His TOON Book series of Benny and Penny books has garnered multiple awards. In 2009, Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award given by the American Library Association for "the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English."
Hayes' sense of the bouncing rhythms of children's play, grasp of sibling social dynamics in true-to-life scenarios, and especially his adorably huggable, crayon-colored characters have made him the standard-bearer of early-reader comics.
--Booklist
Benny and Penny are two of the most adorable mice created in a comic book format, and their adventures are engaging to young readers...The series continues to show a fun look at timeless tales of big brothers and little sisters and the wonder of imagination.
--Good Comics for Kids