cover image Chicken Butt's Back!

Chicken Butt's Back!

Erica S. Perl, illus. by Henry Cole. Abrams, $12.95 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8109-9729-5

Mom is so over it: "I'll make this crystal clear:/ No more 'Chicken Butt' my dear." But for the star of Chicken Butt! every grocery store item (and everything his mother says) becomes fodder for his favorite joke. With a mischievous chicken egging him on, "Deer-ly Beloved Maple Syrup" gives rise to "DEER BUTT!" and Mom's confused "Which? But..." spawns a booty-shaking witch. Cole's kinetic, acrylic and colored pencil cartoons strike the right tone of mild disobedience, and Mom's half-lidded eyes telegraph her weariness. As in the book itself, parents will likely tire of the joke well before kids do. Ages 3%E2%80%93up. (Apr.)