When you are a mutant potato that knows he is perfect the way his is, what do you do? Enter a The Cutest in the World Contest! However, Rot soon realizes not everyone thinks he is so cute. What is a poor mutant potato to do?
Ben Clanton tells you in Rot, the Cutest in the World!
Clanton’s signature style is all over the place. Each page has his less than traditional look and feel. His words are sassy, funny and serious all at once. He uses the colors expected on a mutant potato and on a cute bunny, cat and so on. They are simple, minimal details but what is needed to make his message come across: Be Proud You Are a Mutant Potato!
The kicker (and spoiler alert) to this is not that we know “be yourself” is the theme and Rot is going to win, it is how he wins. I think the deck was slightly stacked in his favor to start. Perhaps Rot is a ringer for the contest? As the judges are, not your usual idea of what judges tend to look like in a “Cuteness” contest. But then again, beauty is in the eye (or eyes) of the beholder.
You might know Clanton from his Narwhal and Jelly series. Or perhaps It Came in the Mail book. Or perhaps from a number of other tales. Regardless, each book has a unique theme making it so if one book is not a hit, try another.