After becoming ill from eating too many tarts, Princess Lenore is certain that only possessing the moon will cure her. However, none of the king’s lofty advisors can figure out how to capture it. Only when the court jester consults the princess herself is the solution found. Soft illustrations decorate this timeless fable.
Many Moons
The narrator’s curse begins when she is told by her math teacher that math is all around. And so it is — including every part of this very funny book as it examines math and its functions. Text and illustration are seamlessly one allowing the book to be appreciated on several levels.
Math Curse
No matter how hard Ruby tries to get her baby brother to say the names of the objects around him, Max will only say “Bang!” One day, however, Ruby gets a big surprise from Max’s first real word. Understated humor and bright, bold illustrations appeal to children and their adults.
Max’s First Word
Bovine buddies Minnie and Moo are inspired afterreading about Zorro. Moo decides that there are justnot enough heroes and so she and her friend don disguises to become Juanita del Zorro del Moo andDelores del Zorro del Minnie. The heroic team set off to save thechickens and the farmer, providing lots of laughsalong the way. Young readers will enjoythis installment of the humorous series about twoloveable, laughable, and valiant cows.
Minnie and Moo and the Musk of Zorro
The engaging pig first met in Olivia (Atheneum, 2000)introduces counting from one to ten. Youngchildren will enjoy Olivia’s mischief and silly posesin this simple but appealing counting book.
Olivia Counts
While you’re on the beach, you can count from 1 to 10 by feet — combining numbers of feet and then multiplying them all the way to 100, which is ten crabs … or 100 snails if you really count slowly! Colorful, bug-eyed, cartoon-like critters further enliven this jaunty approach to numbers.
One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book
Seven-year old Ramona tries to take charge when her dad loses his job and her mother goes back to work out of the house full-time. Readers will see themselves in the Quimby household and are sure to chuckle at Ramona’s antics.
Ramona and Her Father
On Scranimal Island, there are many curious creatures that may seem familiar, but are really the product of the imagination. Are the critters animal, vegetable, or mineral? Only those who play with words will know for sure!
Scranimals
Sheila Rae taunts Louise with her peppermint stick, not wanting to share it, and uses her experience to trick her sibling. Louise eventually gets some of the candy, and Sheila Rae gets her comeuppance in a very satisfying ending. Children of all ages will see themselves in these characters, first introduced in Sheila Rae, the Brave (Greenwillow, 1987).
Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick
Ugly ogre parents make an even uglier ogre son named Shrek. Of course Shrek seeks (on the back of a donkey) and finds a bride — an ogress even uglier than he! Enjoy the rich language used in the now 20-years-old and still-funny picture book that inspired a movie adaptation.
Shrek!
Morris, Doris, Boris and Norris can’t get much right – including eating a banana – but they do know how tolaugh at themselves (and get readers chuckling!). Infour short chapters, perfect for newly independentreaders, the four friends enjoy simple things in theirown silly way.
The Know Nothings
In this outrageous send-up of well-known fairy tales (especially “The Princess and the Pea”), Princess Pauline passes all the necessary tests to win Prince Drupert, including inventing the pizza. She decides, however, that her real talent is as a chef, and so she leaves the prince to open her own pizza parlor. Exaggerated illustrations add to the comical tone of this parody.
The Princess and the Pizza
The secret Island is perfect — with one exception. It’s missing its prince, who was stolen years before as a baby. Now a hag named Odge Gribble, an old wizard, and other memorable characters have set off on a quest to London to rescue the child and reunite him with his parents.
The Secret of Platform 13
The incomparable author and illustrator team retells traditional tales such as the “Gingerbread Man” and the “Little Red Hen” in inventive and hilarious ways, sure to make readers familiar with the originals laugh out loud. Even the traditional format of the book is changed to suit the absurdity of the new versions, for a memorable reading experience.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
What would life be like without benefit of the vowel ‘O’? That’s just what the people of Ooroo must cope with when despotic, O-hating pirates take over their island. Wordplay makes the humorous, original tale even funnier in this classic tale by James Thurber.
The Wonderful O
What kind of house do you live in? In this classic beginner book from Dr. Seuss, the simple, bouncy rhymes show all kinds of strange creatures living in the different rooms of a house. Some are rather nice and some not at all. The amusing, silly tale will keep a youngster’s attention to the very end.
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!
Fred, Sam, and Joe – the boys who travel by The Book, become known as “Brave Fred, Berserk Sam, and Magic Joe” when they travel back in time to meet Leif Eriksson and his Vikings. The boys seem as much like aliens to the Vikings as the ancient runes do to them; that is, until they write their own saga! Readers will learn a little along the way as they laugh out loud with this book from The Time Warp Trio series.
Viking It and Liking It
The first in a series of autobiographical chapter books about Tomie dePaola’s early years, this story focuses on his family’s move from their apartment in Meriden, Connecticut, to the now famous address, 26 Fairmount Avenue. This Newbery Honor book is sprinkled with humorous sketches, and is ideal for reading aloud and for the sharing of family stories.
26 Fairmount Avenue
Left alone to graze, Borreguita outsmarts the fierce coyote who thinks the small lamb would be a tasty lunch. This tale from Ayutla, Mexico, is retold with sly humor and illustrated with dramatic, full color illustrations.
Borreguita and the Coyote
When Mama announces that the relatives are coming and starts the flurry of preparations, Baby Bubba and his dog, Beau take refuge down in the mud hole. Big Bubba finds them, washes them and dresses Baby Bubba in a brand new stiff sailor suit. When Cousin Arlene, wearing a frilly dress, and her yippy little dog, Bitsy, arrive, the foursome find paradise in the mud hole. Comic illustrations add to the understated text for a satisfying, funny, and recognizable family story with a decidedly Texas twinkle.
Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives
Chet Gecko is a sassy, wisecracking fourth-grade detective. Along with Natalie Attired, his mockingbird sidekick, he solves the many mysteries that plague Emerson Hicky Elementary. Each pun-filled novel introduces new silliness to this Sam Spade-esque series.
Chet Gecko, Private Eye Series
When Clorinda sees a ballet, she decides to follow her dream of becoming a ballerina and so leaves her comfortable farm life for the big city. At last, the charming cow-ballerina gets her big chance and though she performs only once, her talent is welcomed back on the farm. The rhyming story is illustrated in a lighthearted, comical style.
Clorinda
When a boa constrictor arrives as a gift from her son, the old woman enjoys his company. She soon learns, though, that Crictor is more than just an unusual pet. From helping her teach her students the alphabet to capturing unscrupulous burglars, Crictor’s special talents earn him the friendship and thanks of the entire town.
Crictor
Short rhyming text contrasts with illustrations of huge dinosaurs who are ailing with sniffles and coughs. Of course, the dinosaurs (with their names tucked into each page) are being helped by a caring but seemingly small adult in this companion to How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?