Two friends, a young rat and mouse, discover how close they really are in this first book in the Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics series Figgy & Boone! Figgy is a mouse and Boone is a rat. Figgy thinks Boone is the best brother ever. Boone says Figgy is more like a cousin. Either way, Figgy and Boone prove that friends can be like family! Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book. PreS-Gr 1-This story sets out to keep things simple for beginning readers, with easy sentences and light text, although it begins with a point of confusion: Figgy and Boone are not technically brothers, as suggested by the title. Figgy is a sweet, perky mouse interested primarily in expressing affection for Boone, his slightly taller, somewhat smarter, bespectacled rat companion. Boone gently points out that they can't be brothers, as they are different species. In Figgy's ensuing search for a sibling, he runs through the ranks of other rodents, eventually stumbling into some high jinks with an exceedingly cute feline nemesis. Finally, Boone must concede that friendship and a common foe bind them as closely as family. As an introduction to the graphic novel format for young readers, Figgy and Boone are compelling leads and great companions, and the story is clear of distractions or complicated imagery. The plot is simple, the action is straightforward, and Trasler's illustrations are just steps away from stick-figure simplicity. That threatens to make it a bit forgettable-the characters' rapport is reminiscent of that found in Mo Willems's "Elephant and Piggie" books without giving the characters definition or energy beyond their basic interactions. This may be an opportunity for later volumes to build on. VERDICT A quick and silly rodent-happy romp, this book provides a fun and funny opportunity for reading practice.-Emilia Packardα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. A mouse grapples with the concepts of brotherhood, species, and family solidarity. . . . A longtime writer for very early readers launches a new series incorporating graphic-novel reading techniques and gentle humor. . . . Figgy’s friend Boone patiently tries to help him understand that they are not brothers. Figgy’s a mouse; Boone is a rat. In spite of their similarities, they’re different species—cousins. . . . Though different, Boone and Figgy are fun foils for each other. . . . Satisfying siblinghood in a promising series starter. (Graphic early reader. 5-7) -- Kirkus Reviews ― 7/15/2022 This story sets out to keep things simple for beginning readers, with easy sentences and light text. . . . As an introduction to the graphic novel format for young readers, Figgy and Boone are compelling leads and great companions, and the story is clear of distractions or complicated imagery. . . . A quick and silly rodent-happy romp, this book provides a fun and funny opportunity for reading practice. -- School Library Journal ― August 2022 Janee Trasler loves to make kids laugh. Whether she’s writing books, drawing pictures, singing songs, or performing with her puppets, nothing makes her happier than hearing that giggle! Janee lives in Texas with her sweetie-pie husband, John, their two dogs, a big ol’ pile of puppets, and one very squeaky guinea pig.