‘Honey Boo Boo’ is back

New episodes of the TLC show about the state’s most famous 7-year-old return at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Alana Thompson and her family are coming to Atlanta next week to tape an episode of “Family Feud” that will pit them against their fellow TLC reality stars from “Cake Boss.”

And they’ve been promoting “How to Honey Boo Boo: The Complete Guide on How to Redneckognize the Honey Boo Boo in You.” A book tour has taken them to suburban Washington and New York in recent days. Over the weekend, they were meeting and greeting closer to home, at a Macon Wal-Mart, so we ran down to say hey.

The disclaimer at the front of the book alone makes this the best $15.99 we’ve ever spent.

“Warning! Mud boggin’, inner tubing and all the fun and games talked about in this book are performed by professional rednecks in a controlled redneck environment,” reads the delightfully oxymoronic opening statement. “The activities may be dangerous or may be inappropriate for young children … Don’t come crying to us if your kid has two thumbs (on the same hand), or if a pet teacup pig ruins your couch, or if you overdose on sketti.”

OK, then.

The entire family (minus Honey Boo Boo’s triple-thumbed infant niece) showed up to sign the book and say a quick hello to fans. There was not a lot of time to chitchat, as the efficient Wal-Mart team herded everyone through as quickly as possible. With a line stretching through the cavernous store, it was clear they had to keep things moving.

“Mama June” Shannon actually handled crowd control herself, shouting directions for how to get the book in a voice that near about shook the walls. She also bellowed instructions to those snapping photos.

“NO FLASHES!” she thundered again and again. Let that be a lesson to us all. Do not flash Mama June, or she will yell.

(By the way, we asked about a rumor that the family may relocate to metro Atlanta. Alas, it remains a rumor for now.)

Honey Boo Boo herself looked kind of tuckered out. She occasionally shouted to her sisters at the other end of the table and posed graciously for photos with whoever wanted them, but seemed kind of over the crowds.

So until the new episodes begin airing Wednesday night, we will have to keep entertained by flipping through the pages of “How to Honey Boo Boo.” It is largely a recast of past episodes, features lots of pictures and includes recipes for sketti (ingredients: spaghetti, ketchup and butter) and lemonade (ingredients: lemon juice, sugar and water), as well as a Redneckopedia and Honey Boo Boo’s pageant secrets.

Everyone including Honey Boo Boo signed it, and Mama June added a special inscription: “You are so beautimous.”

In redneckognition, we rushed home to put it in a place of honor on the bookshelf, in between the Bible and “Gone With the Wind.”