Here's Mud in Yer Eye! Rot, the Bravest in the World by Ben Clanton

Spuds love mud.

For the Potato Pals, mud is their natural happytat, RIGHT?

It's their favorite playground! They even eat it!

"MARVELOUS MUCK!

MUD IN OUR TOESIES! MUD IN OUR NOSES!

MUD IS GREAT... WHEREVER IT GOSES!"

So when mutant little brother Rot discovers a pristine mud pit, the mud puddle to end all mud puddles, he's just about to claim it for his own with an epic cannonball when his bossy big brother Snot comes along. Snot delights in scaring his little brother, so he tells Rot about the evil monster, The SQUIRM, who may reside in this very mud pit.

"IT'S SLIPPERY! IT'S SLIMY!

GRIMY AND GROSS--AND ALWAYS HUNGRY!"

But I'm sure this mud is probably... possibly...SQUIRM free!" says SNOT.

Don't be a scaredy spud! JUMP IN! (HE HE!")

Now Rot is scared, but he screws his courage to the sticking point and takes on the mantle of a superhero with Viking helmet and sword (actually a cooking pot and broom)

"SIR SUPER ROT, THE PIGtato! "I'm kind of a PIG DEAL!"

Rot studies his image in the mirror.

"ONE SMASHING SPUD. I'M ROOTING FOR YOU!"

Rot spots something moving beneath the turgid surface of the mud. "IT'S ALIVE!"

Is Rot a timid tuber?

But wait! It's a worm. A friendly worm. Whew!

Rot suddenly sees himself as a potent potato, turning this knowledge into a rout for the pest Snot. Can he perpetuate his ownership of the Perfect Mud Puddle? But there's still more of the Spud Bros. mighty mud fight in store in Ben Clanton's second book about the Tater Two, Rot, the Bravest in the World! (Atheneum/Simon and Schuster, 2020). Author-illustrator Clinton's quirky illustrations, done in turbid tones and his punny dialogue make this spuds in the mud tale pure giggle bait for preschool and primary readers. Kirkus Reviews' starred review calls this one "Spudtacular!" The talented Ben Clanton is also the author-illustrator of Rot, the Cutest in the World! Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea: A Narwhal and Jelly Book 1 (and sequels) and Rex Wrecks It! (See more Ben Clanton book reviews here).