View source for Zoe and Beans: Where Is Binky Boo? by Chloe Inkpen and Mick Inkpen

{{infobox2
|title=Zoe and Beans: Where Is Binky Boo?
|author=Chloe Inkpen and Mick Inkpen
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A funny and sweet tale of a girl, her dog, and their dolls. With clear and engaging writing, plus excellent illustrations, it's warmly recommended by Bookbag.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-0230748453
|pages=32
|publisher=Macmillan
|date=January 2011
|aznuk=0230748457
|aznus=0230748457
|cover=0230748457
|website=http://authorpages.hoddersystems.com/MickInkpen/first.asp}}

Zoe is a bit miffed with Beans: he keeps gnawing her doll, Molly. Beans misses his own doll, Binky Boo, so being just a dog he has no compunction about appropriating someone else's doll for his very own. When Molly ends up stinkier than anything, she goes into the washing machine with a whole box of Big 'N Bubbly, and now Beans turns his nose up at Molly, sulking. Where '''is''' Binky Boo?

''Where Is Binky Boo?'' is a fun lost and found tale, with the added garnish of lessons about sharing on top. The text, from daughter and father team Chloe and Mick Inkpen, is clear and direct, driving the story along. The interplay between dog, owner, and their respective dolls, is lovely. I particularly enjoyed seeing Zoe demanding that Beans fetch from the sandpit - you can just imagine a young girl shouting at her dog in the loving telling off manner.

The illustrations are as excellent as you would expect. Beans is a deliciously scruffy mutt, Zoe is a cute little wobbly thing with attitude, and Molly and Binky Boo look like they've been loved long and hard. With a great range of emotions for all the characters throughout, every page is full of amusing expressions and events that will amuse you. Seeing Zoe and Molly in bed together, as far away as possible, because Molly is too stinky, is the highlight. I hope every little kid that reads ''Where Is Binky Boo?'' starts saying ''You're too stinky. ...No offence'' like an army of junior ''Fast Show'' fans!

If you're looking for a sweet yet funny read, about a young girl and her dog, you really can't go wrong with ''Where Is Binky Boo?'' It's ideal for sharing with book fans on the cusp of reading for themselves, but those a little younger still will love it, because of its warm heart, clear writing and excellent illustrations. Warmly recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

For another look at kids with pets, check out [[Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet by Lynne Rickards and Lee Wildish]]. For a missing toys, take a look at [[Bedtime Without Arthur by Jessica Meserve]] and [[Duck by Janet A Holmes and Jonathan Bentley]].

{{amazontext|amazon=0230748457}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=0230748457}}

{{commenthead}}

[[Category:Chloe Inkpen]]
[[Category:Mick Inkpen]]