The Greatest in the World!

September 15, 2022
One grumbly day, two mutant tater brothers vie to determine who is the greatest in the world. It's goofy-looking Rot Poe Tater, with an awesome unibrow and "surprisingly sturdy stick legs," versus big brother Snot, a sleepy, upset couch potato with bedhead. Tot, their "usually super chipper" little sister, acts as the judge. The first challenge, a potato sack race with shades of "The Tortoise and the Hare," ends in a tie. The second contest is Hot Potato Hill, where the brothers must roll down a hill after Tot. No one wins, and the third contest is a laugh-off. Rot declares he's laughing so hard that he needs to pee his pants but then remembers he doesn't wear pants. When Rot and Snot are laughed out, Tot is still giggling. That's when the plot twists and twists again. The text, primarily boastful speech-bubble banter between Rot and Snot, also contains songs, cheers from an enthusiastic worm, and fun wordplay, including alliterative places names like Barrel Bottom Bog and the Moldy Mounds. Text in a smaller typeface alternates with graphic panels, keeping the action moving. Expressive potato faces make the action and emotions clear. Fans of the picture book Rot: The Cutest in the World (2016) will enjoy seeing the protagonist again; Clanton relies on the same simple yet expressive cartoon illustrations and humor. This tater trio, and worm, will keep readers laughing, singing, and cheering from the first page to the last. (pictures of other taters who have excelled in the Hot Potato Hill challenge, facts about potatoes, lesson on how to draw Rot) (Graphic novel. 5-7)

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October 1, 2022

K-Gr 3-Mutant potato brothers Rot and Snot have a competition to decide who is the greatest in the world, to be judged by their little sister, Tot. When neither a potato sack race nor a game of hot potato produces a winner, they have a laugh-off, with an unexpected result. Potato puns abound in "spudtacular" fashion, and Clanton's characters have many more expressions than Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Enthusiastic early riser Rot is medium-sized and brownish, grumpy Snot is larger and greener, and "super chipper." Tot is the smallest, with yellowish skin and a blue and white polka-dotted bow (which matches the endpapers). Five short chapters, followed by "Spudtacular Facts and Fun," introduce readers to Clanton's new characters, who are just as silly and appealing as Narwhal and Jelly. Back matter includes step-by-step instructions for how to draw Rot. VERDICT An excellent addition where early reader graphic novels are popular (that is, everywhere).-Jenny Arch

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 10, 2022
Having already appeared in two picture books, mutant spud Rot Poe Tater now stars in a graphic novel, this chapter book series starter in five sections. Waking “on the right side of the garden bed,” one morning, Rot feels like “the GREATEST in the world,” a designation that leads to a shouty five a.m. song. Brother Snot, meanwhile, “did not feel great. Snot felt sleepy. Sleepy and upset.” Their classic sibling quarrel leads to a contest: three challenges that’ll decide who really deserves the “GREATEST” title, judged by savvy little sister Tot, a bright-eyed spud who sports a blue bow. Comically emphatic dialogue, wry narrator commentary, and raucous mixed-media cartooning—including potato stamps—depicts the one-spudmanship. The brothers compete in a potato sack race, rolling game “Hot Potato Hill,” and a laugh-off (“Last spud left laughing wins!”). Extending his impressive track record of funny geniality, Clanton renders the characters with earnest expressions, building to the reveal of a contest winner who’s “kind, fun, a good sport, and all that GREAT STUFF!” “Spudtacular facts” conclude. Ages 6–9. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt & Zacker.

November 1, 2022
Grades 1-3 Rot Poe Tater, a mutant potato, thinks he is the greatest in the world. But then he is challenged by his brother, Snot, to a Greatest in the World contest--a potato sack race through Barrel Bottom Bog past the Moldy Mounds to the top of High Hill--which will be judged by their little sister, Tot. When they tie, they must compete in a second contest, a high-speed roll of Hot Potato Hill, and then a third and final competition: a laugh-off until there's only one tuber left standing. Chock-full of spudtacular puns and a feel-good surprise ending, Clanton offers a delightful laugh-on-every-page early chapter book for kids ready to tackle longer stories but with very simple text and visual context clues. The graphic novel elements interspersed throughout the standard illustrated text will hold great appeal for young readers. The artwork, done digitally, combines watercolor in mustard yellows and moldy greens with (quite brilliantly) potato printing to create some truly disgusting and lovable antiheroes.

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