Benny and Penny in Just Pretend #[nn]

This delightful all-ages graphic novel from RAW Junior brings Geoffrey Hayes's warm, pencil-and-watercolor artwork to charming life, following two young mouse siblings — Penny in her pointed wizard's hat and Benny decked out in a pirate's skull-and-crossbones flag — as they navigate the very serious business of make-believe and sibling dynamics. The page shown captures their back-and-forth perfectly: Benny insisting "pirates don't hug" while Penny just wants affection, only for the standoff to melt into a hopeful "Huggy?" amid autumn leaves and wildflowers. Hayes's gentle linework and soft colors make every panel feel like a storybook come to life, and the humor is spot-on for young readers and the grown-ups reading alongside them.