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Humor in Children's books
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From: lisa von drasek <lisav>
Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 15:38:48 -0400
Dear CCBCers It being May 1st, I will jump right in. Funny picture books are my favorite books to share.
Children's books can be funny and tragic (tragic to that age group) at the same time. Here are the books I never get tired of and are often requested.
_Bootsie Barker Bites_ by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Peggy Rathman. Two girls who's mothers are friends but Bootsie is a loud , abusive bully. Hmm that doesn't sound very funny but believe me it is.
Which brings me to the point that the pictures are key to the humor.
A great example of that is _Piggie Pie_ by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Howard Fine. the bold , in-your?ce illustrations perfectly compliment this absurd story. The kids love the refences to other stories (like the three litttle pigs) and echoes of a favorite pre-school song ( Old MacDonald Had a Farm)
New this year by the same dynamic team is _Zak's Lunch_ My favorite picture book this week. Zak's mother calls him to lunch and it turns out to be a boring ham and cheese sandwich. Realistic dialog "This is not a restaurant,.. make that sandwich disappear" paired with the explosive illustrations of a outrageous, fantasy diner make this a rollicking read aloud if there ever was one. I just can't get tired of it and the response from the kids is unbelievably boisterous and audible as every page turns.
For a little older there is the master, Jon Scieszka. Hard to believe there once was a world where there was no Wolf's side of the story as in The True Story of the Three Pigs By A. Wolf.
Oh and his partner in crime Lane Smith. Check out _Glasses, who needs'm_. A sneaky, funny fantasy starry a real smart mouthed boy who's world looks a little blurry. I could go on and on but I won't.
Lisa
Lisa Von Drasek, Librarian School for Children Bank Street College of Education 610 W.112th Street New York New York 10025 212 875 4452 lisav at bnkst.edu
Received on Fri 01 May 1998 02:38:48 PM CDT
Date: Fri, 01 May 1998 15:38:48 -0400
Dear CCBCers It being May 1st, I will jump right in. Funny picture books are my favorite books to share.
Children's books can be funny and tragic (tragic to that age group) at the same time. Here are the books I never get tired of and are often requested.
_Bootsie Barker Bites_ by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Peggy Rathman. Two girls who's mothers are friends but Bootsie is a loud , abusive bully. Hmm that doesn't sound very funny but believe me it is.
Which brings me to the point that the pictures are key to the humor.
A great example of that is _Piggie Pie_ by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Howard Fine. the bold , in-your?ce illustrations perfectly compliment this absurd story. The kids love the refences to other stories (like the three litttle pigs) and echoes of a favorite pre-school song ( Old MacDonald Had a Farm)
New this year by the same dynamic team is _Zak's Lunch_ My favorite picture book this week. Zak's mother calls him to lunch and it turns out to be a boring ham and cheese sandwich. Realistic dialog "This is not a restaurant,.. make that sandwich disappear" paired with the explosive illustrations of a outrageous, fantasy diner make this a rollicking read aloud if there ever was one. I just can't get tired of it and the response from the kids is unbelievably boisterous and audible as every page turns.
For a little older there is the master, Jon Scieszka. Hard to believe there once was a world where there was no Wolf's side of the story as in The True Story of the Three Pigs By A. Wolf.
Oh and his partner in crime Lane Smith. Check out _Glasses, who needs'm_. A sneaky, funny fantasy starry a real smart mouthed boy who's world looks a little blurry. I could go on and on but I won't.
Lisa
Lisa Von Drasek, Librarian School for Children Bank Street College of Education 610 W.112th Street New York New York 10025 212 875 4452 lisav at bnkst.edu
Received on Fri 01 May 1998 02:38:48 PM CDT
