Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitoes from Mercury

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitoes from Mercury by Dav Pilkey, Illustrations by Dan Santat (Scholastic Inc)

PB RRP $10.99

ISBN 978-0-545-63010-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

In this second adventure, Ricky Ricotta and his friend Mighty Robot are back in action. Ricky sees mutant mosquitoes attack Squeakyville from his school window but the teacher will not let him leave to save the earth until he finishes his maths test. Luckily, Ricky is a whiz at maths. With his robot friend, Ricky must battle evil mosquitoes which are sick of living on their hot planet of Mercury, and want to take over Earth for their home.

Thin, colourful, and glossy, the short chapter and easy text will attract young boys who are looking to extend their reading to chapter books. And the action, with animal-like alien monsters will keep them hooked. Comic style pages enhance the action in the battle scenes and the illustrations.

Created by the author of Captain Underpants, and illustrator Dan Santat, the Ricky Ricotta tales are filled with action, aliens, heroes and flip-o-ramas, which will appeal to lower primary readers and younger Captain Underpants fans.