The Screaming Chef

The duo behind The Lonely Phone Booth and The Lonely Typewriter returns with a drily funny story about an unnamed boy who is prone to screaming. Mealtime is a rare respite: his parents’ chickpea curries, “succulent soup,” and “luscialicious” linguini send the boy into a weeklong food coma/nap. One frazzled night, the boy’s parents invite him to do the cooking; he takes to the task with gusto, and the family opens a restaurant with their son installed as chef. There’s an odd early sequence when the boy gains so much weight “he couldn’t fit through the door” (the result of all the scream-avoiding meals he’s being fed) then instantly loses it, presumably while he “was so busy cooking he forgot to eat.” But on the whole, Ackerman’s story will have readers of all ages laughing, especially over diners’ reactions to the boy’s food: “A man drank soup straight from the bowl so he could clap.” Dalton’s illustrations create a chic 1950s-retro atmosphere, and just when it seems like the boy is just another Gordon Ramsay in the making, he finds another outlet for his anger. Kids (and chefs) take note. Ages 3–6. (May)