Mayhem on Wheels

Blue, Barry & Pancakes #6

by Dan Jason, Dan Abdo, Jason Patterson

Blue, Barry, and Pancakes are best friends! They love roller skates, inflatable rubber ducks, and going on HIGH VELOCITY adventures!

After a series of wacky mishaps, Blue, Barry, and Pancakes find themselves inside a Roller Duck Ball stadium. Forced to compete in this nonsensical yet highly popular sport, the gang discovers a natural talent for the game. Soon enough, they find themselves hurtling towards athletic stardom! As endorsement deals and branded merchandise offers pile up, will our heroes be able to stay humble and hold onto their friendship? Or will the pressures of fame and success tear them apart?!

Like all friends, Blue, Barry, and Pancakes can make mistakes . . . but at the end of the day, they always have each other’s backs. And tops, and sides, and fronts, too!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Sports, Fantasy, Animals, Juvenile

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2024

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids (5 and 7) adore this graphic novel series and the many silly adventures of Blue, Barry & Pancakes. In Mayhem on Wheels, the three friends are back with their normal shenanigans and find themselves competing in a new sport: Roller Duck Ball. The game was bonkers (they loved how the final match up reminded them of Space Jam), the competition fierce, and the jokes kept my young readers laughing.

This graphic novel series is so delightful with the most vibrant and whimsical art that keeps readers of all ages engaged. While we love reading the series together as a family, it is such a wonderful beginning graphic novel for emerging readers - my 5 year old gets so excited to spot sight and high frequency words and doesn’t feel overwhelmed by lots of text.

My kids gave this latest installment five out of five stacks of pancakes. If you have a younger reader who loves stories about adventure, friendship, and teamwork with lots of silliness, they will adore Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Mayhem on Wheels!

Thank you @01firstsecondbooks for the eARC and helping me score cool mom points!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
The three friends are back and working on their athletic skills. When Barry tests a new invention, the three friends end up flooding their home and decide they've created a new sport. Soon, they learn it has already been invented and they end up playing against other teams. Mid to upper elementary students will appreciate the humor as these three figure out how to play Roller Duck Ball. They'll also appreciate the lesson when the three friends become more focused on merchandise and winning than enjoying the game. The ending is amusing as many students will recognise the next sport they invent. The artwork is colorful and adds to the story. Readers will study the details and learn more about what is happening in the background.

[Korie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue, Barry & Pancakes is such a fantastic graphic novel series for young readers! Full of silly shenanigans this series is perfect for the young reader. In the latest story the three friends find themselves competing in the nonsensical sport Roller Duck Ball and DOMINATING! They've got fans and merchandise, until they don't. Their fame is short lived, and just as suddenly they find themselves replaced by another team. Also, the world, or at least the stadium, may now be in danger.

This charming story is first, fully of the sillies, and second, a gentle question - is winning the MOST important thing of all? Friendship wins the day.

[Kelly Green's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like you opened a box of new crayons...fresh, fun and really colorful!!
What a great read. If you have a resistant reader in your family give Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Mayhem on Wheels a try. If you have an avid reader in your family- this is also a great read :) It is just packed with whimsey and adventure. I was most impressed with the bright, vivid colors. The colorful illustrations just made this a joy to read.

Highly recommend this graphic novel!!
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from First Second Books, First Second.

[Jessica's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an off kilter trio. The storyline feels like one big run on sentence with events crashing right up and pressing into the next scene. The author doesn’t explain anything about the setting or the trio and I was left piecing things along.

While the story is unusual, the illustrations are bright and catchy with focus easily drawing the eye along the pages, enhancing the story along.

It’s just not for me.

Sponsored through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayhem on Wheels, the latest installment in the Blue, Barry, & Pancakes series, finds the trio unexpectedly competing—and succeeding—in Roller Duck Ball, a new sport. Their new-found success brings them merchandise and fans, but when they lose, they find that those things can be short-lived, while their friendship endures. The bright, bold illustrations and non-stop action will keep young readers engaged—and reading.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue, Barry & Pancakes is a story about 3 friends - a blue worm, a frog, and a big bunny. An accident in their tree house mixes with an odd assortment of accessories and has them chasing a ball to a giant donut shaped stadium. Soon they are playing a new game and crushing the competition. The problem is, one of the other teams doesn't take so kindly to losing!

This was a fun, goofy, bright and quick read. I think kids would love this book, especially those in the lower grades.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue, Barry, and Pancakes accidently create a game involving rollerskates and beach balls which turns out to be a pre-existing game which they compete in and do really well at until corporate sponsors put pressure on them to sell souvenir cups which makes everything go sour so they retire but then they get called back to beat an evil team and restore the purity of the game.

(This review is intentionally presented as a run-on sentence because that's what the book feels like.)

[Kristen Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG how much I love this graphic novel series! There is so much mayhem everywhere, it is truly non-stop fun. Vibrant, detailed illustrations with a fun filled adventure that has a new turn at every corner!
My children could not stop laughing…. And honestly I found myself laughing out loud right along with them! I hope to see what is next in store for our trio!

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorful, fast-paced graphic novel featuring reader favorites Blue, Berry, and Pancakes, is sure to bring readers back for the next adventure. I will recommend the entire series to reluctant/early readers, fans of Dog Man, and my voracious graphic novel readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are mine and are independent of consideration.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley
The lovable roommates and friends Blue, Barry, and Pancakes are back for their sixth adventure! What starts out as a test for aqua belts turns into playing duck ball to save the sport. Lively illustrations pair with the text to take readers on a rip-rolling adventure.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...I have seen these characters before but this is first time reading them. My virdict-impressions...this is hilarious, colourful, fast paced plus yes fun and friendship is very important indeed!

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue, Barry & Pancakes embark on uproarious adventures, utilizing their unique skills and teamwork to navigate through hilarious escapades. With a high-energy plot and zany antics, this volume is a vibrant and entertaining page-turner.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very cute in the beginning. I personally loved pancakes.

Content disclaimer: Their treehouse flooded which I thought could be very alarming to some children.
There was also two pictures of a frog’s butt on page 48 and mentions of butt cheeks on page 99.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read the others in this series yet, but Blue Berry and Pancakes are wacky and funny and outrageous! My 8yo son especially loved this book and is clearly the target audience. Creative and action-packed it was a quick read even for a beginner.

[cavtasticreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is super cute and hillarious. Fun antics of Blue, Barry, and Pancake as they discover a new game and that winning isn’t the most important part. My students would love this book.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids are going to love the continued adventures of Blue, Barry, and Pancake. I love that they stand for joy. When joy is taken out of the picture sometimes the cost is not worth forgetting what you’re doing something for. I think this is a great message that so many kids and people can benefit from being reminded about. Thank you so much to First Second Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Zac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this latest Blue, Barry and Pancakes adventure. Laughs and silliness galore!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what do our friends do with aqua belts, roller skates, and runaway beach balls? The three besties play Roller Duck Ball of course! After accidentally creating a flood in their house while testing aqua belts, our friends are washed out their front door, along with a runaway beach ball. They are in hot pursuit (Hi Duck Zilla!) when they find themselves in the middle of a stadium playing in a Roller Duck Ball tournament. And they are winning! But then the Prickly Pears (very sore losers) use Mecha Suits. Totally not fair. Of course, their nefarious deed backfires. Can our heroes defeat Mecha Warriors gone rogue?
I agree that this is definitely a wacky adventure but also one that kids will love. For example Frog Butt. Frog Butt is a totally legit move in Roller Duck Ball. Just sayin'!
This whole series is very cute - and would interest kids that like Dog Man along with Narwhal & Jelly fans.
Thank you Net Galley and First Second for an E-ARC!

[MusingsofRu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Berry & Pancakes have more adventures ahead in Mayhem on Wheels.
This delightful full color graphic novel is sure to get kids laughing. There were silly misunderstandings, puns and new games created. My family enjoyed reading and rereading this book. It has in a silly bit on commercialism that I hope my kids got, as we have merch from all sorts of characters and would love for them to recognize the ridiculousness. It wasn't a major theme but as a parent that part resonated with me. If you have elementary aged kids they should check out this book!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. Honest opinions from a mom looking for the best books for her family.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.