KNOCK, KNOCK!

Hot on the heels of the chicken from Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? (2006) come 14 different superstar picture-book artists illustrating their favorite knock-knock joke. Every kid’s favorite genre of joke gets the star treatment here, and all the usual suspects are present. Saxton Freymann has two heads of lettuce say, “Knock, Knock! / Who’s There? / Lettuce. / Lettuce Who?” Turn the page: “Lettuce in!” Laurie Keller’s cow says, “Knock, Knock!” Bird says, “Who’s there?” Cow: “Impatient cow.” Bird: “Impatie—” Cow: “MOO!” Others lending pen and pun are Tomie DePaola, David Small, Peter H. Reynolds, Yumi Heo and so many more. This time out, the last two pages feature each artist relating who they’d like to have knocking at their door. Sophie Blackall says, “Anyone bearing cake.” And Chris Raschka says, “Juan Fishtwofishredfishbluefish.” No collection should be without this gem. (Picture book. 3-9)