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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

He writes, he acts, he tells jokes: Michael Ian Black will showcase it all in Spokane

Michael Ian Black is one of those guys you know you’ve seen somewhere before.

“Wet Hot American Summer,” for instance, the 2001 comedy that has spawned a prequel and a sequel for Netflix. The late, lamented comedy sketch show “The State.” “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” Countless episodes of various late night TV shows and iterations of “I Love” this or that decade on VH1.

When he’s not doing that work, he can be found on Twitter (@michaelianblack), where he’s been known to help a fan out. Just ask @elliejeannette, who wasn’t going to be able to catch Black’s act at the Spokane Comedy Club this weekend until he put her on the guest list. He’s also decidedly political. An example from Wednesday: “Impeach President Pence! (Trying it out – feels pretty good.)”

He can write more than 140 characters at a time, too. He co-wrote, with Meghan McCain, the 2012 book “America, You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter to Freedom” and also that year released “You’re Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations.”

But we’re here to talk about his children’s books. There have been seven since his first one, 2009’s “Chicken Cheeks,” which literally is a collection of funny names for animal rear ends. (“The hound dog heinie,” “Duck-billed platypus gluteus maximus.”) There was “Naked!,” and “I’m Bored,” and “A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea,” all of which earned starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly. His latest, published last year, is “A Child’s First Book of Trump.”

So while the grownups can head to the Comedy Club to catch Black’s act through Saturday night, pint-sized fans can head to Auntie’s Bookstore Saturday during daylight hours. At 11 a.m., he’ll host a special storytime, reading from “Chicken Cheeks” and some of his other books for kids. A 1 p.m. reading and signing will feature his adults works.

Michael Ian Black storytime, 11 a.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Book Store, 402 W. Main Ave. Free.

Events for adults: Reading and signing, 1 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Book Store. Free. Also performing at the Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague Ave, at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday. $15-$22, visit http://www.spokanecomedyclub.com for tickets.