Table Manners

"Dudunya, if I may say so, you look like a pig." Dudunya replies, with what looks like a piece of prosciutto and a wet string bean atop his forehead, "Chester, dear, please excuse me." And so begins one of the most strangely informative dialogues you'll likely ever hear on the topic of table manners, subtitled "The edifying story of two friends whose discovery of good manners promises them a glorious future." Chester and Dudunya's alter egos, Chris Raschka (Yo? Yes!) and Vladimir Radunsky (Yucka Drucka Droni), are--almost certainly--insane. But it's that really good sort of insane, the kind that sees through to life's deeper secrets, like the "16-Bite Potato-Eating Method" and the proper way to fold a napkin for the queen ("Only the Queen may wear her napkin as a crown!"). As Chester guides Dudunya through the mechanics of the mange ("Drinking without a glass... zebra style... ugly," "Dining without a napkin... wild boar style... filthy ugly"), Raschka and Radunsky's punchy illustrations and collages make sure that any actual learning going on doesn't interfere with the fun. And in a book filled with so many hilarious little details, you'll probably need to read it at least a few times to properly appreciate them all--except, of course, the "Shawarma Uncle" on "Chester's Chart of Full-Mouthed Speaking Accidents," which is pretty much impossible to pass by without laughing out loud. But then again, you'll probably want to study Table Manners carefully anyway, just so you, too, can be ensured of "a glorious future." (Ages 4 to 8) Paul Hughes