Chez Bob

Chez Bob #1

by Bob Shea

From the hilarious author of Who Wet My Pants?, Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great, and the Dinosaur Vs. series comes a kid-pleasing read-aloud about a devious alligator who learns to love!

Welcome to Chez Bob, which seems like a real restaurant ... until you realize ... it's on an alligator's NOSE! Bob's got a hidden plan for his customers: "Birds will come to eat, but I will eat the birds!" As they fly in from all over the world to dine on Bob's face, something starts to happen that takes the lazy, hungry reptile by surprise—the birds stay. "More yummy birds!" he rejoices—he'll want for nothing! But when the time is right, will Bob make the right choice?

Comic genius Bob Shea cooks up a tasty tale that proves anyone, even hungry alligators, can have a change of heart and learn to be a good friend.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Friendship, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2021

About the author

Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.

His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.

Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAZY but hungry reptile.
DEVIOUS mastermind of the perfect trap for prey.
"CHEF" at the finest birdseed restaurant around.

Well, I'll be you are pretty sure you know where this is all headed. Watch out birds, right? Not so fast. As a small business owner, Bob has responsibilities to the community. He has to strive for excellence in birdseed and service. Soon a little town springs up around Bob. He coaches a basketball team. Joins a book club. Offers a sunset dinner cruise. Maybe birds should be friends, not food. What do you think, Bob? This book is so much fun to read and filled with great messages about community and friendship.

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

LAZY but hungry reptile.
DEVIOUS mastermind of the perfect trap for prey.
"CHEF" at the finest birdseed restaurant around.

Well, I'll be you are pretty sure you know where this is all headed. Watch out birds, right? Not so fast. As a small business owner, Bob has responsibilities to the community. He has to strive for excellence in birdseed and service. Soon a little town springs up around Bob. He coaches a basketball team. Joins a book club. Offers a sunset dinner cruise. Maybe birds should be friends, not food. What do you think, Bob? This book is so much fun to read and filled with great messages about community and friendship. *Review by Darla from Red Bridge*

[Milton Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Chez Bob, a restaurant made for birds by a clever alligator. Don't miss the birdseed that is specially seasoned with Bob's favorite spices! Where did Bob get this amazing business idea? Well, his hungry stomach is to blame, of course! Bob is definitely planning on eating these friendly birds that he welcomes to eat atop his snout...or is he?

Bob Shea puts together a clever, humorous, and fun picture book! My daughter and I found ourselves giggling throughout this story and also finding our hearts touched at the end! This is a great addition to Bob Shea's library and I bet you will love this book too!

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved Bob Shea's books since even before Dinosaur vs. Bedtime burst onto the scene. My favorite has always been one of his lesser known stories, Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play with Your Food. I've read it countless times for storytime and at home. When we attended a presentation he gave in 2017 and he offered to draw us something after, he was surprised by our request. It still hangs on our bedroom wall (not the kids' to keep them from destroying it until they're older).

Bob's new book is that title's successor. It features all new characters acting out the same basic story. Though what makes it special is not the storyline itself, but the way he tells it. The wording and details. In Chez Bob, a lazy alligator is frustrated birds won't just fly into his mouth and is jealous of the grass: "Lucky grass! I wish I had seeds on me. Then I'd have all the birds I want. WAIT! THAT'S IT!" He decides to open a birdseed restaurant on his nose so birds will actually land on him and fly basically into his mouth. Except he gets so caught up in making his restaurant excellent and popular to attract as much prey as possible that he ends up bonding with the birds and becoming part of their community. I think this might be my favorite page. I'm looking forward to sharing it with more kids.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books of 2021. Bob opens a restaurant on his snout for birds, planning to eat them. Shenanigans ensue!!!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the silly title/author name combination to the funny cartoon illustrations, this book has hilarious written on every page, but also heart-warming.

[J MaK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheeky read that teaches about the importance of “human” decency and friendship.

[Bettendorf Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A predator luring its prey gets a new twist when Bob, the alligator, opens a restaurant for birds on
his nose. As usual, things do not go as planned, but in the most amusing and charming ways.
— Christine

[Autumn]

I am so angry about the pun in the title, I guess I have to read it. (Sorry Bob Shea, I love you, but this is TOO MUCH.)

[Bethany]

I have not read this book. I did laugh very loudly at the title.

[Abby Johnson]

Oh my goodness. Hilarious. The best Bob Shea in awhile and certain to have young readers and listeners giggling along.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Miss Ashley, for sharing Chez Bob with me today. Lesson learned. Kindness always matters.

[Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob is so funny!

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really hated Who Wet My Pants?, but Bob Shea redeems himself here with the tale of Bob the lazy reptile.(Is he a croc or a gator? Does it matter?) His plan to eat the local birds backfires exactly as you would expect it to, and it's lovely fun. And no one could have illustrated it all more perfectly than Shea does himself. More like this and less wet pants books, please.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob is the laziest reptile you have ever met. He wishes birds would just fly right into his mouth. So he hatches an ingenious plan...to open a birdseed restaurant on his snout, get birds to eat right there, and then gobble them up. It's a fabulous plan and it immediately seems like it will be a huge success...except one little problem. Bob kind of likes the sweet little birds.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilariously wry, colorful, and heartwarming.

[Mandyhello · Rating 5 out of 5]

the author's note :D

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully clever, laugh-out-loud story of a hungry alligator who unexpectedly finds he has a kind heart that will amuse kids and adults alike.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of both Bob Shea's books and of "animals eating other animals" as a genre. This one doesn't disappoint. The bright colorful illustrations would make it good to share in story time. I think the fun/funny story would keep children engaged. For PreK-early elementary.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has tongue in cheek humor (something Scott really appreciates). I loved seeing Alligator Bob figure out how to attract animals to his restaurant....only for them to be the main offering on the menu ;)

[Dodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always looking for good kids books, and this is a winner. The pictures animate the story well, and there is humor for both adults and kids. Chez Bob, Bob Shea admits, may be a punny play on his own name. Underlying the story are values about relationships and community.

[Cyndee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can hardly wait to read this in a Storytime. So, so good! Such a satisfying ending ♥

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud! Loved it. Great for school age, adults and probably older preschoolers.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and absurd and hilarious. I was charmed right off the bat by the title/author combo: Chez Bob by Bob Shea. Best line in the book: "As a small-business owner, Bob wanted to be part of the community. He coached the basketball team." Very, very funny.

[Rachel]

Warm fuzzies!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The character development in such a short little book is brilliant! People can change!

[Matt Good]

On the suggestion of Becky Jo, a wonderful story about an alligator that learns about community but is probably still hungry.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romp of a fun read aloud.

[deedee watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

love u bob

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and adorable!