BOOGERS ARE BLESSINGS

Picking 10 reasons why boogers are wonderful is not hard for first-time author (and 10-year-old) McDermott, who co-authored this picture book with his mother. The book's protagonist flaunts a bright yellow tee shirt with a box of tissues crossed out as he lauds the joys of nose-picking. "Boogers are blessings,/ 'Cause, well, they're just fun!" he proclaims. "They make great little snacks,/ When there's no time to cook./ They're handy placeholders/ When you're reading a book." Ross (Hey! That's Not What the Bible Says!) pictures the hero donning a spelunker's helmet to play up the pun of "digging for gold" and sporting a cape as he quips, "They're the only costume you need/ To play the Boogernator." In the corner of each spread, snot-tipped fingers mark each blessing, one to 10. The campy cartoon illustrations match the text for blithe gross-out value, as when the hero squirrels away his green treasures on his bedstead, marked for each day of the week ("You can eat some now/ Or save some for later"). The title may appeal to those looking for an irreverent read, but others may prefer a tissue. Ages 4-8 (Oct.)