The text of this review is longer than the text of the book.
(STARRED) Black, Michael Ian
CHICKEN CHEEKS
Illus. by Kevin Hawkes
Actor/comedian Black produces a winner with his first children’s book. A bear spies honey in a hive high atop a skinny tree, and as other animals come along, they pile on top of each other to create a tower. The focus of the story, and of Hawkes’s brilliant acrylic cartoons, is animal backsides—“moose caboose,” “penguin patootie” and, of course, “chicken cheeks.” Pictures tell the story, with minimal text adding humor with rhyme, alliteration and clever wordplay. The visual humor is outstanding: What comes out of chicken cheeks? An egg of course, cracked upon the moose’s nose. The animals’ expressions are priceless as they struggle under each other’s weight; the sight of the guinea pig straining to hold up the “deer rear” is positively hysterical. A “bumblebee bum” provides the climax to the story, and the tale concludes wordlessly, showing who gets to enjoy the honey in the end, or “the ends,” as the author puts it. No butts about it, this is a perfect collaboration of text and illustration. (Picture book. 3-8)
First!
So there's no dildo's in this book?
Posted by: Mark Garcia | November 14, 2008 at 11:44 AM
No giant rubber dildo's? What a dissapointment, "American".
Posted by: Stacey E | November 14, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Sounds like this book is Asstastic!! Congrats on the excellent review - I'm sure there will be more to come.
Posted by: Susanna | November 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
SPOILERS!!! Dammit! That review gives too much away.
But I'm pleased it's a good one, and from the sound of it, my 3 year old son is going to have a minor laughter-induced infarction, because if there's two things he loves, it's butt jokes and books.
I can't wait for January!
Posted by: Tee | November 14, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Congratulations on the great review!
Posted by: Reen | November 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
What a fine feather for your cap! A great review to put a smile on your face and a little jaunt in your step. Have another crepe (or two) to celebrate!
Posted by: Zane | November 14, 2008 at 12:49 PM
aww i want to see this! that's excellent--congratulations!
Posted by: Jenny | November 14, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Congratulations Michael!
Posted by: Ali | November 14, 2008 at 03:19 PM
This sounds like my kind of book! Few words, awesome pictures. But I don't have kids. Will it be weird if I buy it?
Posted by: Bailey | November 14, 2008 at 03:41 PM
It sounds brilliant, Michael. I know my kids will LOVE it!
Posted by: Camille | November 14, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Haha Tee, on the spoilers!
I forget, maybe someone (comment leaver or MIB himself) can enlighten me...what was the original title for this book? Was it "Duck Butt"? I was tempted to say something about that, but wasn't sure if it was something I had just made up in my head or not.
Regardless, I hope a sequel named "Duck Butt" is somebody authored.
Posted by: Reptar | November 14, 2008 at 05:52 PM
ha! I am in complete agreeance on a "Duck Butt" sequel.
Posted by: Jenny | November 14, 2008 at 07:16 PM
I meant to say "someday" authored. Obviously I had one too many (insert funny, somewhat gay drink here) while commenting.
Posted by: Reptar | November 14, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I remember the 'Duck Butt' working title too, Reptar.
Kids love comedy references to body parts, and as a parent, I would have totally bought it with the original title.
Posted by: Tee | November 15, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Aawww it sounds really cute!
http://boards.adultswim.com/adultswim/board/message?board.id=frisky&thread.id=8953&jump=true
Boosh! Xander Crews was pretty hot but so is Chase.
Posted by: Jesse | November 16, 2008 at 02:13 AM
>>Will it be weird if I buy it?
Not at all :) If I were kidless, I think I might. But since I'm kid-laden, I've got good excuses. Go crazy Bailey. And don't, by golly, ever be ashamed of it!
Posted by: Jaime | November 17, 2008 at 01:52 PM
My son is way too into Star Wars...when you pile Obi Wan on Chewbacca in the sequel, let me know!
Posted by: Felicia | November 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
you will like these,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV3l_HnfeJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaU-G39G-Qs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLnRlontAqI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3XYvz45sYw
i promise!
lj
Posted by: laura jane | November 22, 2008 at 10:40 PM
i'm going to present "Chicken Cheeks" to my literature for children/library science class.
... i took the course for the babes
Posted by: chris | January 28, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I just orderd the book today from Amazon. I don't have any kids, but I had to have it...!
Posted by: Dingo Bluefoot | February 05, 2009 at 10:31 PM
i think i would enjoy this book more than my kids.
Posted by: ricardo | February 09, 2009 at 12:12 AM