BUFFALO WINGS

Reading his recipe a little too quickly, the cock-of-the-kitchen introduced in Chicks and Salsa (2005) sets out just before the start of the Big Game to fetch what he thinks are the main ingredients in the perennial football snack. Unsurprisingly, buffalo—particularly the winged sort—turn out to be hard to find. Bogan’s cartoon illustrations reinforce the hilarity of Rooster’s quest as, after futile stops at such venues as Buffalo Bob’s Wild West Rodeo, he does at last come upon a herd of earthbound buffalo and, confused, rereads his recipe. Uh-oh . . . chicken wings?!? Fortunately, the buffalo themselves are just settling down to watch the game on a big-screen TV, and their basket of delicious jalapeño hush puppies give Rooster a perfect alternative to take back to the farmyard. Closing with a pair of recipes (one of which, unfortunately, is partially hidden by the jacket flap), this latest culinary misadventure will likewise provoke equal quantities of laughter and saliva, even in non–football fans. (Picture book. 6-8)