Knuckle & Potty Destroy Happy World (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Knuckle & Potty Destroy Happy World Jeannette Hulick Proimos, James . Knuckle & Potty Destroy Happy World; written and illus. by James Proimos. Ottaviano/Holt, 2012. [80 p]. ISBN 978-0-8050-9155-7 $12.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5. Knuckle Tigerelli the tiger and his book co-star and bud, Potty Polarberg the bear, are sick of being depicted as cute and sweet in the book series in which they star. Their upcoming book, Tiger and Bear Go to Happy World, is the final straw: "How do we get out of this Happy World book? Is it even possible? Are fictional characters like us powerless?" Knuckle and Potty embark on a meandering mission (with help from Winkie the Pug, the Chicken in a Beret, and pencil erasers) to free themselves from the constraints of their author and illustrator and to take down "Happy World" (they plan to erase it) in the process. There's about as much substance here as there is in a Hallmark Hoops & YoYo greeting card, but youthful fans of that chortling duo will enjoy the similar sort of absolute goofiness served up by Proimos, and the humor occasionally comes with a slight edge (the Happy World sun, for example, shouts "Welcome to Happy World, LOSERS!") that middle-graders will appreciate. Those who have moved beyond Dr. Seuss may also be particularly amused by the Chicken in the Beret, who spouts bad Seuss-like admonitions: "Do not tell him by performing mime. Do not tell him if it's after bedtime." Proimos combines full-color graphic-novel-like comic panels with more straightforward pages of text (printed in a large chunky font) and spot illustrations, and the resulting hybrid has great appeal, particularly to readers reluctant to touch anything too long, too text-intensive, or too serious. Pastel-pink Knuckles (who looks more like a kitty than a tiger) and chartreuse Potty are cute cartoony little guys, despite their wish to appear tough, and kids looking for a fast and funny read will find it here. [End Page 475] Copyright © 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois