cover image Who Is the Boss CL

Who Is the Boss CL

Josse Goffin. Clarion Books, $13.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-395-61192-0

One-Ups-Man-Ship could well be the name of the vessel that the two braggarts in this picture book are sailing. A series of grand claims volleying back and forth (``My manners are finer than yours''; ``But I am a much nicer person''; ``I am master of the sword''; ``And I am king of all that I see'') constitutes the entire text and diverts the pair's attention from the ship's course until disaster strikes. Luckily, the situation is saved by the ship's only other passenger, a curious green duck visible in nearly every illustration. Though Goffin's tale is practically plotless--and his offbeat humor may be lost on more literal-minded readers--the byplay here may invite creative interpretation and discussion. Goffin's ( Oh! ) unassuming colored pencil illustrations make striking use of both color and white space, contributing to this quirky book's deceptive simplicity. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)