The Small World of Binky Braverman

by Rosemary Wells, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

Binky Braverman's stay with his aunt and uncle in Memphis unexpectedly proves to be full of adventure when characters on the boxes and jars in their kitchen come to life and become his friends. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a rough transition when a country boy has to relocate temporarily to the big city, until some advertising characters start jumping off their packages to keep him company. A so-so story with fantastic illustrations by Richard Egielski.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toy Story + The Borrowers + imaginary friends. What's not to love? I really like the very beginning, when old Stanley has his memories woken.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys loved this one.

[Pamela Rabon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagination is a wonderful thing.

[Olivia Repass]

This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid. The whole story is so cool and creative. It is fun to read for young kids because it keeps them entertained.

[Marilin Equihua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy
Wells, R. (2003). The Small World of Binky Braverman

Target audience: Ages 4-7

Setting: Memphis, Tennessee 1938
Character(s)/Plot/Summary: Stanley “Binky” Braverman is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in Tennessee while his mother has a baby. Aunt Fran keeps Binky too clean and Uncle Julius makes him do difficult math problems. Binky is miserable and homesick until one night he hears voices coming from the kitchen. All of the characters on the boxes and jars have come to life. The tiny characters keep Binky company and play with him. They help him finish his food, stay clean, and even do his math assignments. Binky is finally happy at his aunt and uncle’s house. When it’s time to go home, he takes all his tiny friends with him, but when he takes him out of his suitcase, they don’t say a word.

Illustrations: The illustrations portray the setting of the late 1930’s. The person characters are very detailed, but Binky’s tiny friends are drawn very simplistic.

Personal critique/strengths/weaknesses: This is a fun story that teaches children about the power of imagination. The target audience can easily relate to Binky and the rules that adults place upon them.

Awards: Parent’s Choice Award (2003)

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book. It's a rare Rosemary Wells book that is illustrated by someone else, and the illustrator is Richard Egielski, who won the Caldecott award for illustrating Hey, Al. So there is plenty of talent here, but it felt like it didn't quite click to me. The story follows a little boy who has to leave his country home to stay with an aunt and uncle in the big city and is lonely. Then he finds friends in the characters who leap off all the packaged food containers in the new place, and finds that he misses them when he returns home. The kids seemed to like it, but we only read it once, and it's not one that left a big impression on me, either. Still, it is a fun story, and I think kids with a certain kind of imaginary friends might find it's the perfect read for them.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asher (4yo) really liked this book, though I'm not exactly sure why. It's the story of a little boy who is sent to live with his aunt and uncle until his baby sibling is born. He lived in the country, so there's much to adjust to when living in the city. He is very unhappy until all the trademark characters from the household products come alive and be his friends.

Rather typical illustrations. Not bad.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

5k Summer Reading book for my son, did not hold his attention at all. Could barely get him to let me finish reading it to him.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, jumbled and overlong story.

[Amanda]

Imma be honest, I got caught up on the fact that this boy was walking around with dried-up worms in his head.