Night of the Living Worms

Avian puns and scatological humor drive this first title in an illustrated chapter book series from cartoonist Coverly (Dogs Are People, Too). Scraggly b&w illustrations help introduce Speed Bump, a stumpy, late-rising bird who can never beat his older brother, Early Bird, to the worm. Coverly establishes an irreverent tone from the outset, when Speed Bump is awakened by a “little bird tweeting” (on its smartphone). After Speed Bump and his id-driven friend Slingshot discover that vicious worms are conspiring against Early Bird, the small bird gets a chance to be the hero. The jokes and birdy banter come fast and furious (“They hatched plans, but got eggsasperated because they knew none of them would work.... All of their ideas to stop the Nightcrawlers were as terrible as their puns”), and should keep readers flying through the pages. Ages 7–10. Agent: Melissa Chinchillo, Fletcher & Company. (Oct.)