CCBC-Net Archives

[CCBC-Net] What's So Funny -- can we discuss??

From: Maggi Rohde <maggi>
Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 07:39:39 -0600 (MDT)

On Tue, 7 May 2002, fairrosa wrote:

It's the same stuff that makes sitcoms work.


Agreed. Anything that takes control out of the hands of those in power is funny to kids. Having the snot kicked out of the school bully is inevitably empowering, but hearing the principal have a lunch tray overturned on his head... that's awesome! And it doesn't have to be hurtful, either. I'm thinking of the principal in the Horrible Harry books, who consents to have his hair spiked by their 2nd grade classroom.


You bet, especially when they're disguised, such as that infamous song about Noah's Ark in which "They all went down to Amster?M!"


I wouldn't call this the same as humor, but it certainly makes a story endearing.


Yes -- knowing more, or knowing what's going to happen next (omnipotence) is great. Again, it's about feeling empowered.

For older students, I think word jokes (puns, etc.), such as in Phantom Tollbooth, are very effectively funny.

Maggi Rohde, Children's Librarian Canton Public Library, MI maggi at intranet.org
Received on Tue 07 May 2002 08:39:39 AM CDT