Peng and Spanners is the first adventure in a fantastic new graphic novel series: an absolute riot of fun and mischief with two new stupendous superheroes that I have no doubt will become firm favourites with young readers.
Peng is looking for adventures far away from his icy home, but is not at all impressed when his parents send him to a boarding school, but perhaps Boredin Boarding School will not be quite as boring as he expects … and that might just have something to do with new friend, Spanners, a clever cat with a toolbelt full of gadgets.
On his first day at school, Peng discovers that his headteacher is on a mission to impress the inspectors: he has built a school pizza restaurant to win the Best School Dinners Award – and there’s free pizza for everyone. And, as everyone knows, free pizza trumps adventure – and boredom! Unless … the pizza parlour goes missing, and then there’s a whole lot of adventure for these two superheroes on a mission.
Can Peng-tastic and Spanners find the thief, and solve the mystery of the missing pizza place, before the school inspectors arrive? There’s just a giant talking robot intent on world-domination, a quick jail break and the need to avoid Cinderella the mop-wielding caretaker standing between success and disaster.
Peng and Spanners are the most wonderful double-act with Peng as the super ninja superhero and Spanners his possible sidey-kick. I loved the misunderstandings, the humour and the banter between this duet duo which brought giggles galore. Whilst Spanners might get a smidgen confused, he is a brilliant inventor who makes fantastic superhero contraptions – even if Peng doesn’t always appreciate them! And my goodness, can he tell a tall tale!
I adored the playfulness of the language from Spanners use of incorrect superhero names (hilarious – I’m still smiling at Soupman and the Incredible Sulk), Peng’s sarcasm and direct address to the reader, and the double trouble ‘We are here to judge you’ inspectors. And then, there’s Botty – guaranteed giggles. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a draw with Peng and Spanners. I just won’t mention the pizza toppings page – urgh!
I loved both the vivid full-colour illustrations throughout – which complement the energy and humour of the adventure – as well as the layout and fonts which I have no doubt will appeal to young readers.
A fantastic, fun-filled feast of wackiness that is sure to hook young readers who I have no doubt will keep coming back for more as they wait for the next adventure in Peng and Spanners Meet Mr Big.
Thank you so much to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for this brilliant graphic novel, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:
Book Craic 
This sounds like a wonderful book to hook children on reading. Your review really brings the sense of enjoyment to the fore Mary 😊
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It’s brilliant and was quickly snapped up by children in my class.
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