Bink & Gollie: Two for One
By Patricia Tauzer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Friendship strengthens in fun, tender graphic novel sequel.
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What's the Story?
The two best friends are at it again in this second of the Bink and Gollie series. Short and bouncy, Bink spins with energy, while tall, lanky Gollie is her quiet, more artistic sidekick. Like the first book, BINK AND GOLLIE: TWO FOR ONE might be called a beginner's graphic novel. Three chapters, minimal text, and fantastically expressive and lively cartoon-like illustrations tell the story of the girls' misadventures at the state fair. Bink tries to win a mammoth donut, Gollie tries to show how special she is in an amateur talent show, and they both question destiny as Madame Prunely stares into her crystal ball. Lessons are learned at every turn, but the most important one of all is that having each other as a friend is about all the future they need to know.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel has many of the same lovable aspects as Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee's first Bink & Gollie book. Kids who liked that book definitely will like this one. And they'll enjoy seeing the girls' friendship grow even stronger. While young kids may be a little confused by the crystal ball episode, they'll definitely see the humor, and then disappointment and tenderness, in the other two stories.
The format is simple: It's a story told in three parts, all very pertinent to kids in the early grades, with minimal text and fantastically expressive illustrations by animator Tony Fucile. His uses bits of color splashed here and there amid computer-generated thin-lined sketches to fill out the story, which makes readers want to stop and cruise around each page. This is a fun series, sure to have at least a few more follow-up adventures.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about graphic novels. Do you find that the illustrations tell as much story as the words? Are graphic novels more fun to read than stories without illustrations?
What do you think about Bink's experience at the Whack-a-Duck booth. Do you think she came up with a good solution? Have you ever tried to win the giant prize at a carnival booth? What happened?
Have you ever known how to do something well ... until you step in front of a crowd and freeze, like what happens to Gollie ? How does Bink help her out? What does that show about their friendship?
Book Details
- Authors: Kate DiCamillo, Alison McGhee
- Illustrator: Tony Fucile
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: June 12, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 10
- Number of pages: 96
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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