Ferrets from Planet Ferretonia!

Meems & Feefs #1

by Liza N. Cooper

Meems and Feefs are ferrets from the planet Ferretonia. When they secretly carry out an experiment using Ferretonia's forbidden Ancient Tech, it all goes wrong, and they end up crash-landing on Earth!

Meems is a smart, cheeky, and tech-savvy ferret from the planet Ferretonia. Feefs is his goofy, happy-go-lucky brother. Unsatisfied and bored with their quiet life on Ferretonia, the brothers build a forbidden Travel Opal to go on an adventure but accidentally bite off more than they can chew and get stuck on planet Earth with no way to get home. The ferrets journey to an animal shelter where they meet a shy teen named Liza. After using a Communication Opal on Liza to transcend language barriers, Meems and Feefs put their trust in her and embark on a race-against-time adventure, or else they're doomed to stay on Earth forever!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Humor, Comics, Fantasy, Animals

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

Liza N. Cooper is an artist and digital content creator who goes by the pen name Siberian Lizard online. Originally born in the wild and frosty Siberia, she has since settled down in a much warmer (and wetter) London, where she lives with her two naughty ferrets and a Pomeranian pup.

As a curious and outgoing child with a vivid imagination, she spent most of her summers in the countryside accompanied by her doting, but eccentric gran. Together they explored the wilderness, foraged for mushrooms, told stories and painted every day.

Liza set her heart on being an artist early on, but it wasn’t a straight forward journey. After graduating high school, she was convinced that she had to have a conventional career and went on to study business at King's College London.

Flipping through the lecture notes at the end of first year however, it was clear that she made a big mistake, as they were filled to the brim with drawings.

Liza got a chance to change course, and eventually she graduated from Central Saint Martins London receiving a BA in Graphic Design specializing in Illustration and Animation.

Before branching out on her own, Liza worked as an Art Director for the viral hit animated series - Simon’s Cat.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!

This has to be one of the best graphic novels that I have ever found from the Read Now section!

I definitely chose this book because I loved the art style of the cover and I am also obsessed with ferrets. I did not really know what to expect when going into this book but I definitely wanted to try reading it and I am so glad that I did.

This book was just so much fun from start to finish. Meems and Feefs are amazing main characters and I loved both their friendship and their banter. This was also a really wholesome graphic novel once they were introduced to Liza. I also really enjoyed Liza's dynamic with her brother.

I am so glad that this was just volume 1 and we are going to be getting more volumes. I can't wait and I hope that we get a release date soon!!! (I know that this volume is not even being released until 9/26/23 though so it will probably be a long wait!)

I am really excited to see where this story goes next! I highly recommend this book!

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, to be honest, I didn't read the book myself. I handed it to my 11 year old. She LOVED it! She sat and read it straight through. Even went back and re-read parts aloud to me and giving different voices to different characters while showing me the pictures. She frequently was saying how cute or funny about a picture too. I often heard her burst out laughing .

Now, my daughter is really quite selective in what she will read like this. So this is a sign of a good book. Thank you

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this graphic novel from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review~


I have been following and reading Liza’s comics on Insta for a while now and I love how fun and cute they are. So imagine my delight when I find out that she has written a fantasy/sci-fi graphic novel featuring her ferrets and herself! I needed to read this one!

In this book we meet two ferrets, Meems and Feefs. Yep, perfect names! Out of the two silly little ferrets I loved Feefs the most. He was laid back, fun, sweet, adorable, and huggable, whereas Meems was a grumpy know-it-all. Who did have his good points don’t get me wrong (like inventions and making some smart plans), but Feefs was just way more fun (and entertaining). Especially later in the story when something big happens and instead of being kind he is rude. I get that you are unhappy but it was NOT her fault. So give me all the Feefs!

The adventure is just so good and I love that this is just book 1 in a hopefully many more volumes series. Ferretonia is a fantastic place and I would love to visit it. Spread some hugs and love around. Haha, and see how a society is run by ferrets! I loved that Feefs and Meems go on a wild adventure and try to find out all the details they need for something BIG. I loved that we got to Earth and see our ferrets figure out that, no, this is not a ferret run society. It is all humans! But not all humans are bad and I loved seeing them discover that, well Feefs was instantly OK with it all, Meems took a bit more convincing. Haha. There is a lot of exciting moments and I loved how Liza did everything to do to help them out, well as soon as she could talk to them, which was quite a shock to her. I would have been startled as well, but then also 100% on board!

I loved that we also got to see the hometown along with family and friends. Her brother was just so sweet, didn’t even bat an eye when she asked for all those chilis.

The ending gives us an opening on many more adventures and I cannot wait! There are still enough mysteries to be solved and I am here for it!

I loved that at the ending she gave us sketches + photographs of Meems and Feefs~

The art was Liza’s fun style and I love it! Love getting 194 of it!

Once again, I keep asking this, but please publishers make sure the font is readable. While I loved the story and everything around it, I had a few times that I wanted to give up on reading the book because the font was very small and blurry. Even with my glasses on I had a hard time.

All in all, I love this one to bits and I would highly recommend it to everyone!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[A.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this arc for honest review

Okay this was such a cute book that I think any kid from 4th grade to high school would love! It's got funny characters, that work together, that deal with being on a new planet, and accepting help. You get a duel POV from the ferrets and their human friend, both groups are dealing with their own hardships and help each other through them. super cute. I also liked that the ferrets are based off of the authors own ferrets!!

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed up adventure that mixes science fiction, reality, talking animals and human problems. The artwork was goofy, straightforward, colorful, and is a good support to the story. I just wish they had drawn noses for everyone!

[Paige Etheridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to read the next one! This is such a cute story with great art. What we learn from new perspectives and adventures. I love the line about how an ugly swan could be a magnificent elephant (again on perspective). We also get to see a cute rat character and a cute frog character.

[Joy Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A refreshing and funny story about space ferrets, and more important, about friendship. This story is good for elementary readers who appreciate a funny story and will also love the adorable art.

[el (celestialbronz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

New STEM category unlocked: ferrets in STEM!

Meems and Feefs are ferrets from--you guessed it--Planet Ferretonia. They're highly intelligent creature that has advanced technologies, but most of them have been banned for centuries. Meems who's been obsessed with that wanted to go on a little adventure and made them both accidentally stranded on Earth.

Fate brought them to Liza who's just lost her pet. They bond started to form and their adventure continued, but eventually, some trouble came across them.

I really enjoyed this, the colorful and cute illustrations fits the story so well. The story was fun but meaningful and heartwarming. By the time I reached the behind the scene at the end of the book, my face literally went: 🥺 bc I didn't realize that the author is THE Liza in the story and that Meems and Feefs were inspired by her real ferrets. Excited to read their next adventure whenever it'll come!!!

[Ms Hazel Tragy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really lovely stroy of friendship with Meems and Feefs ending up in an unexpected world, making a special friend and MAYBE getting home. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm hoping this is the start of a series. I really enjoyed the art and could see some influences from Simon's Cat. I love the little pictures of the real ferrets at the back, they're.adorable.

[Jamie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so cute. My twins (8) loved it. They are really into graphic novels starring animals. I thought it was a lot of fun as well.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for those who love graphic novels AND animals. Meems and Feefs, two ferrets from an advanced society of those furry mammals, are brothers who stick together through everything and yet have distinctly different personalities. Both are sure that the elders on the island of Dook Dook (a play on the sound a ferret might make called “dooking”) are keeping secrets about other islands and even other planets from the younger inhabitants of their home but they differ on how exactly to reveal the truth. A theft, some tinkering and the two find themselves teleported to Earth and into the life of Liza who really needs some warm fuzzies in her life. Discoveries, friendship, and more tinkering will keep readers entertained all the way to the end of this first installment of a new series. Graphic panels are gorgeous and author/illustrator Liza N. Cooper manages to convey the personality of each ferret brother in the eyes and differences in fur and clothing. (What? Clothes on a ferret??) Hopefully the 2nd in series won’t be too long in coming. Target audience is likely grades 4-6 but with the lack of profanity, sexual content, or violence, would be appropriate for strong readers in 3rd grade as well.

Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel Publishing.

[2 Kid Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are so glad this book exists. We are 10 years old, so this book is for us! We both loved it! We are so glad there is going to be a book 2 and we hope many more.

The characters are cute and adorable the book is very funny, so good!

Here is our full review: https://youtu.be/rZVS9WLydHQ

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh out loud Graphic Novel about two ferret brothers, Meems & Feef from the planet Ferretonia. Lots of snarky humor with some sci fi thrown in the mix.Younger kids will enjoy this romp through time and space, as the brothers, especially Meems, are determined to discover worlds/land beyond their own island. Stealing plans from the archives, Meems builds a time travel portal that lands them on Earth, where they meet Liza, who is determined to help them get back to their planet while also showing them the meaning of true friendship.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do have some teenagers in my household, but we are all well over the suggested reading age of 8-12. We all enjoyed this book.

I have to say my review is not completely unbiased, I love this artist and when I saw she was releasing a book, I ordered multiple copies along multiple platforms. That being said, this is a fantastic graphic novel if you love animals, a touch of adventure, and especially if you have ferrets in your life.

Cannot wait for part two.

Note from my youngest:
RIPPERT IS EVERYTHING!!!!

[Ria Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story! I was honestly so surprised when it ended. I got super invested and would happily have kept on reading for another 200 pages. Such charming characters, and such a fun ride! The art is adorable too.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brothers Meems and Feefs live on Dook Dook Island in the Planet of Ferretonia. Their little island is surrounded by water, and they've always been discouraged from venturing off the island. But lately, Meems has been kind of bored with life on their small island. He kind of feels like their mentors and the council have been hiding things from them. What he'd really like to do is to go out and explore. So, tech savvy Meems enlists the help of his fun-loving brother Feefs to build a travel opal to teleport off the island, using the ferret's ancient tech's.

Their plan partially works, having teleported themselves to Earth, but there is one slight problem. They're now stuck as their opal broke during the transport. Hoping to find humans who might help, Meems and Feefs try to cross a busy road, and are picked up and brought to an animal shelter where they meet Liza. To communicate with her, the brothers use a communication opal and Liza learns about their problems, she offers to help them to build a new travel device. Can they find the materials they need, and will the brothers be able to teleport back to Planet Ferretonia? Or will they be stuck on Earth for good?

Meems and Feefs are such adorable ferrets. Polar opposites for sure. Meems is heavy into building and technology. He wears a tool belt and would be most happy fixing things. He's also kind of the wild, ill tempered, judgmental and opinionated. Now Feefs, he's a big softie, so sweet, fun loving, with a laisse 'faire attitude. He's trusting, accepting and eager to learn about Earth. The two together are quite cute, as they banter back and forth, well as siblings normally do. Liza is also a very sweet, kind and sensitive girl. She's experienced a lot of changes lately at home having lost a pet herself and some troubles academically. Her older brother though is a huge support and tries to bring her out of her shell.

This is a very cute and fun graphic novel. I can certainly see this appealing to kids who like ferrets. I just loved Meems and Feefs, they're just so adorable and really adventurous. The illustrations are bright and colorful and really capture Meems and Feefs energy, it's a delightful book. I also really enjoyed seeing the authors photographs at the back of the book of the real-life models (her own ferrets) as well as a few raw sketches of the two main characters. And I don't know how I missed this, but the author, Liza even incorporated herself into the book. How cool! The ending leaves room for the story to go in many different directions which will be fun to explore once the next book is released. As a side note, the author was an art director on the animated series, Simon's Cat.

**A huge thank you to Andrews Mc Meel Publishing for the paperback in exchange for an honest review.**

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meems is convinced that the leaders are hiding other islands on Ferretonia from everyone. He wants to see these other lands he is convinced exist. He had a mentor who was an expert in old travel tech that's now banned, but his mentor disappeared. He's convinced Feefs to help him complete the travel tech device recreation and see what they can find. But they overshoot a bit and accidentally land on Earth. There, a girl named Liza decides to take them home from the rescue center. She's been having a rough time with her parents' divorce and her older brother suggested she get a new pet. The ferrets soon decide to trust Liza and use the Communication Opal on her so she can understand them and help them find the missing parts of their wrecked travel tech so they can get back to Ferretonia. But can they really do that or are they stuck on Earth?

Liza is a very likable girl and Feefs is a lovable goof of a ferret. Meems is a bit rougher around the edges, a bit hyper-focused on his goals and less likely to think of how his actions affect others. But he grows as the story goes on and gets more likable. The story is imaginative and has some fun new twists on time/space travel (like using chili peppers as fuel). Liza is going through a rough time, but she has a good group of people around her who care for her (even if some of them are a bit freaky...like the neighbor lady way to obsessed with her garden and turns intruders into taxidermy 😬). The book ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger so I'll be looking out for book 2 and I'm sure students will start begging for it soon.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: The neighbor lady kills and stuffs garden intruders, and some certain ferrets are in danger at one point. Peril from some dogs, but no one gets anything more than a scratch.
Ethnic diversity: Liza and her family appear to have a Russian/Eastern European background like the author (just from foods and things like her brother's name being Sasha)
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Meems breaks some rules because he thinks the government is suppressing information for no good reason.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book way more than I expected! A heartwarming story about ferret siblings from another planet and their new friend on Earth, a human girl named Liza.

Lots of adventure and hijinks, perfect for my 9 year old to also enjoy reading.

A couple places had really lovely dialogue that pulled at my heartstrings: when one ferret Meems makes a mistake and is devastated, so he goes to hide in shame. His sibling Feefs finds him and says “We all make mistakes, Meems. Some we can fix, others we have to live with. There is no point in punishing yourself twice. You should be kinder to yourself :)”

And then later Feefs explains to Liza why Meems is the way he is due to some tough things he’s experienced and says “Yeah, life can sometimes scratch up your heart real bad…but friends help you find a way to heal even the deepest scrapes.” 🥹

Highly recommend this read and I can’t wait for book 2!!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

What had the promise of being a really interesting look at the suppression of facts and the truth, with some young ferret character adamant the island his civilisation lives on is not the only habitable one, becomes something much different, when he and a friend snaffle together the banned tech needed for space travel, and ends up on Earth, in the care of some American girl who helps out at an animal shelter. The exceedingly loose narrative then takes in adventures in out-of-hours junkyards, how to deal with let-downs, plus the usual malarkey of how to deal with the fact you're going round toting talking ferrets from an alien planet. It really is quite the mish-mash, but you know what? For those not quite mature enough to know and expect narrative logic, this is probably a four star read. For me, much closer to three and a half, but all the same.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electric ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss+.
Middle grade readers will love these main characters. Two ferret brothers from the planet Ferretonia want to know more about life beyond their little island. Exploring and advanced technology are forbidden and no one will share why. Meems is a scientist who builds amazing technology and pushes boundaries. He asks his brother, Feefs, to help him take plans for a time travel machine from the forbidden area so they can go exploring. When the machine is completed, they travel farther than expected and end up on Earth. A young girl rescues them from the shelter and helps them build a new machine to take them home. Volume 2 will pick up with their journey.
Cooper blends humor and adventure in this first book of a new series.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty cute. Interesting concept, that ferrets are creatures from another planet. But there are some major plot holes, like, how did the first ferrets get to Earth and why did they decide to become pets? Also, what’re the secret islands and why are the ferret leaders hiding it from all the other people? Maybe those questions will be explored in book 2. I feel like this plot would be better off in a explored full length ya sci fi novel than a middle grade graphic novel cause overlords hiding knowledge is a pretty deep concept for younger kids I feel like. As an adult, I’m interested, but younger kids might not be except that the ferrets are cute lol.

[⊹ ࣪ ˖ maddie ⋆˚࿔ trying to be active ‧₊˚♪ ₊˚⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meems and Feefs are two outcast ferrets from planet Ferretonia. They are best friends and all they want is to make all of the magical opals. They have the communication opal, and now, they have made the travel opal which they want to try out. So, they load the travel opal into place and end up on… PLANET EARTH??

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the artwork and found amusement in the lack of noses on each person, noses aren't easy to draw or at least I think so. The story was okay and the end tells us there's more to come in the next volume, but that's about all to say about it. It was okay, just fine.

[Shari]

Weird but fun fantasy about a lonely girl who helps a couple of ferret aliens who have transported to Earth accidentally from their planet. Wacky but also full of real humor and fun characters. Give to kids who like chaos comics with heart.

[Alex Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Was really creative and funny and loved the characters!

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many personal moments of the author in this book, it is especially pleasant to look at the details of the comics, it was made with great love, thanks

[Maria Lyudvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing comic book! I can't get enough of it, its super capturing and just fun to read :D Highly recommended from my part!

[Alexander Nechaev · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute blast, love it, my kids loved it, my wife loved it, my dog didn’t understand a single page. 5/5, do one for dogs please.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Adorable illustrations and some solid messages/lessons among the weirdness.