THE LAST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

The last chocolate chip cookie leads to an adventure and kidnapping by aliens…all because one young boy used his manners.

When Jack reaches for the last treat, his mother gasps. “Where are your manners? Offer the last chocolate chip cookie to everyone else first.” Well, “everyone else” is a lot of people and includes family members, the cat, his teacher, the window cleaner, the bus driver, and the dentist. When no one local wants it, he travels the world looking for a taker. A green, bug-eyed space being is finally hungry, but not for the cookie—for Jack! Luckily, though, Splagly’s mother is teaching him the same manners Jack’s is, and he has to offer the human to everyone else first; humorously, their names and jobs line up with the same ones Jack encountered. Finally back home again (Jack’s mother takes Splagly up on his offer), Jack digs the cookie out of his pocket to eat, but even he passes. Do you want it? Rix has the timing just right, turning the joke on its ear before it gets old. And Elsom’s brilliantly colored illustrations, which appear to be digital, play up the ridiculousness of the situation. Fortunately, readers can be spared the pain of having to offer up the last cookie: there’s a recipe for replenishing the plate!

Who knew good manners could be so dangerous? (Picture book. 4-8)