society by James Kochalka Series: Banana Fox #1
Published by Graphix on 2021-02-02
Length: 80 pages
Reviewing Hardcover Rating:
The great detective Banana Fox is called back to duty to find a missing turtle. But the deeper he digs, the more he discovers, and it's worse than he thought! The Secret Sour Society is back, and they're mixing up a bunch of trouble. Can Banana Fox and his sidekick, Flashlight, put an end to the Secret Sour Society once and for all?
A humorous mystery! Banana Fox and the Secret Sour Society by James Kochalka is the first in a graphic novel series for kids featuring the yellow, banana smoothie loving fox and his sidekick Flashlight. In this installment, Banana Fox is asked to solve the mystery of a missing turtle. The evidence is limited but quickly points to his nemesis Sour Grapes, but how can that be if he is in jail?
I really enjoyed this one. Banana Fox is a retired detective hero. After putting his nemesis in jail, B.F., as his friends know him, is working in a smoothie shop, enjoying all the paid smoothies he can get and about to attend the first meeting of the Banana Fox Fan Club when he meets a fellow detective he mistakenly calls Flashlight. B.F. is a quirky character who is quick to jump to conclusions when the evidence is pointing elsewhere. Children will laugh at his antics and pick up on the fact that the real detective is Flashlight.
The paneling for this graphic novel is spot on. Easy to read, bold lettering and action packed panels move the story along while keeping the reader engaged. Broken up into short chapters, this makes it appealing to both newly independent and early readers alike. The illustrations are bright and colorful, adding to the story rather than distracting from it.
Final Thought: A laugh out loud mystery, Banana Fox and the Secret Sour Society will leave kids begging for one more chapter as they discover whodunit and new friendships.
I received this book via the publisher, Graphix. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Banana Fox and the Book-Eating Robot by James Kochalka Series: Banana Fox #2
Published by Graphix on 2021-11-02
Length: 80 pages
Reviewing ARC Rating:
Booie Hoo!
Banana Fox's late fees have landed him in library jail! And when a familiar foe is found around town and a giant book-eating robot is unleashed, it looks like Flashlight and William need to step in to save the day. The junior detectives put their heads together, but when their investigation runs cold, an unlikely hero emerges and proves his own sleuthing skills! But without Banana Fox's help, can the trio put Sour Grapes Jr. behind bars for good?
An entertaining sequel! Banana Fox and the Book-Eating Robot by James Kochalka is the sophomore novel in the Banana Fox graphic series. In this installment, Flashlight teams up with William to save Banana Fox from library jail and the clutches of Sour Grape Junior. With Sour Grape Junior too young to be in prison, the son of B.F.’s nemesis is now “cleaning up” his act by working at the local library. Unfortunately for our yellow fox, the sour kid claims he owes a large fine and because he is now the bad guy is going to jail. It’s up to Flashlight, William and Tur-Tur to solve the case.
This series is really fun. Banana Fox is a quirky character that is quick to jump to conclusions, resulting in some hilarious missteps. Flashlight is the real detective of the bunch, and she is good at spotting clues. While this one is a bit shorter than the first, kids will find B.F. funny and ask to keep reading to solve the mystery.
Colorful panels and easy-to-read bold type will give early independent readers the confidence they need to become lifelong readers. The artwork in each panel is detailed with little spilling over from one panel to the next. Shorter chapters give younger readers easily defined stopping points at just the right length.
Final Thought: A fun mystery with a friend to rescue, Banana Fox and the Book-Eating Robot is sure to catch the attention of even the most reluctant of readers.
About James Kochalka
JAMES KOCHALKA is, without question, one of the most unique and prolific alternative cartoonists working in America today. His comics have been published internationally by almost every alternative comics publisher; he's recorded several music albums under the name James Kochalka Superstar (making him a favorite at college radio stations across the country); and he's developed animated cartoons for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Hangover.
He is the first official Cartoonist Laureate of the state of Vermont, appointed in 2011.
Among his best known works are the Monkey vs Robot series, the superpowered frathouse comedy SuperF*ckers, the beloved Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher series for children, and his magnum opus, the decade-plus span of daily diary comics known as American Elf. James lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife Amy, their two sons, and their cats, all of whom appear frequently in his comics.
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