Samson: The Piranha Who Went to Dinner

Toothy Samson is a fish out of water: his fellow piranhas are perfectly happy to eat “the same boring food day after day,” but Samson, an adventurous soul, dreams of gourmet delights like “luscious lily linguine and crispy kelp cakes.” He’s determined to eat at the swankiest spots in the ocean, but even when he wears a disguise (including one that suggests a Brooklyn artisanal pickle-maker crossed with Marie Antoinette) he’s quickly discovered, and the other diners flee, certain that they’re about to become dinner (“Piranha!” becomes the book’s refrain). Fortunately, Samson stumbles upon other carnivorous fish who are equally committed gourmands (and equally poor at disguises), and together they open a restaurant so good that everyone pretends to be a predator to get in. Although the book’s wrap-up isn’t as comically adroit as everything that leads up to it, Bentley’s (Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups) broadly cartooned cast, atmospheric aquatic settings (he’s especially good at depicting light streaming through the depths), and knowing winks at foodie culture make this a tasty morsel. Ages 4–8. [em]Agent: John Rudolph, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Feb.) [/em]