7 Days of Books for Children, Day 1 Books with HUMOR

Hello book lovers! I'm super excited to share another 7 Days of Celebrating Children's Books with you! 

Every day will feature new books for you to gather to your shelves and giveaway opportunities for you to take a chance at winning. Plus, I hope you'll share your own favorite books throughout the week with other readers by noting them in the comments below.

We're beginning the week with books featuring humor, so I'm sharing this quote from writer, editor, and professor Eva Hoffman.

"There is nothing like a gleam of humor to assure you that a fellow human being is being tickled inside a strange face."

Let's focus on one of those words for a moment. Fellow. 

Yes, we are all fellows on this planet, and I hope we are all working toward a harmony that is someday felt world-wide in sharing it. And yet, how fittingly beautiful it is to also know that strangers on this same planet, or in the same community, or in the same new classroom can unite together in laughter over the same idea. Or more often, as in families when they gather over dinner, during playtime, or before bedtime with humorous books. 

The books shared in the list below highlight some that I've found and enjoyed over the last six months. Many are newly published, others newly discovered, and a few revisited like old friends.

Writing and illustrating books for children involves a lot of solo time invested on the part of creators, as well as worries and anticipation of how those books will be received. The writing community I'm a part of is amazing and incredibly supportive. My hopes for this week are that we find both readers and creators coming together to celebrate the joy and empowerment that reading books with young children can bring. I also hope that you all will take time to ask your local library or independent book sellers to order in titles that appeal to you. 

In addition, perhaps you'll find Lady Luck on your side, so to speak, for one of the many giveaways that you can enter. Today's post has a Rafflecopter for 3 prizes. Tomorrow's post will feature another rafflecopter with new giveaways. Winners for all giveaways will be selected on July 5.

Thank you for being here, and Happy Reading!

Humorous Books for Children

Donut. The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly written by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Andrea Zuill (Random House Studio 2022)

Full of heart, humor and told in simple rhymes, this adorable story will soon have young children reading it independently after being shared during story times. I can think of no better way to introduce kids to the joy of reading than with a book that they can soon tackle on their own while building confidence. What I love about this book is the unique way that Donut figures out how to solve his gravity-problem with a little help from his friends. And notably, the STEM components shown in the illustrations immediately won over my science-loving heart. 

Get Ready, Mama! written by Sharon Giltrow, illustrated by Arielle Li (EK Books 2022)

Get ready for giggles, because this how-to book is packed with humor that is sure to please the young and old crowds alike. With reading the first illustrated spread, I was smiling. With the second, I laughed out loud because who hasn't hugged their clothes and fallen back on the bed in tired desperation for a few more winks? I can't give away the surprise ending, but this book will not only be a crowd pleaser at home, but also for elementary classrooms--whether that be the first day of school, last day of school, or any day in between. 

Don't Eat the Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) written by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt (Random House Children's Books 2022)

If you've ever had a dog who likes the outdoors, even just a little bit, then you know what happens if a bee happens to get too close.... Which is what makes the humor start on the cover of this book in its title! (Unless of course, your dog is overly allergic to bees.) Word of warning. We all know how incredibly smart dogs are, so don't read this book aloud to them during story time. Truly! No dogs allowed, because this dog's ideas of Do's and Don't, well, . . . he's got the bees part right. This story is packed with silliness and humor that all dog-lovers will dig into.

Chicken Break. A Counting Book written by Cate Berry, illustrated by Charlotte Alder (Feiwel & Friends 2019)

Cate Berry, master wordsmith and humorist, hits it out of the park in this story about chickens making plans and then following through on breaking out of the coop. However, what I love most is the double meaning of the title, which comes full circle at the end in a way to wrap up the story for any nap time or bedtime. Young readers will love counting (and finding) all of the funky chickens on each page, while learning to read simple words on sight recognition after hearing them aloud for the first few times. Paired with Alder's illustrations, this book is a real winner.

My School Stinks! written by Becky Scharnhorst illustrated by Julia Patton (Flamingo Books 2021)

The first day at a new school packs more surprises than a boy could have ever imagined. Namely, that the classmates are all wild animals. Will this boy ever find a way to get settled in? The clever humor in this book and fun twist at the end makes this book a delightful read, no doubt to be enjoyed again and again.

Cold Turkey written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kirsti Call, illustrated by Chad Otis (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2021)

It's a cold day when Turkey sets out for a walk in the snow, but as he meets chilly friends along they way, this kind turkey is more than willing to give his body-warming bundles away. When he finds nothing left to hold the heat in, how will Turkey's kindness come full circle? What I love about this story is that at the core of its outrageously fun heart, it's all about helping others and giving back. Truly wonderful!

Hardly Haunted written and illustrated by Jessie Sima (Simon & Schuster 2021)

House worries that the reason she doesn't have a family living inside her is because she is haunted. If she stops her creaking, and rattling, and groaning, will she finally find the company she desires? 

Tongue in cheek humor with the longing for companionship lands this book in a place that all kids can relate to. This is one of those books that can fall into a lot of categories, not just humor and not just the holiday of Halloween. It also speaks to friendship and perhaps empathy.

Chez Bob written and illustrated by Bob Shea (Little, Brown and Company 2021) 

Bob, a lazy crocodile devises a way to attract birds to his mouth in order to eat them without having to move a muscle himself in going after them. How? you might wonder? With a birdseed restaurant, of course, and the fun and twisty surprises continue from there. This humorous book will tickle funny bones in young and old readers alike.

Counting to Bananas. A Mostly Rhyming Fruit Book written by Carrie Tillotson, illustrated by Estrela Lourenco (Flamingo Books 2022)

There is so much fun to love about this atypical counting book. Kids will be in on the joke as soon as the 4 pigs are introduced to the fruit line-up (because no fruit rhymes with fig). Meanwhile, an impatient banana is assured that his turn will come, but at what cost? 

Funny all the way to the last page, I suggest following up this treat of a book with a banana split sundae. 

Pineapple Princess written and illustrated by Sabina Hahn (Roaring Brook Press 2022)

This book is a delight in the contrast between the humor that is shared in the text and compared to what is shown in the illustrations. Will this misunderstood princess find a kingdom and subjects whom she can smoothly reign? Or will she land her sights on other goals? Kids will have fun connecting with the silliness and antics of this endearing Pineapple Princess. 

And yes, that is a pineapple on her head.

Arnold, the Super-ish Hero written by Heather Tekavec, illustrated by Guillamume Perreault (Kids Can Press 2021)

Can Arnold lift a fire truck like other super strong heroes? No. Can he fly at lightning speed? No. Can he leap off buildings and land without a scratch? No. But he's good at answering the phone and taking down messages in clear penmanship. 

So what is this Super-ish hero all about? I hate to say it, but you'll have to read the book to find out. And you won't be disappointed. 

Full of humor and heart, this comic-style picture book will please all ages.

Today's giveaways feature a chance to win a: 

1) A signed copy of DONUT. THE UNICORN WHO WANTS TO FLY from author Laura Gehl

2) A copy of GET READY, MAMA! or A critique of a PB manuscript from author Sharon Giltrow

3) A copy of CHICKEN BREAK. A COUNTING BOOK from author Cate Berry

Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter.  All 3 giveaways are at this link. Be sure to follow through on the requirements for entry. Winners will be announced on July 6.

More tomorrow! Happy reading and book requesting at your local libraries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway