  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 03/15/2016 Colossal’s round-headed, jug-eared chef is back for more adventures in the second installment in the boisterous comic series. Accompanied by his trusty cauldron, Pot, and his backpack kitchen, Rutabaga begins by exploring a decrepit castle for a secret ingredient, which turns out to be a vicious, bloodthirsty spider (which makes a barf-inducing soup). One especially great story wordlessly follows Pot on a journey alone, as it gets into some heroic adventuring by itself. Elsewhere, Ru gets caught up with a melodramatic band of actors, then a crafty thief, and, finally, some mischievous gubblins, whose massive appetites lead to their downfall. All the while, Ru serves up tasty treats while Colossal delivers big laughs with his signature blocky, exaggerated figures, warmly colored small panels, and cartoonish visual jokes. The episodic format is the perfect match for Colossal’s brand of quick-fire humor and comical reactions, and Ru’s occasionally daft gullibility puts him in some dire—but hilarious—situations. Fans of the first installment—and there are many—will be eager to dig into this one. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Bulletin for the Center... - 04/01/2016 Rutabaga (a human) and Pot (an animate pot) return for another round of ridiculous adventures following their first outing in Rutabaga the Adventure Chef (BCCB 5/15) and travel the seemingly endless land of Colossal’s creation, seeking new ingredients and hoping to share amazing food with all they meet. Pot is absurdly personable, given that he is a cauldron with no facial features, and he gets more of a role in this graphic novel than in the earlier one, sharing adventures while also serving as cooking vessel, beloved companion, and hero. Rutabaga, all bluster and enthusiasm, is equally endearing, resulting in a duo one can’t help but root for, especially when they face dangerous gubblins who can’t be defeated by brawn but might be outmatched when it comes to brains. Lively illustrations (which will be in color in the bound book), liberal use of exclamation points and font changes to emphasize exaggerated points, and manga-style facial expressions keep things pitched at high drama, as Rutabaga seems to react to deathly encounters and minor disappointments with equal amounts of surprise. As with the earlier novel, there are several actual recipes throughout that foodie kids can try, with three specifically featured at the end that would be appropriate even for young cooks. While there isn’t a lot new added to this second encounter, fans will still enjoy the chance visit again with Ru and Pot. AS - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 05/01/2016 Gr 2–5—Rutabaga has returned for another round of adventure, excitement, and food. Exploring abandoned castles and haunted forests, Rutabaga and his pet pot scour the land for the rarest ingredients possible to make the most unique dishes imaginable. Once again, he is in over his head; this time, the young chef tries to assist everyone from a troupe of actors putting on a play about a poisoned meal to a befuddled old man who can't remember how his favorite recipe is made. Overall, the individual stories that comprise the book feel more tied together than in the previous installment, resulting in a more complete narrative. Colossal's anime-inspired artwork continues to serve up action and laughs, while his simple language and fast pace make this a perfect recommendation for reluctant readers. Kid-friendly recipes at the end, inspired by Rutabaga's adventures, are a nice touch that will certainly motivate some children to venture into the kitchen. - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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