Your Pal Fred is a graphic novel aimed at 7- to 10-year-old readers. It's the story of Fred, a small robot who was created to be your best pal. Fred lies dormant and deactivated for countless years until two brothers hide in an underground space where Fred is still boxed up in an abandoned toy store. When the brothers accidently activate him, Fred is as chipper and happy as his programming meant him to be, even after discovering he's now living in a post-apocalyptic world.

Shortly after his awakening, Fred and the brothers are kidnapped and inducted into Lord Bonkers' army, where he learns the story of the world he now faces: two Warlords, Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, are at war, vying to take over the wastelands. Ever helpful Fred, after seeing the unfairness of it all and the unhappiness it was creating for everyone, decides to take it upon himself to talk to both chieftains about becoming friends and ending the war.

Along the way, Fred has several small adventures. He meets Wormy, a young thief who thinks Fred is naïve and out of his head to believe he's going to be able to talk the bad guys into being friends. She keeps showing up, though Fred doesn't always know she's around, watching to see how things play out. Fred also meets and befriends Junkboy after a rough start, when Wormy steals a bag of potatoes and literally leaves Fred holding the bag.

Fred finally makes his way to Lord Bonkers' compound and, after his attempt at presenting a pet rock to the warlord goes awry, ending with him getting the boot literally, he decides to try a visit with Papa Mayhem.

When Fred arrives, his attitude amuses Papa, who thinks he's Kooky-Bazooky and grants him an audience to discuss the situation. However, he has a tizzy when Fred proposes his idea about Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem becoming friends and decides it's time to torture Fred by putting him into the boom room, a small enclosed room where a drummer continuously beats a large drum. It's known for driving people crazy, but not Fred... he compliments the drummer on his talent and tells him he really likes the beat. Much to Papa Mayhem's dismay, Fred dances the night away in the boom room.

As things progress, even though treachery and deceit on the part of both sides, Fred still maintains his positive and hopeful attitude. The story wraps up with a surprise twist that I won't reveal, but I will tell you that it's a good book to share with the young ones in your life.

The artwork is colorful and engaging and compliments the story nicely. The lettering is easily readable and I really enjoyed the overall book. As a grandmother, I think this will be a great addition to add to several of my grandkids' reading lists and I plan to introduce them to Fred very soon. ~~ Dee Astell