Narwhal and Jelly creator Ben Clanton introduced a new species of fun in The Greatest in the World.
Rot is a mutant potato. What makes a potato a mutant, I don't know. But one day, Rot wakes up feeling like he's just the greatest! This spectacular attitude just gets under fellow mutant potato, Snot's skin. This sparks a competition for both spuds to compete to find out just who really is the greatest tuber in the world!
Brothers Rot and Snot aren't really likable characters. They are rude and angry- mostly towards each other. The only character they are completely nice to is little sister Tot. And yet Tot isn't even the most likable figure of the bunch. The best character is 4th wheel and best friend to Rot, Worm the worm. Unfortunately, his presence is rather... small.
Even though I was not a fan of the two main characters, I thought that this was the kind of book that parents would love. Yes, Rot and Snot are rude and kinda crude. But, there isn't any potty or gross humor. It's just that I find those main characters really obnoxious. I imagine if this graphic novel was an audio book, the dialogue would all be rather LOUD!
The ending of the book was predictable. But it was delightful and really, really sweet. Despite my misgivings of the protagonists, I cheered with the finale! And I think young readers will too!
The Greatest in the World is the first book in Ben Clanton's Tater Tales. However, this book is the writer's first work with mutant veggie Rot; he starred in Clanton's 2017 picture book Rot, The Cutest in the World. Rot's debut was for readers aged 4-6 with this graphic novel being recommended for those aged 6-9. Thus, families with multiples have couple of books that the whole family can enjoy!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. (Note- this rating is my personal preference and not any indication of quality or appropriateness for young readers.)
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