The Greatest in the World! (Tater Tales #1)

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. (Nov.)