Rot, the Cutest in the World!

Rot, the mutant potato #1

by Ben Clanton

A mutant potato learns that he’s pear- fect just the way he is in this bright, fun, and silly picture book from the creator of It Came in the Mail that will have kids collapsing in giggles (and rescuing the contents of the vegetable drawer).

Rot is a mutant potato. Like most mutant potatoes, Rot loves all sorts of games and contests. So when he sees a sign for the “Cutest in the World Contest,” he can’t wait to enter.

But when Rot realizes who he’s up against—an itty-bitty baby bunny, a little-wittle cuddly kitten, and an eenie-weenie jolly jellyfish—he loses confidence. Will the judges find room in their hearts for an adorable mutant potato?

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Food, Kids

40 pages, Hardcover

First published December 19, 2017

About the author

Ben Clanton is the author/illustrator of the Narwhal and Jelly series as well as a number of other books as IT CAME IN THE MAIL, MO'S MUSTACHE, and TATER TALES. When Ben isn't doodling up stories (and often when he is) he likes to cook, explore outdoors, and play basketball. Ben lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and kids. Find out more about Ben at www.benclanton.com.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two words: Potato butt. 'Nuf said. :)

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rot’s thinks he's the cutest potato in the world, and decides to enter a contest for the cutest being in the world. The competition’s tough: a floppy-eared bunny, a little cat and a little jellyfish. Who will win?
Bold drawings make even a potato look dynamic.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rot has so much to offer readers. First up, honesty. Yes it’s okay to like to win, yes we all compare ourselves to others and yes we all have considered doing something we are not supposed to. Then there’s Rot’s joy of being who he is regardless of how he measured up to others. And to top it all off, when he shows us his best side, it truly is hilarious, even the third time around! I value how Ben Clanton presented the idea that we all have a group we belong to, we all have our people, without making it a teachable moment, saccharine, or overly explaining the outcome, demonstrating he believes in his readers’ ability to think and draw their own conclusions.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rot, the rotten potato, decides to enter The Cutest in the World contest. When he sizes up his competition, he almost despairs. He tries to remake himself to be more like the other contestants, but that doesn’t work either. Finally, he boldly goes out and flaunts what he feels are his best qualities, and the judges—-who are all rotten fruits and vegetables themselves—-name him The Cutest.

This story has lots of kid appeal and a nice message of the futility of trying to change yourself (especially when you are a rotten vegetable).

[Miss_Cultura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otro libro corto, pero divertido, original y muy recomendado.
Las ilustraciones pueden parecer muy banales, pero cuando conoces a Rot y al resto de personajes se convertirán en otra cosa.
Son pocas páginas, pero según vas pasándolas te va conquistando.

[نسيبة العزيبي · Rating 4 out of 5]

روت، بطل القصة، بطاطا متدرنة (أو لنقل "متعفنة" مجازًا)، يحب روت أن ينقع نفسه في حمام من الطين، وأن يلتهم بقايا الطعام التي يلقي بها الناس في القمامة، كما أنه لا يمتلك أي من مقاييس الجمال التقليدية التي يستخدمها الناس لإضفاء هذه الصفة على الأشياء، لكنه رغم ذلك يرى بأنه أظرف بطاطا في العالم، وأنه قادر على خوض أي تحدٍّ من أي نوع بما في ذلك التحديق في انعكاس صورته في المرآة لساعات طويله دون كللٍ أو ملل. وربما لذلك يطير قلبه فرحًا حين يقرأ إعلانًا عن مسابقة لاختيار أظرف كائن في العالم، فيشارك فيها مدفوعًا بثقته الكبيرة بنفسه ويقينه الصادق بأنه الأظرف على الإطلاق، وأنه لذلك فائز لا محالة. لكنه يصاب بالدهشة حين يرى ما يتمتع به المتسابقون الآخرون من مقومات جمال عالية، ويشعر بخيبة الأمل حين يعبرون له عن اشمئزازهم من شكله وتعجبهم من جرأته على منافستهم وسذاجته في توقع الفوز عليهم. تهتز ثقة روب بنفسه في بادئ الأمر، ويظن بأن عليه تقليد الآخرين ليزيد من فرصته في الفوز، لكنه يتخلى عن محاولاته حين يفشل في تحقيق ذلك، فيقرر أن يشارك على طبيعته دون رتوش أو إضافات من أي نوع متحليًّا بابتسامته الكبيرة وثقته المعهودة بأنه الأظرف في العالم، لتكون المفاجأة التي لم يتوقعها أحد، حين يكتشف المتسابقون بأن لجنة التحكيم مؤلفة من خضروات وفواكه متعفنة أيضًا، لا تتمالك نفسها عند رؤية روت! فتهتف بعبارات الثناء على شكله، وتشهق من شدة الإعجاب بظرفه! وهكذا، ووسط سخط واعتراض المشاركين الآخرين، يفوز روت بمسابقة الظرافة، وتمنحه اللجنة كأس النصر!

هذه قصة ساخرة بامتياز. نعم، هي مليئة بكل القيم التي نسعى حثيثين لغرسها في أطفالنا كالثقة في النفس، ونبذ معايير التفوق الزائفة، وسطحية التفكير، والسخرية من الآخر والتعالي عليه، واحتقار ما يملك.. لكن أشد ما أعجبني هو أن الكاتب لم يخلق معجزة ليمكن بطل قصته من الفوز.. هو في الحقيقة يؤكد لنا بأن مفهوم الجمال والظرف وحتى "الفوز" نسبي دائمًا.. وربما كل تنافس على أمر نسبي هو في الأصل سعي زائف.. كبطاطا "متعفنة" لا يؤهلها للفوز إلا لجنة "متعفنة" مثلها! هل هذا ما حدث فعلًا ؟! أم أنها كانت مجرد صدفة؟😁

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mutant potato Rot enters a cuteness contest in this amusing picture-book exploration of the ideas of beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and staying true to yourself. Intimidated by his fellow contestants - an adorable bunny, cute kitten and peppy jellyfish - Rot at first tries to imitate the competition, only to decide in the end to just be himself. His decision is effective, and really resonates with the judges, themselves somewhat rotten...

Although I never would have imagined a rotting tuber vegetable making an appealing lead character in a picture-book, author/illustrator Ben Clanton managed to spin a tale in which just such a hero emerges. Rot, the Cutest in the World pairs an amusing story about imitation and being yourself with appealing artwork created using watercolors, colored pencils and (what else?) potato stamps. Recommended to readers who enjoy picture-books with a quirky, off-beat sense of humor, as well as to those looking for children's stories addressing the theme of self esteem and the confidence to be yourself.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my son for Valentine's Day. I decided to read it without him lol. I loved the message that you should just be yourself. The artwork was very cute and I loved it when he said, "Then I showed them my best side." They showed a picture of his mutant potato rump. Totally adorable!

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to give this four stars, and then thought "Who am I trying to kid! I loved this book!" Rot really is the cutest in the world.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars because Ben Clanton spent a week in my school district and I am convinced he is The Nicest in the World.

[Anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had to be one of the funniest pictures books I saw all year. And the end message is loving yourself for who you are.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

We came to this book because of Narwhal and Jelly . . .and this book has the same kind of fun and quirkiness!

Our favorite was when Rot turns around. Just the cutest!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most things about this book. Rot is a fun character who enjoys being himself, but when faced with a cute bunny, cuddly kitten, and peppy jellyfish he decides to try to be more. When that doesn't work out he struts out onto the stage as the one and only ROT THE CUTEST IN THE WORLD. While the book is cute and funny, I'm not a fan of the butt crack joke (apparently Rot's best side and 'the end' of the book). But if that sort of joke doesn't bother you, this is a fun book about beauty or cuteness being in the eyes of the beholder.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, and I get what it was going for, but it misses the mark in a couple of ways. Rot, the ugly cute potato, enters a beauty contest, where he is competing against more traditionally adorable creatures. He tries to fit in, and eventually just decides to be himself, and surprise! he wins. Because the judges look like him. So, people will only like you and think you are attractive if you look like them, I guess? I don't think that is the message the author meant, but it was there, so it ends up a so-so for me.

[♥Sabulous ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rot is indeed the cutest in the world!
This story follows a potato's quest to win the Cutest In The World Award! He goes up against typical cute animals and Rot starts to doubt himself. BUT! in the end, he decides to strut his stuff for the judges fully himself.

Awesome picture book for people who identify their spirit animal as a potato.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was stinking adorable! It's one of those perspective sort of books, only more of a 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' type.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 50,000 stars if I could. I liked the plot and the characters. I really enjoyed it!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about being oneself and excepting those who may be different.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My coworker saw me reading this one and said, "OH! That one has a great ending!" AND SHE WAS SO RIGHT!

I laughed and laughed and laughed.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what exactly happened at that contest, but ... potato butt. My kids will love it.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter adores this book. I gave it to her for Christmas and it’s been the bedtime choice 3 days in a row since. It’s funny, the kind of funny that’s accessible even to perceptive preschoolers- unibrows & sly jokes about rear ends.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Rot book so far!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rot is a mutant potato. His love of contests -- and total lack of self-awareness -- prompts him to enter the Cutest in the World Contest, which he wins against all reason.

My preschooler found this story hilarious. A rotten potato enters a cute contest and wins. What could be funnier? The drawings of Rot are even lovably ugly. But I didn't care for it ... and not just because of the unnecessarily crass, potato butt joke.

This book espouses the classic just be yourself moral. This moral is problematic in itself as it is often misinterpreted as a free pass for bad manners and a complete lack of self-regulation. Within this particular story, I find it to be sadly misplaced.

The forum for this story is a beauty contest, which is a competition of commercial attractiveness. It's not venue in which it's what's inside that counts. Beauty may only be skin deep, but a beauty contest is all about the skin. It's an event to rank superficial appearance, according to mainstream society's prevailing ideal. In reality, whenever non-commercial beauties are encouraged to compete against commercial beauties within the beauty arena, it's usually to their detriment. It's like non-athletes being encouraged to compete against athletes. And we're all seen the train wreck caused by the father who forces his hopelessly nonathletic son to play sports, right? Unless it is in a sappy television movie, the frumpy dumpy girl with a heart of gold is never going to be Prom Queen. And if Carrie by Stephen King taught us anything, it's that making a non-traditional beauty Prom Queen in the spirit of egalitarianism is a bad idea.

I think it's critically important to help young people be as self-aware as possible. They need to be encouraged to play to their strengths and acknowledge their limitations. There's nothing wrong with pushing oneself, but going too far out of one's depth can be disastrous. Loving -- or, at least, liking or being at peace with -- oneself despite one's flaws, both real and perceived, is important for good mental health, self-esteem, and happiness. However, being completely oblivious to one's shortcomings and overconfidence in one's abilities is a recipe for disaster.

I'd really like to see a children's book in which the main character recognizes that s/he doesn't look like the other characters and that it's okay, but while doing something ridiculous like entering a beauty contest is not the place for this.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clever picture book has a great growth mindset message for young readers: beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you are your cutest when you’re being yourself. Rot, a mutant potato, loves games and contests. So when he finds out about a cuteness contest, he signs up right away. But when he sees that the other contestants are super-adorable, he begins to have doubts about himself. Hilarious illustrations (including a shot of Rot’s “best side”) will have kids giggling as they read to find out who is the cutest in the world.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, current. Would not buy it but checked it out from the library. It is part of bibliotherapy study. I would say that the message is of course be yourself BUT and here is the big but...the judges are all rotten so then the message becomes choose a winner based on how you see them. If the judges were all bunnies, the bunny would have won, etc. I think something gets lost in the messaging. There needed to be more to the solution then just looking like each other...sends the wrong message to the reader.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and it has a good theme!

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not possibly love this more!!!!! And who knew mutant potatoes had such cute butts?

[Anna W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a very cute book. Narrative follows Rot, a somewhat rotten, ugly looking potato. Rot decides to enter a "cutest in the world" contest, but the others in the contest (a cute, fluffy bunny; a kitty; and peppy pink jellyfish) don't think much of Rot or his appearance. They intimidate him and make him feel bad about his own appearance in comparison to theirs. Rot decides to try to look like the others, much to their dismay and his own dislike.
The one thing I do not like about this book is that, in the end, when Rot wins the contest because the judges are just like him, it somewhat ostracizes those who are cute, fluffy, and "perfect." While these contestants weren't nice to rot, I don't feel it is a good idea to shame others for being one way or another. I'm not sure that was the intended message of the book, but just as Rot shouldn't be shamed for looking different than the other contestants, nor should the others be shamed for not looking like Rot. Rant over. ;)
Certainly a cute read for K-3 level students... there's even a funny spot with a "potato butt" in case your students or kids need a quick chuckle.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the exploration of discovering who you are, children will giggle in delight with the hilarious adventure of a mutant potato, and his search to be the “Cutest in the world.”

When Rot learns that there is a “Cutest in the world contest” he can’t wait to enter, after all, he knows he is absolutely the cutest. Yet, when Rot enters the contest he suddenly finds himself competing against an adorable, fluffy bunny, a cute, cuddly kitten, and a peppy, pink jellybean. Afraid that he might not be as cute, Rot quickly changes his appearance to be like them, but none of it makes him feel happy. So, Rot decides to be himself... and? Well, you just have to read to find out!

Beauty is all in the eye of the beholder, in this adorable sweet read that teaches a very valuable lesson about confidence and beauty.

you can find more of my reviews and giveaways in my syndicated newspaper column: For the Love of Books-Dixon's Independent Voice, as well on my Instagram: amy_fortheloveofbooks.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never before have I read a book where the main character is a mutant potato. But, that's what Rot is. One day he decides to enter a "Cutest in the world" contest. He's completely confident he'll win - until he sees the other contestants. Then Rot's insecurity makes him try to be something he's not (he tries to be like the other contestants), until he finally just decides to be himself.
This is a really creative story with a great moral that it's always best to just be yourself, and to love who you are. Own your mutant rotten self, and disregard all those nay-sayers. Even a mutant potato called Rot can win a "cutest in the world" contest.


Quick note for myself containing a spoiler:
The unexpected twist to this story is that the judges end up being rotten fruit, so of course they choose Rot as the winner. We're rooting for Rot to win, but being up against a baby bunny, cuddly kitten, and jolly jellyfish makes his odds of winning seem almost zero. I thought this was a really creative and funny way to let Rot win. Also, fantastic potato butt. *Giggle*