POULTRYGEIST

The creators of Souperchicken lay an egg in their latest "poultry parody," a surprisingly brittle affair. Two crowing roosters annoy Sophie the pig and Clarissa the cow with their noise. When preparations for the Halloween Poultry Parade become too noisy, the "old grumps" frighten the birds into silence by dressing as a ghost, or "poultrygeist." The plot is predictable only to a point—the pig and cow stay disgruntled instead of becoming friends with the small fry. Maladroit Photoshop collages exacerbate the ill humor of the text. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)