School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Ace and Bub are distinguishable from one another only by their shorts; they both have a yen for adventure and a tendency to get caught up in major animal kingdom conspiracies. Their primary nemesis is Bruce, a larger beaver with a commensurate ego, but they also end up battling the evil plans of penguins and mackerel. The art is simplistic, using a single spot color to add some variety to the background and to highlight the narrow line work. The visual design limits the expressions of the characters to a precious few primitive reactions. Despite this, the books are fun reads, exhibiting a glib sense of the absurd as well as solid comic timing. Something is always happening, a wonderfully terrible pun is being set up, or someone will regularly make an aside to readers. Much of the charm of the books comes from the particularly offbeat humor.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Over the course of these two stories, two beaver brothers save their home island from other animals out to exploit the island's beavers'natural resources for profit. Ace, the active beaver brother, and Bub, the lazy one, are first troubled by a group of penguins attempting to use a giant underwater refrigerator to freeze their island into a cold-weather resort. At the same time, Ace's attempt to win the island's surfing competition is threatened by beaver bully Bruce's plan to sabotage Ace's surfing. As readers might guess, the plan ends up backfiring and helps Ace stop the penguins and win the surfing contest. In "Fishy Business," Ace, Bub, and formerly evil penguins Bob and Bob must stop a group of fish from tearing down the island's forest to make cheap toy fishsticks, burning the rest of the trees and polluting the island in the process. When Bruce becomes a spokesman for the fish's sticks, they all must be awakened to the extent of the fish's destruction. Eaton's simple cartoonish style, big action scenes, and dry sense of humor keep the story moving, and younger readers will enjoy the camaraderie and sharp characterization. Ages 6-9. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
The Fishy Business (releasing simultaneously), is funny from the first panel. The laws of probability suggest that volume three will be a real achievement. Some readers won't make it through the most painful jokes, but those who do will see something marvelous building itself in front of their eyes. (Graphic novel. 6-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
A group of evil penguins steals Ace's surfboard just before the big surfing competition. Together with his brother, Bub, the beaver must not only rescue his surfboard but also stop the penguins from hatching an evil plan and destroying the whole island. The first title in Eaton's new series makes excellent use of deceptively simple art and snappy sound effects; in the opening sequence, readers will almost be able to feel the wind whistling past. Young readers will love the cartoonish characters, rendered in a three-color palette that is popular in Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm's Babymouse and Squish graphic novels. They'll also enjoy the silly puns and the wacky visual humor, such as how the penguin's submarine resembles a refrigerator. With more action than dialogue, this is an especially good pick for reluctant readers. The environmental message is on the subtle side, but kids will be eager for more beaver action, so libraries should look for volume 2 (The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business), being released at the same time.--Wildsmith, Snow Copyright 2010 Booklist
