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Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose: A Graphic Novel, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. Penguin Workshop, Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 


"A little later ... 

Inspector! I've been slapped 
by a fish 
and I demand justice! 

Sorry, ma'am, you'll have 
to contact Fish and Wildlife. 
This is the lost and found. 

Well, I am looking for a 
lost chicken.

Would you settle for a 
xylophone?
"

Inspector Cobb is having a very boring day caring for the town of Simpleton. Nothing is going wrong at all. Lunchtime breaks up the monotony; the inspector settles in to have his usual lunch: tea and an egg sandwich. When the egg falls out of his sandwich onto the ground, he is off to find another egg. The cafe offers no help for his dilemma. The chef has no eggs available. 

With the inspector offering to wait and check for anything unusual taking placein the cafe, the chef closes the cafe until he can find an egg. After all, unbeknownst to the inspector, the restaurant houses many pets and an elephant cook. The closure sets off a series of humorous events in a place where a scarcity of eggs is causing big problems. As he returns to the cafe eggless, the chef sees a woman and her chicken (Beaky Barnes) awaiting service. Perhaps the chicken will supply the needed egg. Readers will see how that works out for the chef when a zany adventure starring a fish who needs help to get to college, an elephant whose heart is broken, a flattened bike, and a series of other funny scenes play out. The silly story is sure to delight young readers. 

In his first graphic novel, David Ezra Stein weaves his characteristic humor through artwork that his many fans will recognize. The action is neverending, the cast of characters is numerous and dramatic, and the story is fully realized in Mr. Stein's signature style. Do take time to read the advertisements that are included as the story moves forward.  

It's my understanding that this is the first book in a new series. Don't miss it! 

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