Everyone Loves Bacon

PreS-Gr 2—This story follows the current craze for bacon and imagines Bacon, the character, as a type of matinee idol. Everyone wants to sit beside him, everyone thinks he smells so good. Bacon lets the attention go to his head. He starts thinking he is too good for old friends. He adopts a fancy lifestyle. He is the toast of the town…until he gets eaten! The diner setting has a late 50s/early 60s vibe, from the cars in the parking lot to the items on the diner counter. Everything has a bright, mid-century, nostalgic look. The various food characters are distinct identities, which are brought to life through the illustrations. Bacon starts with Egg, Waffle, and Pancake. As his popularity grows, he interacts with all kinds of different foods, including Pie and Milkshake. Bacon starts driving a fancy car, powered by a child's hand, which sets up the final joke (and the empty plate). The deeper message about the fleeting nature of fame and the problem of being self-centered may be lost in all the slapstick humor, but kids will appreciate the clever tone.