Reluctant readers may like this - more like a comic than a graphics novel. Baloney and Friends offer a fun read, lots of silliness but not much plot.

I am a fan of Pizzoli's Watermelon Seed and other picture books. ( )

My kid likes [b:Hi, Jack!|35340580|Hi, Jack!|Mac Barnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558819247l/35340580._SX50_.jpg|56706298] so I knew she'd like this. It's definitely sweet than the Jack books, but her favorite character is Krabbit (the grouch). ( )

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2020. ( )

Baloney, a pig, introduces himself and his friends -- Peanut, a horse; Bizz, a bumblebee; and Krabbit, a grumpy rabbit -- in this first in a series of early graphic novels. Short chapters show the friends having a magic show, playing arcade games, and comforting each other in times of sadness, among other everyday adventures.

This is a nice read for young children from preK through early elementary school. The language is generally simple enough that it would work well for beginning readers and though it is a bit on the longer side for an early reader, it is made more accessible through short chapters. There are fun little "meta" moments when Baloney and his friends break the fourth wall and address the reader or talk about the act of reading this book. There's a decent gender breakdown with Baloney and Krabbit presented as "he" and Peanut and Bizz presented as "she."

Most of the stories lean toward the humorous, which tends to be very popular with young readers. The short story towards the end of the book in which Baloney is having a terrible day and feels sad about everything while Peanut attempts to comfort him was particularly lovely, while still managing to keep the tone lighthearted. The book concludes with quick step-by-step tutorials of how to draw the characters. ( )

Baloney and Friends was such a great graphic novel. There are a bunch of short stories in this one book about Baloney and his friend's adventures. ( )