The Fantastic 5 & 10¢ Store is indeed a fantastic rebus story that young and old would like. Figuring out the story through graphics and words is a fun challenge that most kids would welcome. Benny Penny comes up with the idea of hanging twinkling stars on the top of the awning of the store to attract customers and it works. Now no one needs to wonder anymore what kind of store it is. Everyone is delighted to come and see the wares.
In addition to its happy ending, the end pages are packed with antique hardware store ads that bring back memories to us older readers. These documents could be used as a great discussion starter for teachers teaching a particular time period in history basing their discussion on economics, what America's needs were then versus what they are now.
Those who struggle with the rebus format can find the full text on the last page of the book.
Recommended by Tina Nabinger, school librarian, New York
