The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Crazy Critter Race

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 13, 2015

Review

I had no trouble following the action of this graphic novel despite never having read another in the series. With its all-cap typeface and simple dialogue, this book is good for elementary readers. The color palette is black & white with accents in yellow and gray and is appealing and clear. The book offers humor, cute animals, a race, and a slight-mystery; all elements that propel the story. Ace and Bub are beavers and they enter a contest that sounds too good to be true (it is) sponsored by Crazy Critter. The winner of the race to plant seeds all over the surrounding islands gets a free houseboat, and Ace and Bub could really use a new, sturdier house. The duo is doing well when they discover that the seeds are not growing healthy trees, but invasive choke vines, which would force all of the animals off the land and into a newly-purchased houseboat (sold by none other than Crazy Critter). They race, instead, to alert the other contestants and finally save the day with their beaver choppers. This is a cute story with adorable characters and an ending that promises more adventures for these snarky beavers. Recommend for public and school libraries with elementary graphic novel sections.

Overall Book Score: good