7 Days of Books, Day 5 Humor

Wow! It's hard to believe we are at Day 5 in this celebration of books! 

I've had this quote from Bruce Coville on my blog for a long time: 

"The first audible sound we make is through tears; 

the first comprehensible sound we make is through laughter." 

Capture of laughing babies from a series of videos at this site:
 https://www.ksl.com/article/50132907/7-videos-of-babies-laughing-that-will-melt-your-stressed-out-heart

Today, the category is humor, and while babies quickly catch on the rush that they get from a good giggle, understanding and navigating jokes, silly play, and even learning how to push through rough feelings in order to see the bright side or appreciate positive blessings is a skill that must be learned. This is why some believe that humor an extension of Social-Emotional Learning. 

Here are 2 articles on the topic, if you're interested:

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/social-emotional-learning/social-skills-for-kids/11-ways-to-encourage-your-childs-sense-humor.html

https://www.drloucozolino.com/education/humor-in-the-classroom

For me, some of the best memories from story time with my children have involved those moments when we have laughed out loud over the antics of characters in a book. I hope that you'll find moments like that with your own children as we spend more time with family through the holidays, wrap up 2022, and move forward into a new year.

I know that I haven't touched on every funny book recently published. After all, I'm only one person. So please feel free to share your own favorite funny titles in the comments. And then grab more entries for the giveaways at the rafflecopter.

HOliday lights in Oregon: 
https://www.oregonlive.com/events/2022/11/festive-light-displays-that-will-brighten-oregons-2022-holiday-season.html

And now, on to some of my recent favorite books in this category.

Little Red Writing Hood and the Big Bad Editor by Rebecca Kraft Rector, illustrated by Shanda McClosky (Aladdin 2022). 

I can't say enough for this tremendously funny story! Kids will love it and gobble it up from the puns, to the clever twists, to the growing tension, and most especially the readily understood edits that the Big Bad Wolf makes to Little Red's letter written to her grandma as Little Red tries to journey to grandma's house. 

Highly recommended by the South Bend Book Council http://ow.ly/T76T50LIe6k

Learn more about Rebecca Kraft Rector, and her other books like SQUISH SQUASH SQUISHED here:

 RebeccaKraftRector.wordpress.com

The Incredible Shrinking Lunch Room written by Michel Babay, illustrated by Paula Cohen (Charlesbridge 2022). 

Oh, my, gosh! This story brought smiles from the get-go. Young readers will be exceedingly tickled by the mounting sillyness that unfolds under the direction of the loving principal, Ms. Mensch, who has a funny way of solving problems. Inspired by a tale from Yiddish folklore, this story's foundation lays upon the timeless Jewish wisdom of sameach b'chelko (being content with what you have). Check it out! You and your littles will love this story.

Learn more about Michel Babay, school visits, and her other book, I'M A GLUTEN-SNIFFING SERVICE DOG here: http://michalbabay.com/ 

Battle of the Brains by Jocelyn Rish, illustrated by David Creigton-Pester (Running Press Kids 2022). 

Wowsers! Each one of the animal stars in this book either earned a laugh-out-loud or smile widely at their cleverness. Kids will eat up this sequel to the debut by this author and illustrator team, BATTLE OF THE BUTTS. I especially like the engagement for readers from the beginning in getting them to pay attention to deciding which animal will be declared a winner in the Battle of the Brains along with the criteria to consider while weighing in on the contestants. This book definitely will earn thumbs-feet-flippers-and-wings-up around the globe.

Super Pizza and Kid Kale by Phaea Crede, illustrated by Zack Smith (Viking 2022). 

Kids are treated to two new superheroes of the most delicious kind. Oh, wait. I take that back. Because one of the heroes is made of kale, a.k.a Kid Kale. And that's where a wonderful friendship starts to go sour in this fun, comic-style book when Super Pizza gets all the credit for deeds done together. Readers will go along on the journey and cheer with both characters and their admirers when all it put back to right.

This Field Trip Stinks! by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton (Flamingo Books 2022). 

This follow up to MY SCHOOL STINKS sure does find its humor in more adventure with school-going beasts and one human child. This time, when our reluctant participant experiences things going from bad to worse, he discovers he's actually got a knack for backwoods travel and brings everyone home safely. Great for all kids, including those in the most urban environments.

Spellbound, An Enchanting New Arrival by Jess Townes, illustrated by Jennifer Harney (Union Square Kids 2022). 

In this adorable picture book, a young girl named Willow garners her magic from the world around her (because it is meant to be shared), but becomes anxious when she discovers a new wizard in the house. Despite worrying that this new baby brother might be more powerful than her, she ultimately discovers a way to celebrate his own magic. Young readers will especially be captivated by the names of Willow's spells, such as Bakus Cupcakus!

Underwear! by Jennifer Harney. (Disney Hyperion 2019). 

I absolutely adorable this picture book that is full of fun with word play. Who hasn't experienced a young child who loves to run around naked after a bath, or who loves to be silly with testing out new jokes and rhyme? It's all here in this wonderful bedtime story.

Invasion of the Unicorns by David Bierdrzycki (Charlesbridge 2021). 

This humorous picture book tells the story of an alien spy sent to the Earth in order to scout out the planet for potential invasion. The fun begins with the identity of this alien life-form, which is a stuffed unicorn, who starts his journey in an arcade machine where a lucky winner snags a prize catch with a robotic clasping three-tined gripper. Of course, our unicorn alien finds all sorts of things to love about Earth. The humor shines through in turning frustrations on their heads: the lack of talent in winning at the snatch a toy game, the immense joy felt in finally winning, interactions with the family dog who comes across as an adversary, etc. Told in panels similar to a comic book that shows the log entries typed to the unicorn alien's "fearless leader," young and old readers alike will love the humor and heart that shines through the story.

Blood is Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacey McAnulty, illustrated by Shawna J. C. Tenney  (Henry Holt and Company 2022). 

With lots of nods toward the lovable Count from Sesame Street and tons of fascinating facts about blood flowing through our bodies, this follow-up to BRAINS! NOT JUST A ZOMBIE SNACK is sure to delight young readers, and even prompt them into the kitchen to explore delicious concoctions like pineapple fig smoothies.

And no joke, we've got 3 #giveaways with today's post. Winners will be chosen when the event wraps up on December 10. So that means there is still time to nab a chance at giveaways from Days 1-4, as well as come back for Days 6-7 for more incredible goodness.

1) A PB manuscript critique from Jocelyn Rish

2) A copy of THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING LUNCHROOM from Michel Babay to US address

3) A copy of LITTLE RED AND THE BIG BAD EDITOR from Rebecca Kraft Rector to US address

Do you have more funny books to share? Grab your first entry for one of the amazing giveaways by leaving a comment on today's blog post. 

Then grab more entries for the giveaways with the rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway