From: Steven
Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 16:57:21 PST

I especially appreciate funny books with a bit of subtlety and restraint. Just about anything can make a four year old laugh, but some do it with more art and style. A few of my favorite funny preschool age picturebook producers: Helen Lester & Lynn Munsiger: Not all of theirs are perfect, but "Tacky the Penguin" and "The Wizard the Fairy and the Magic Chicken" are just about. Tacky is such a great kids' character. They know right away that there's nothing wrong with Tacky, even though he doesn't fit in. Keiko Kasza: "The Pig's Picnic," "Wolf's Chicken Stew," "Grandpa Toad.." and many others. He paces his stories perfectly, and he really lets the kids "get" the humor themselves, without spelling it out. The "Minerva Louise" books by Janet Stoeke and the two "Daisy" books by Lisa Kopper (...Thinks She is a Baby" and "...Is a Mommy") always get laughs as well, by using just a few words and letting the kids detect the humor in the illustrations. You don't need to explain a thing, even though the words are totally tongue in cheek. I still think the most versatile funny book I've ever used is
"Fortunately" by Remy Charlip. It works with everyone from 3 year olds to adults. 34 years old and it hasn't been topped!
-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Fri 01 May 1998 07:57:21 PM CDT