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Video courtesy of ChronicleBooks: “It’s an E-mergency! The letter E took a tumble and the only way to get her back on her foot is for people to stop using her. But who can take her place? The other letters have to make a decision ASAP. Z is too sleepy and Y asks way too many questions. Thankfully, O rolls in to try and save the day. Now E can rost up and got bottor . . . as long as ovorybody follows the rulos. Chock-full of verbal and visual puns, this zany book by Ezra Field-Meyer and New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld is sure to tickle both the brain and the funny bone.”
Publisher’s synopsis: This hilarious and inventive drawing book by animator Chris McDonnell features page after page of off-the-wall gags and fillin doodle prompts. McDonnell’s infectious humor recalls MAD magazine at its finest. Ideal for an instant laugh or for anyone looking to spark their creative side, this interactive volume is the ultimate resource for fun with pen and paper.
Authors Christine and Christopher Russell are a husband and wife team writing children’s books together. The Warrior Sheep Go West is their second book, following closely on the hooves of The Quest of the Warrior Sheep (February 2011). Christopher Russell had a successful career in British television drama before becoming a children’s novelist and Christine has always been closely involved in his work.
We’re often asked how we collaborate, if we ever have disagreements and if so, how we settle them.
Well the initial ideas, wherever they have sprung from, are developed on the hoof. Sitting at a desk at this early stage sends us to sleep so we plot the storylines and invent characters whilst we’re walking, usually on the beach or the cliffs near our home. There’s nothing like a howling gale to keep the brain spinning. Then we take turns at writing chapters. Whichever one of us is the bravest or keenest dives in first and hands the results to the other. And that’s when the fur sometimes flies. But disagreements are usually resolved during heated but short debates – or maybe that should read explosions – and then one or other of us goes back to the drawing board and tries again. We don’t always wait until we’re both happy with a chapter. Sometimes it’s better to plough on regardless then go back and revise bit by bit.
The one thing we never do is sit side by side at a desk working. Christopher needs peace and quiet. And he writes longhand! Yep. He’s Mr Biro. Well, you can chew the end of a pen but it’s not easy to chew a laptop. Christine works straight onto the keyboard and revises a million times per page.
It’s unusual for two people to write together. And even more unusual if they’re married to each other. But we’re used to being under each other’s feet the whole time. Until recently Christopher was the sole writer. He produced scripts for a number of major television series in the UK. Christine helped at initial ideas stage and with plotting and then later in the process with script editing.
The same applied for the first four novels Christopher wrote for children. But then we got the idea for the Warrior Sheep Series and decided to have a go at actually writing together. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And it seems to be working: we’re having fun and we love the thought that our efforts are making people laugh.
In The Warrior Sheep Go West, the follow up to the critically acclaimed sleeper hit The Quest of the Warrior Sheep, by Christine and Christopher Russell, the courageous and loveable ovine heroes are back for another sheep-tastic adventure with, if possible, even more hilarious fun than before. The “Eppingham Posse” of Oxo, Links, Jaycey, Wills, and Sal hoof it to Las Vegas for a new epic mission. This time, it is the entirety of sheepdom that hangs in the balance, and it will take their combined fleecy genius to outwit the monster named Red Tongue (evading in the process a mad scientist, joyriding teenagers, a flash flood, a sword-wielding magician, and a menacing bear) and save the, ahem, eweniverse.
Children’s author Jeff Kinney continues to pump out his Wimpy Kid—related books—and for good reason. To date, there are five books in the series with a sixth in the works and each installment is as charming, fun, and engaging as the last.
Kinney’s latest effort, The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, isn’t really a continuation of the series. Rather, it’s an interesting take on a children’s journal with page after page of fun fill-in questions, comics, and drawing opportunities. Sure to tide enthusiastic Kinney fans over until the November release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6, The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book will also prove to be valuable keepsake for parents. This is because the series of prompts featured in the journal encourages kids to record information about who they are now, often cheekily referencing the fact that children will want to remember these things when they’re “old,” which is 30-years-old in Greg Heffley’s world.
The book opens up with a prompt about desert island picks, featuring spaces for children to write in their favorite video games, songs, books, and movies, but this is just the beginning. Though many of the journal’s 224 pages are left blank with the intention of being used for actual journaling, there are dozens of fun writing opportunities that will enable parents to get to know their kids better (if they’re allowed to read the journal), while also enabling kids to get to know themselves better. It’s rare that children are encouraged to write outside of school and chances are that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to illustrate what’s in their brain, record their finest moments, write five things nobody knows about them, or make their own comics if it weren’t for Kinney’s journal.
Though some prompts are framed in a way that seems sort of trivial, like having kids design their dream house, practice their autograph, or create a sandwich to be named after them—all for when they become “rich and famous” (which is referenced several times throughout the journal), it’s all in good fun and, if actually followed through with, children and parents alike will be happy to have this keepsake when the little ones aren’t so little anymore.
Last month, in what was believed to be the biggest book release of the year, Jeff Kinney added another addition to his increasingly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: The Ugly Truth. This chapter of Greg Heffley’s life is chronicled in the same diary/illustration style so many children have come to know and love, but this time around the loveable protagonist is on the cusp of that very rocky period known as puberty. Greg finds himself in all kinds of new and unsettling situations, like sitting though boys-only classes devoted to “the facts of life” or getting cornered by his gammie for “the talk” and though nothing groundbreaking is ever revealed to him about the intricacies of adult life, it’s clear that young Greg is struggling to walk the fine line between childhood and young adulthood.
To make matters more difficult, a summertime argument is drawn out for months, forcing Greg to return to middle school without the much-needed companionship of his goof of a best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Worse yet, Greg’s mom has also decided to return to school for a semester, leaving he and his brothers and father to fend for themselves. Greg may be incredibly smart and perceptive for his age, but he’s still too immature to admit to his mother- and himself- that at this point in his life he needs his mom around for more than just making dinner and washing dirty laundry; he needs her presence and guidance.
In each edition of the Wimpy Kid series it’s always seemed as if Greg wanted to grow up quickly, but now that things are changing faster than he’d like them to he’s forced to navigate the often complicated world of girls and social circles on his own. In the Ugly Truth, it’s clear that Greg just wants things to go back to the way they were.
Chances are Kinney will continue riding this series out, which means young readers will just have to wait and see where life takes Greg Heffley.
Reviews by Children: This category gives children and young adults the opportunity to express their opinion of a book—after all, they are the intended audience!
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009)
Source: Publisher
This book is part of the “I So Don’t Do…” series about a middle school girl named Sherry who has the ability to interact with ghosts, including her mother, a former police officer, with whom Sherry solves mysteries. These books are like funny, modern Nancy Drew mysteries with a ghost-twist.
I really liked I So Don’t Do Spooky because it is about how Sherry and her mother (ghost mother) solve the mystery about who is threatening Sherry’s new stepmother. Sherry’s stepmother is a strict but very nice teacher at Sherry’s middle school (her nickname is “The Ruler”!). Like the rest of the series, this book is a mixture of realistic fiction, science fiction, mystery and humor. I would recommend this book and the rest of the series! In particular, I would recommend these books for girls ages 9-13.
It's the day of the Pink Girls Pink-nic and Mama has come down with the chickenpox (or something of the likes). Daddy steps in to save the day, but how can a dad go to a "Pink-nic?" Boys do not wear pink—right?
Manners, manners, manners. The oh-so important skill: manners! We need them all year round but somehow they seem extra important during the holiday season. Here are a couple of books that have an encouragingly humorous take on socially acceptable behavior. I have read each one and give my complete seal of approval. I've included the publisher's synopsis for your benefit, thank you!
Publisher's synopsis:A hilarious look at good (and bad) behavior!
Based on
Emily Post’s bestselling etiquette book, published in 1922, here’s an
uproarious picture book that takes rules about behavior and turns them
upside down. When Mother brings home Post’s big blue book—it’s all
about minding your manners—there sure are a lot of new rules to follow:
No slumping in chairs, no leaning on your elbows at the table, no shouting at the top of your lungs. Mother
is delighted, but the kids are not. What they need is a clever plan to
get rid of that pesky book once and for all. But how? Turns out the
answer’s easy—they just have to play by the rules.
With actual
quotes and characters from Post’s book woven into the story, here’s an
uproarious look at being on your best behavior . . . and on your worst!
Publisher's synopsis:“Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you.”
—Socrates (the Greek philosopher), circa 470-399 B.C.
Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are Otters. OTTERS! But he doesn’t know anything about otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends? Just treat otters the same way you’d like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl.
In her smart, playful style Laurie Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor—simply follow the Golden Rule!
Hooray! I can finally say that I have read an Ivy and Bean book. And let me tell you, I thought it was fantastic.
Ivy and Bean are deliciously-devilish girls all wrapped up in childhood innocence. They are best friends: so different, yet so alike. After they convince their parents to let them join ballet class—it takes some serious begging due to the girls history of not sticking to their hobbies—they decide that they may not have made the right choice. After many laughable attempts to ditch class, they come to the conclusion that the only thing to do is runaway. This is where the hilarious adventure begins and quirky-but-wholesome lessons are learned.
The combination of Annie Barrows' ludicrous plot and Sophie Blackall's charmingly-distinctive illustrations, make a wonderful and entertaining early chapter book. A great choice for kids making the plunge into the world of 'longer books'.
An excerpt from chapter one, Ballet Or Bust:
"Bean was at Ivy's house on the day it arrived. They were supposed
to be subtracting, but they were tired of that so they ripped open the
package and sat sat down side by side on Ivy's couch to look at The Royal Book of the Ballet." Read the whole first chapter...
Publisher's synopsis: Finally! After begging their parents for ballet lessons, Ivy and Bean
finally get what they want...well, not exactly. Much to their surprise,
it turns out ballet lessons do not include karate chops and roundhouse
kicks to the villain's heart. The girls have no interest in learning
how to dance gracefully, but they promised their parents they would
finish the entire ballet course! When it comes time for Ivy and Bean to
participate in the ocean-themed class recital, the girls must figure
out a way to get out of it without breaking their promises.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review Published: September 14, 2009 Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer (Author), Dan Santat (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 36 pages Publisher: Sterling (August 1, 2009) What to expect: Talent Shows, Ability, Chickens, Domestic animals, Humor In life, we always find groups. Groups of like-minded beings (animals and people). Groups typically stick together because of race or breed, some stick together because of shared talents. It is usually these shared talents that give us purpose and sheer enjoyment in life. Sometimes we like to try new things and set new goals. And, sometimes our goals feel out of reach, especially when others are trying their hardest to bring us down. When this happens, we often just need a little inspiration. When Marge and Lola, two chickens, enter a talent contest to win tickets to see "Elvis Poultry" live in concert, they have to dig deep to overcome a flock of taunting ducks so that they can find the talent they posses within themselves. When times get tough, Marge and Lola find inspiration in the cows who jump over the moon! Do they win the talent contest? No story spoiling here, sorry! What I will...
Read the rest of this post
Jeremy Tankard has certainly found the right frequency when it comes to connecting with children. Bird, the star of two fantastic picture books, is a character whose personality has been developed with brilliant accuracy to portray the honest nature of children. Bird first appeared as his cantankerous self in Grumpy Bird. He returns to us in fine form for Boo Hoo Bird. The book shares many different ideas on making boo boos feel better. Tankards wording is precise, and his illustrations have perfect comedic timing. Perceptive parents should welcome discussions at the end of this book to talk about the camaraderie between Bird and his friends and their ability to
express empathy even when Bird is at his worst. Tankard delivers an excellent
message of compassion. This is such a relate-able book for children, and parents will find it hilarious. It's short, sweet, and easy to read over-and-over again--and you will have to!
Publisher's synopsis: Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head.
"Boo hoo hoo!" he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A
cookie? A bandaid? Bird's friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and
Fox are full of sweet and funny ideas.
Perfectly pitched
and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal
experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered
a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to come up with just the
right way to give comfort.
About the author: "After a childhood of drawing and writing I attended the Alberta College
of Art and Design where I studied drawing and printmaking. I worked as
a graphic designer and typesetter before embarking on a career in
illustration. After a few years of commercial illustration I went back
to storytelling and began writing and illustrating my own books." Add this book to your collection:Boo Hoo Bird
Birds of a Feather is a brilliant book with a purpose: to introduce children to idioms. Oelschlager and Hegan have done an excellent job of helping children understand some very absurd idioms. Each idiom is illustrated with the literal version, then the objective is to guess the "real" interpretation of the phrase. The answers are provided upside down in the corner of each double page spread. Young children are very literal thinkers and it's hard for them to grasp abstract concepts. This book manages to show the absolute silliness that comes about from certain sentences, and gently shows children that some words, when put together, can have very different meanings. Humor, when done correctly, can be one of the most effective ways to teach a child something new -- this duo have their humor "on the nose"!
Publisher's synopsis: Children are innately curious about words, especially phrases that make
them laugh ("Ants in your pants!"), sound silly ("Barking up the wrong
tree" or "Goosebumps") or trigger images that tickle a child's sense of
the absurd ("Like a bull in a china shop"). Birds of a Feather
introduces children to the magic of idioms words that separately have
one meaning, but together take on something entirely different. Birds
of a Feather introduces idioms with outlandish illustrations of what
the words describe literally. The reader then has to guess the "real"
meaning of the phrases (which is upside down in the corner of each
spread). At the end of the book, the reader is invited to learn more
about these figures of speech.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (March 24, 2009)
What to expect: Mother and daughter relationships, Father and daughter relationships, Humor
Oh, the humor! My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life essentially defines the quintessential spirit of parent-child relationships. It's a picture book that even adults will appreciate reading to themselves -- giving it to your own mother would certainly be a way to show her that you appreciate her now, even if you couldn't show it as a child.
Everyone likes her.
She looks nice.
She bakes great cookies and makes me feel better when I have a bad day.
But
would a really nice momdoembarrassingthingslike kiss me in public
and tell loud jokes that no one thinks are funny? Well, my mom does
those terrible things and worse - that's why I am sure that I
have the most embarrassing mom in the world and that my mom is trying
to ruin my life...
Or is she?
Mom is illustrated beautifully as a classic American mom from the 1950's -- a real "June Cleaver". She does everything right, this includes: making boo-boos stop hurting, and helping people fall asleep. But ... there are five ways that she is trying to ruin her daughter's life, including talking too loudly (that's me). When Mom's daughter decides to take action, a comedic trail of events unravel, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's Runaway Bunny (only with a modern take and no bunnies included), the end result ... mom in jail! Mom uses her one phone call to contact Dad.
Guess what? It turns out that Dad is also trying to ruin his daughter's life. He makes her do her homework (gasp), and worst (hold your breath) ... clean her room -- sacrilege. Poor Dad ends up in jail, too. But wait a minute ... who will make dinner, who will read a bed-time story? Perhaps parents are pretty favorable after all. I am not going to tell you the ending, but I am going to tell you that Kate Feiffer, with her pitch-perfect writing skills, and Diane Goode, whose artwork corresponds flawlessley, have got this book SO right! I urge you to check-it-out.
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (February 24, 2009) What to expect: Sports, humorous songs
It's still National Poetry month, but even more importantly (for some) it's baseball season. This book will certainly be a hit with sports fanatics as well as those of us who appreciate a good rhyme. From my experience as a bookseller, parents who truly appreciate poetry
will pick up a new Alan Katz book and purchase it straight away without
even reading it. On the other hand, I had never read one of his books
before. I was missing out -- H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S!
Going Going Gone! and other silly dilly sports songs is a terrific collection of poems that have been written to match the tunes of many well known songs. The opening "silly dilly" song is titled On Top of the Bleachers and is paired with the the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey".
"On top of the bleachers, that's where we just sat. Dad bought me a peanut, a scorecard, and hat."
Alan Katz has managed to capture genuine sporting moments for better or worst. Dad Took Me to Go Fishing, set to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", is a a pricless little song about a father son fishing trip. They have no luck catching a fish, so they stop by the store to purchase one that Dad can claim as his own catch when they go home to mom. We're Choosing Up Sides is set to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus" and is all about choosing up sides for the basketball team -- nobody likes to chosen last.
Each illustration by David Catrow is rendered in watercolors, colored pencil, and ink, and complete the over-all appeal of this book by adding an extra dose of over-the-top absurdity that children won't be able to resist -- especially boys. Clever, cool, witty, and very sportive, are just a few words that could be used to describe this book. Be sure to check out the bestsellingTake Me Out of the Bathtubby the same clever creators.
Wow! Francesca Simon really knows kids! Clever, witty, and horridly hilarious, Horrid Henry, the first book in an excellent series for young readers, is everything it should be. From the sometimes revolting-but-captivating stories, the large sized text, the illustrations included on almost every page ... this is what reluctant readers have been waiting for.
My only question about this series is, why are we only just getting it here in the US when it is fast approaching sales of 12 million copies in the UK, it has a TV show, has been translated into 25 languages, and an American author (note: Francesca Simon lives in the UK)? Better late than never!
Every book in the series is made up of four short stories. Simon has developed Henry's awful character in a way that you can't help to love him and feel sorry for him. It's human nature to take pity on the character who appears to be the underdog, and in the first story Henry is perceived as the underdog -- hence an immediate attachment between Henry and the reader. The stories alternate between underdog (though always remaining true to his unpleasant nature) and downright horrid little boy (the kind Roald Dahl would be proud of).
Speaking of Roald Dahl ... the illustrations are by Tony Ross who, you guessed it, has illustrated books by Roald Dahl -- Fantastic Mr. Fox, to name one. The pictures match the words -- simple, honest, and completely mischievous.
Publisher's summary: Horrid Henry causes his brother Perfect Peter all sorts of problems when he behaves properly for a change, upstages Peter at a dance recital, plays pirates, and goes on a camping trip.
Or, Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes might be right up your young readers alley.
Giveaway: Thanks to the publisher of the Horrid Henry series, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, I have five copies of a one story Horrid Henry chapter book to give away to five individual lucky winners. Click here for details.
To read what other reviewers are saying about Horrid Henry, take a look at the following websites:
Revolting-but-captivating stories, large sized
text, illustrations included on almost every page ... Horrid Henry is exactly what
reluctant readers have been waiting for. You can check out my recent review of the first book in the Horrid Henry series here.
Thanks to the publisher of the Horrid Henry series, Sourcebooks
Jabberwocky, I have five copies of a one story Horrid Henry chapter
book to give away to five individual lucky winners.
Here is what you have to do to enter (maximum entries, 5):
Pick a nickname for yourself (e.g. Horrid Henry) and say why that nickname fits. I'm Bookworm Bianca because I read LOTS of children's books. Leave your nickname in the comments field below.
An extra entry will be given for each time you twitter about the giveaway and/or blog about it. Be sure to let me know if you do so by pasting a link in the comments section. Click here to follow me on Twitter.
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The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only (no PO Boxes please).
The contest will run April 10th - April 20th, with the winners being drawn April 22nd. Winners will be picked at random using a random sequence generator and have 72hrs to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be awarded to an alternate winner.
Comment away!
Disclaimer: Books will be shipped directly from Sourcebooks
Jabberwocky, delivery of the giveaway item lies solely on the sponsor. Names, e-mail address and physical addresses of all winners will be shared with Sourcebooks
Jabberwocky for the purpose of fulfillment of the giveaway.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (January 6, 2009)
Bend over, let me see you shake your chicken cheeks. On second thought, maybe just stay in your chair and keep reading. Chicken Cheeks is Michael Ian Black's first children's book. After reading this book I was not surprised to discover that on top of being a writer Michael is also a comedian and an a actor. Using his comedic talent he has provided us with a delightfully funny collection of names used for ones bottom.
The premise of the book revolves around a bear who wants to reach the top of a tree where there are some bees making honey - he wants the honey. To reach the top he builds an animal ladder, piling one animal on top of another until they reach the honey. As an animal is added to the ladder a wonderful word is used to describe its behind: chicken cheeks, penguin patootie, gnu wazoo, and so on. I can't tell you if they reach the top, because the ending of this book is a hilarious clincher I wouldn't want to spoil.
The illustrations, provided by Kevin Hawkes (illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Library Lion), are so bright and cheery. They perfectly punctuate the text to deliver an enjoyable read for anyone with a sense of humor. Adorably amusing! Links: A review by Three Silly Chicks.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (January 27, 2009)
Yay! This is so much fun.The illustrations are soft and earthy, and really pack a punch with their humor. The story begins like this: All of the birds laid an egg. All except for Duck. No one likes to feel left-out, so duck finds himself an egg. While Duck believes his egg is beautiful, the other birds do not. Emily Gravett has ingeniously used the art of cut pages to give a brilliant visual unraveling effect to watch all of the eggs begin to hatch one-by-one. Of course Duck's egg is the last to hatch. The clincher is in the ending, and I really can't spoil it for you. But let me tell you this, I always enjoy Emily Gravett's books and I think you will too. This book is sure to provide a boost of happiness to any story time.
I So Don’t Do Spooky
