friday's five, always time for giggles

The sun is finally shining in my part of the world right about now, and the temps even lived up to the "Spring Break" title for the kids this week! When it starts to be sunny again, my mood starts to lighten a bit, so it only seems appropriate to share some funny titles on this round to spread the giggling around. This handful of books will bring out some laughter for both kids and adults alike!

1. Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Scott Campbell

Do you have a kid who is an expert 'staller' at night when it's time to go to bed? Well, do I have the perfect, silliest book for you to help deal with these tendencies. This pic book handles this common behavior in a funny way by giving a young child a stuffed animal that is intended to help him go to sleep, but doesn't quite behave in the way expected. Adults can have a ton of fun reading this one aloud, with its snappy back-and-forth dialogue and rise of emotions as the story goes along.

2. Crash, Splash, or Moo! written and illustrated by Bob Shea

Okay, Bob Shea may have outdone himself in the silly department with this one. The narrator of this pic book is actually a host named Mr. McMonkey and the concept of the book is a game show with the same name as the book. Reading this one aloud will be a blast, as your audience will serve as the game show audience making guesses as to what will happen next. As always, Shea's illustrations are bright and loud and hilarious. Super fun.

3. Ella WHO? written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Sara Sanchez

Oh, this is just adorable and so much fun. It's moving day, and with all the commotion of movers in and out, the door was left open, and a baby elephant strolled into a young girl's new house. Of course, her parents and grandparents were very busy tending to the moving responsibilities, so they didn't notice at all. The little girl tried to tell them, but in all the confusion of the day, they never understood. The girl and the elephant had wonderful adventures all day until the girl figured out where the elephant was actually supposed to be. But don't worry, upon her departure, a new 'friend' arrived, and it seems that the young girl will have even more wild adventures in her future.

4. The NOT So Quiet Library written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora

Oskar and Theodore are heading to the library with Dad like they do every Saturday. But this week, their quiet reading time is interrupted by a commotion in the form of a five-headed monster. Oskar and Theodore, one a little boy and the other a pants-and-hat-wearing bear who doesn't, in fact, know kung fu, try to hide or run away. (But the monster doesn't have to know about the lack of kung fu!) What will subdue the monster who's intent on eating something? If it can't be the books, then perhaps Oskar and Theodore?! Thankfully, a helpful librarian has the answer and kids will likely giggle with delight as the monster gets itself under control for story time.

5. Hungry Bunny written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda

Get ready to interact with this little bunny who needs a little bit of a hand collecting apples. With help from young readers in the form of tilting and turning the book, blowing at a pile of leaves, and even utilizing Bunny's own scarf (in the form of a cute ribbon attached mid-book!), Bunny just may be able to fill his wagon with delicious apples to bring home to Mama. This book is just perfect for reading one-on-one, but one could make it work with a larger group story time if given thought ahead of time of how to have the kids participate.


Happy reading!