stanley+and+cook+humor

Humor is an integral part of human life. To have humor is to have “the quality that makes a person laugh or smile and consequently feel good, even if but for a brief moment of time.” (Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998). We tell jokes and puns in our everyday life. Our humor is based on our own social conventions and what is funny is different from person to person (Bell, 2009; Fueller, 1999). This usage of humor is an aid to the classroom teacher. Humor provides the benefits of relaxation, creates a comfortable atmosphere, and helps in creating a bond between classmates and teachers. A comfortable and safe classroom environment increases the productivity and efficiency of the students and teachers (Bell, 2009; Kher, 1999). This supportive environment promotes an excitement that takes advantage of the innate love of laughter to encourage learning (Kher, 1999) Yet, the way humor is used in the conversation is different from the manner it is used in books. The use of humor in books can be used to aid in teaching syntax, vocabulary, and semantics. For this reason language teachers have been using humor in second language classes (Bell, 2009). What is considered funny by one person or age group will not necessarily be funny by another age group or even another person in that age group. For this reason a large selection of humorous reading materials are suggested. For younger students in the preschool through 2nd grade levels the book collection should include events that are incongruent with reality or plays with the phonological language. This age group prefers alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, nonsense words and actions that would not naturally occur. As the students mature word play books, such as jokes and riddles, need to become included in the collection. All humor is ageless. A book that a toddler laughs at may also be found humorous by an adult or older child. The classroom collection should include a large array of these humor books. (Fuhler, 1999; Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998) When a struggling reader is presented with a new book, often it is looked upon with in dread. The student lacks the self-confidence in his/her reading ability or has had a previously negative experience. To overcome this dread of reading takes practice through voluntary reading. The use of humor books can create a genuine desire to read (Kher, 1999; Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998). If the book is funny, it entices the reader to read and re-read the same passages. This redundant reading provides not only a good laugh but also immerses in a diverse language experiences that increases decoding ability, comprehension and fluency (Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998). Some humor, which is the case in the book //Bad Kitty for President,// can be construed by some as “higher level” humor and not for the age group that the book is intended. This is done partly to entertain the older reader or adult who may also be reading the book. It is with the desire to enhance the humor selection that is currently available to the students that the following books are listed.

 Humorous Picture Books Stein, D. (2010). //Interrupting chicken.// New York, NY: Scholastic. (ISBN: 978-0-545-39124-5). Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville Ky. Little red chicken wants Papa to tell him a bedtime story; however he knows the stories so well he cannot help but YELL the ending before it is due and will not fall asleep. Finally Papa gives up and has Chicken tell him a story only to have Papa fall fast asleep. Children will delight in the familiar stories of //Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood,// and //Chicken Little// as little red chicken “blurts” out the endings. As a read aloud picture book it will leave children wanting for more books that make them laugh and they will want to check them out for themselves. [|www.ala.org/alsc/2011-caldecott-medal-and-honor-books]
 * 1) //Interrupting Chicken //Written and Illustrated by David Ezra Stein.

Bell-Rehwoldt, S. (2007). //You think it’s easy being the tooth fairy?// New York, NY:  Scholastic. (ISBN 978-0-545-33602-4). Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville, Ky. Not your “pink flouncing skirt” or “twinkling glass slipper” of a tooth fairy, this one is an “action kind of gal”. She doesn’t get any help like Santa, oh no, so she has to be in shape by working out and using her “tooth finding” gadgets. She has to be athletic to run from your pets and get the tooth out from under the pillows of children from all over world. This is a funny book for children of “tooth” losing age and will leave them wanting to read more stories about things going on their lives [] . Moore, J. (2011). //When a dragon moves in.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-545-44940-3) Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What happens when you build the perfect sand castle on the beach and a misbehaving dragon moves in? He does all kinds of things to your sister and you get blamed for it. This cleverly written and illustrated book shows all the fun things that happen at the beach, only you have a dragon with you. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Written in the “If you give…book” style, children will love the rhythmic style of the book and will love looking for more books of this nature. The beach theme makes for a great summer read. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Orloff, K. (2010). //I wanna new room.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-545-40108-1). Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The sequel to //I Wanna Iguana// Alex has a new sister and now has to share his room with his little brother. In a series of hysterical letters he and his parents write back and forth to each other, Alex pleads his case. When a compromise of a tree house all his own is offered, Alex jumps at the chance. However, in the end he asked his brother if he wants to play in it. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Many students will be able to relate to Alex’s situation of a new sibling. The book is written as a letter on each page and is likely to keep the reader interested until the end. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Foxworthy, J. (2009). //Silly street.// New York, NY: Harper Collins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-06-17919-6) Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This book of 14 silly poems will delight you with Foxworthy’s humor. There is everything from bubble gum and butterflies to pogo sticks and popsicles. A great read aloud to introduce poetry to the young student. Many poems are short enough to memorize and have fun with. Students who think poetry is boring will have a change of heart with this book. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Schmidt. A. (2009). //Loose leashes.// New York, NY: Random House. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 9780375856419) Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This collection of poems about dogs and their everyday activities of grooming, love, surfing, and adventures will delight the young and old alike. The photographs of dogs are hysterical and include a dog with a surfboard, floating on inner tubes, and even snowboarding. The rhymes are funny and will bring poetry to students in a lighthearted way. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This book is another fun way to approach poetry in the classroom. Students could even gather pictures of dogs doing funny things and write poetry about the picture. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Keller//,// L. (2007). //Do unto otters: A book about manners.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-545-1097-9). Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When you’re a rabbit and an otter moves in next door, what do you do? Well, you treat the otter the way you would like to be treated. The fantastic take on the “Golden Rule” will keep you laughing and possibly teach children a little bit about how this rule is meant to be. All this and you can learn to say such niceties as “please” and “thank-you” in five languages. This book is a great learning tool for the younger grades as they learn how treat others, especially in the classroom. The story addresses teasing, sharing, and forgiving in a humorous format. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Portis, A. (2006). //Not a box.// New York, NY: Harper Collins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-06-112322-1) Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This simple book will bring laughter and will stir the imagination of the pre-schooler to 1st grade. The illustrations are simple straight line drawings about a rabbit and what his imagination can do with a cardboard box. It can be everything from a race car to a space ship and with each question about the “box” the character response is “It’s not a box!” Teachers and librarians can read this book aloud and with emphasis on the character the children will respond with laughter and learn a lot about their imaginations. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Schneider, J. (2011). //Tales for very picky eaters.// New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The illustrations in this book are as funny as the book itself. A father is trying to get his child to eat foods he says he does not like. From “disgusting broccoli” to “slimy eggs” the stories are outlandish. When the child learns the consequences for not eating such foods, it doesn’t seem so bad to just try it. This book is so relevant for today in this age of the Happy Meal, it’s a humorous take on nutritious foods as well learning to eat the foods they are asked to eat by parents and adults and the reasons for doing so. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Klassen, J. (2011). I want my hat back. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-7636-5598-3) Barnes and Noble, Louisville, Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bear has lost his hat and he desperately wants to get it back. He asks everyone he sees if they have seen his hat. It is not until he provides someone with a description that he, and hopefully the class listening to the book, remembers where he saw it. Rabbit has his hat; however the book never tells you what really happens to rabbit as a result. This is a great read aloud book for beginning readers and can prompt discussions on what happened to rabbit as well as introduce memory recall. Because the book is written in dialog and with the use of color in the dialog, it can be read as a script as well. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Litwin, E. (2008). //Pete the cat: I love my white shoes.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-545-43414-0) Scholastic Book Fair, Louisville, Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pete truly loves, loves, loves his white shoes. However, when he accidently steps in a pile of strawberries, he loves, loves, loves, his red shoes. And so the story goes with blueberries and mud and then through water with wet shoes. All the while Pete is happily singing and walking along with the moral of story being “…because it’s all good.” There is also a free download for the song along with fun activities to go along with the book available from [|www.hapercollinschildrens.com/petethecat]. From this site you can also see a You Tube video of children reading the book to the music. Students can continue Pete’s story with //Rocking in My School Shoes// where Pete encounters the lunch room, the library, and the playground at school. This is a great introduction to school for young students and to lighten the stress of starting school for the first time. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dodds, A. (2009). //Full house: An invitation to fractions.// Somerville, MA: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Candlewick Press. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 978-0-7636-4130-6) Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Strawberry Inn is a colorful and wonderful place run by Miss Bloom. As her guest arrives one by one her Inn soon fills up and she has a “full house.” The story is rhyming and the illustrations show the “quirky” people as they fill up the Inn and the fractions are figured. You are told there are only six rooms in the Inn, so it is fun as the students try to figure how many rooms are left. When the guests are caught in the kitchen in the middle of the night, Miss Bloom cleverly divides the cake into six pieces. This book is amusing to younger students as they figure out the tale, and older students will love the fun introduction to fractions. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Wiesner, D. (Reprint 2011). //Tuesday.// Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. (ISBN 978-0395870822) Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville Ky. and Barnes and Noble, Louisville Ky. (Original work published 1991, ISBN 0-395-55113-7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The almost wordless book only tells the reader that the story begins on “Tuesday” and ends on “next Tuesday”, with only pictures and the time recorded in the pages between. You have heard of flying pigs, well, how about flying frogs. The pictures show the frogs flying over a town on their lily pads. The expressions on the faces of a man having a late night sandwich as well as the frogs and other animals lead the imagination on this humorous journey. At the end of the story you see a “Dragnet” looking policeman picking up a lily pad and deep in thought about what in the world could be going on. That is when you see “next Tuesday and the flying pigs. Older students can form their own dialog that could be read to younger students. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lowell, S. ( 2001). //Cindy Ellen: A wild western Cinderella.// New York, NY: Harper <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Collins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 9781413127096 Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This western take on Cinderella has a step mother “meaner than a rattlesnake” and she wants to go to a square dance, no fancy ball for her, in a squash turned stagecoach. Instead of mopping floors, Cindy Ellen is mending fences and tending cows. Her godmother gives her the “gift of gumption” and after square dancing the night away with the rodeo star, Joe Prince, she loses her diamond spur as she runs away at midnight. Joe finds the spur, and I think you know the rest. The story and the character are a delight and one of the funniest takes on Cinderella you will find. This book can be used by students of all ages when studying fairy tales and folk tales. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Phelps, M. & Abrahamson, A. (2009). //How to train with a T. Rex and win 8 gold// //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">medals //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 9781416986690). Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville, Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a clever picture book telling children what it took for Michael Phelps to train for the Olympics in which he won 8 gold medals. The analogies are very creative and put in terms that children can understand. He trained for 6 years, the whole life of a kindergarten student or 42 dog years. How about swimming 183,040 times around a baseball diamond or from Baltimore to the North Pole? Or, if you added up all his nap time it would be 273 days, that is a NBA team’s whole season. To get energy he had to eat the equivalent of 912 pizzas a year. This is a great book to let children see how hard it is to achieve such a goal and a great book for an Olympic year.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">By Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt and Illustrated by David Slonim.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When a Dragon Moves In //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Jodi Moore and Illustrated by Howard McWilliam.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I Wanna New Room //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Karen Kaufman Orloff and Illustrated by David Catrow.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Silly Street //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Jeff Foxworthy and Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Loose Leashes //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Amy Schmidt. Photographs by Ron Schmidt.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by Laurie Keller.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Not a Box //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tales for Very Picky Eaters //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by Josh Schneider. (ISBN 978-0-547-14956-1). Whitefield Academy Library, Louisville, Ky.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I Want My Hat Back //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and digitally illustrated by Jon Klassen.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Full House: An Invitation to Fractions //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written by Dayle Anne Dodds and illustrated by Abby Carter.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tuesday //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by David Wiesner.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> written by Susan Lowell and illustrated by Jane Manning.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written by Michael Phelps and Alan Abrahamson and illustrated by Ward Jenkins.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Adolescent works (chapter books) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bruel, N. (2012). //Bad kitty for president.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bad Kitty and Big Kitty are running for President because Old Kitty is retiring. The book takes you through the Primaries, the debates, Election Day and even the media and money situation. A cross between a comic book and a chapter book, this funny book also can teach the student about elections. The appendix in the back of the book gives a glossary of election terms. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This book is a great transition for the young reader to start reading chapter books and not be overwhelmed. There are also more books in the series to keep the reader reading. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[]
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bad Kitty for President //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by Nick Bruel.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Broad, M. (2007). //Agent Amelia ghost diamond.// New York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Amelia is a “secret” secret agent and on the case to save the day. Each page of this book is filled with pictures and contains three different “cases” to be solved. Amelia’s mother does not even know she is a crime solver. Her trusty backpack carries everything she needs to be a super sleuth. She uses many different gadgets and disguises and keeps the pages turning. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As part of a series, these books will not intimidate the young reader. It is also broken up in three sections which make the book easier to read. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[]
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Agent Amelia Ghost Diamond //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written and illustrated by Michael Broad.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Peirce, L. (2010). //Big Nate in a class by himself.// New York, NY: Harper Collins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 9780061944345) Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Even though Nate is in middle-school, students from 3rd grade and up will enjoy this funny character. In Nate’s world if it can go wrong it will go wrong. With all his mishaps and the cartoonish illustration Nate could surly be related to the “Wimpy Kid”. Not exactly a comic book or a graphic novel, this book which is part of a series could be just the answer for the reluctant reader. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Gutman, D. (2007). //Miss Suki is kooky.// New York, NY: Harper Collins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(ISBN 9781428745780) Shelby County Library, Shelbyville, Ky. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As part of the Weird School series it is easy to see that this book has to be funny. The covers of these books are colorful and have crazy pictures on the cover with comic style drawings throughout the books. Miss Suki, a famous author, comes to class to talk about her books on the rainforest and endangered animals. She happens to bring a pet raptor with her and while the class visit is not going exactly according to plan, Miss Suki was about to finish up and the raptor gets loose in the classroom. The book is truly funny and will attract reluctant readers, who will want to read the rest of the series of which there are 20 or more. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pilkey, D. (2002). //Ricky Ricotta’s mighty robot vs. the mecha- monkeys from Mars.// New <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> York, NY: Scholastic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The story of two best friends, Ricky Ricotta and Mighty Robot, who must stop Major Monkey from taking over the earth. There are some crazy antics such as Robot, who is extremely large, uses a mini-van for a skate board and ultimately crashes it. However, the crazy duo does make things right by raising the money to pay for it while saving the earth from Major Monkey. The book is wonderfully illustrated with just enough words on each page for the beginning reader.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Big Nate in a Class by Himself //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> written and illustrated by Lincoln Peirce.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Miss Suki is Kooky //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">written by Dan Gutman and illustrated by Jim Paillot.
 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. The Mecha-Monkeys From Mars //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros.

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reference __ Bell, N. D. (2009). Learning about and through humor in the second language classroom. //Language Teaching Research//, //13//(3), 241-258. doi:10.1177/1362168809104697 Kher, N., Molstad, S., & Donahue, R. (1999). Using humor in the college classroom to enhance teaching effectiveness in 'dread courses'. //College Student Journal//, //33//(3), 400. Fuhler, C. J. (1999). Promoting reading and writing through humor and hope. (cover story). //Childhood Education//, //76//(1), 13. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Klesius, J. P., Laframboise, K. L., & Gaier, M. (1998). Humorous literature: motivation for reluctant readers. //Reading Research & Instruction//, //37//(4), 253-261. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Sharp, P. (2012). //What’s new in children’s literature.// Bureau of Education and Research. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Bellevue, WA.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">A second version of this information is posted below:

To have humor is to have “the quality that makes a person laugh or smile and consequently feel good, even if but for a brief moment of time.” (Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998). We tell jokes and puns in our everyday life. Our humor is based on our own social conventions and what is funny is different from person to person (Bell, 2009; Fueller, 1999). Humor provides the benefits of relaxation, creates a comfortable atmosphere, and helps in creating a bond between classmates and teachers. A comfortable and safe classroom environment increases the productivity and efficiency of the students and teachers (Bell, 2009; Kher, 1999). This supportive environment promotes an excitement that takes advantage of the innate love of laughter to encourage learning (Kher, 1999)


 * When choosing a book for your classroom, there are a few things to consider:
 * As students mature word play books, such as jokes and riddles, need to become included in the collection. //Agent Amelia: Ghost Diamond// uses humor that will appeal to these students.
 * A book that a toddler laughs at may also be found humorous by an adult or older child. This age group prefers alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, nonsense words and actions that would not naturally occur. This can be seen elegantly in //When a Dragon Moves In//. The classroom collection should include a large array of these humor books. (Fuhler, 1999; Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Humor is a great way to make poetry come alive. //Silly Street// is a great read aloud to introduce poetry to the young student. Many poems are short enough to memorize and have fun with.
 * R<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">eading provides not only a good laugh but also immerses in a diverse language experiences that increases decoding ability, comprehension and fluency (Klesius, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998). //Inte// //rrupting chicken// will give students a laugh as the Little Chicken gets into the story.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">When a struggling reader is presented with a new book, often it is looked at with in dread. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">You think it’s easy being the tooth fairy// and //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I Wanna New Room //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, allow students t<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">o overcome this dread of reading takes practice through voluntary reading. The use of humor books can create a genuine desire to read (Kher, 1999; Klesi us, Lafrmboise & Gaier, 1998).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Humorous Picture Books Annotated Bibliography


 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">[[image:lme518spring2012/interrupting chicken.png width="224" height="19" align="left"]]// // // // // // // // // // // // // Interrupting Chicken // Written and Illustrated by David Ezra Stein.  // // // // // // // // // // // // //

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stein, D. (2010). //Interrupting chicken.// New York, NY: Scholastic. (ISBN: 978-0-545-39124-5).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clarksville Montgomery Public Library

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The concept of story diagraming can benefit from humorous teaching, as well. In //Interrupting Chicken//, Pappa is reading a bedtime story, but keeps getting interrupted. Little chicken can’t help herself from altering the classics of //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">and //Chicken Little//. In the end the Pappa has her tell him a story. Pappa learns to embrace Little Chicken’s imagination while teachers can use the story to show different parts of a tale through the abbreviated stories. (Kare, 2011; Marcus, 2011)

Reviewed by Karre and Marcus

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//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">By Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt and Illustrated by David Slonim.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bell-Rehwoldt, S. (2007). //You think it’s easy being the tooth fairy?// New York, NY: Scholastic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(ISBN 978-0-545-33602-4).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tumble Books through the Montgomery Country Public Library.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> is a hilarious look at the autobiography of a fictional character. This wordy story is told in a monologue and can be used as an example in a drama class or a literature class of a way to write an autobiographical tale. In this tale the tooth fairy tells the reader about herself. She is not a dainty princess, like Cinderella. Instead “she is a modern **fairy** for the techno age.” (Kirkus, 2007) She advises the reader on how she finds the teeth, avoids household pets, and what not to do with their tooth. The tooth fairy zips around on her tooth shaped board with out and elves or flying reindeer. (2007; Owen 2007)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by Kirkus and Owen

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//////////////////////////<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">W ////////////////////////////////////////////////////<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">hen a Dragon Moves In //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">by Jodi Moore and Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. ////////////////////////

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Moore, J. (2011). //When a dragon moves in.// New York, NY: Scholastic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(ISBN 978-0-545-44940-3)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clarksville Montgomery Public Library

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">For the younger students a trip to the beach with //When a Dragon Moves In.// Solow (2011) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">and Stanfield (2011) both call this a delightful m ix of imagination and reality with <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">illustrations that<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> are “just short of animation.” (Solow, 2011) The simple text and imaginative images induce laughter from children and adults alike. This title can be used in a Social Studies class to depict how unseen forces influence the environment. The story illustrates this through the dad standing behind the child to stop a bully, while the toddler thinks it is his dragon that is scaring the bully.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by Solow and Stanfield

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I Wanna New Room //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">by Karen Kaufman Orloff and Illustrated by David Catrow.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Orloff, K. (2010). //I wanna new room.// New York, NY: Scholastic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(ISBN 978-0-545-40108-1).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scholastic Book Fair, Clarksville, TN

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Language teachers can also use //I Wanna New Room//, and its persuasive letters for a creative writing lesson with vocabulary. In this story Alex uses his vocabulary and letter writing abilities to plead his case to get a room of his own and away from his pesky little brother. Alex tells of Ethan’s transgressions using his expanding vocabulary, and finally comes to an agreement with his father. Alex gets a tree-house. Persuasive essays are normally associated with dull writing or political opinions. This book can be used in all levels to show an example that persuasive essays can be well written and even funny. (Finn, 2010; Mills, 2011)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by Mills and Finn


 * 1) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Silly Street //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">by Jeff Foxworthy and Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Foxworthy, J. (2009). //Silly street.// New York, NY: Harper Collins.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(ISBN 978-0-06-17919-6)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clarksville Montgomery Public Library

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A book like Jeff Foxworthy’s “Silly Street” can be used to teach poetry. The 14 poems range on topics from bubble gum and butterflies to pogo sticks and popsicles. The near rhymes and perfect rhymes are wonderful examples that allow students to laugh as they engage in the literature. I asked my daughter, a third grade struggling reader, if she would like to hear some poetry. She wrinkled her nose to tell me she didn’t like the idea. I began reading anyway. After the third poem she asked me to read to her as she walked the dog, and she wanted to hear them all before we left for school. Students benefit from examples that show a variety of uses and content in all literature. Teacher’s need to include humor poetry to ensure that all students become engaged in the format.(Friedman, 2012; Roach, 2009)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by Friedman and Roach.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adolescent works (chapter books)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1. // Bad Kitty for President  // written and illustrated by Nick Bruel.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bruel, N. (2012). //Bad kitty for president.// New York, NY: Scholastic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(ISBN 978-1250010162)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Books-A-Million, Clarksville, TN

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Primary social studies classes can use //Bad Kitty for President// to illustrate elections and politics. In both the De Grotte (2012)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and Y. (n.d.)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> reviews Bad Kitty is given an “A” for providing a comprehensive description of the election process from deciding to run to the Election Day. By incorporating humor, //Bad Kitty//, allows the reader to learn about elections without feeling overwhelmed by the complex process. Old Kitty is retiring and a new leader must be chosen. Bad Kitty and Big Kitty enter into the election process. An appendix is provided for the election terms. This allows students to check their context meaning versus the dictionary meaning.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by: De Grotte and Y.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Agent Amelia Ghost Diamond //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">written and illustrated by Michael Broad.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Broad, M. (2007). //Agent Amelia ghost diamond.// New York, NY: Scholastic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clarksville Montgomery Public Library.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">For the older students //Agent Amelia: Ghost Diamond// is a good choice.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This chapter book reviewed by both Ellison (2011) and Faudez (<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2007) is considered an excellent choice for young readers as they transfer into chapter books. The situations that Amelia uncovers in her cases keep the reader laughing and turning the page. Humor is incorporated into the plots of the “criminal masterminds” and into the manner in which Amelia foils them. Her backpack has everything she will need to solve her three cases. Amelia must hide that she is a secret agent from everyone, especially her mother.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewed by: Ellison and Faundez

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">References:

Amazon. (Retailer). (2007). Agent amelia: Ghost diamond! cover. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51W1ZHdajxL.jpg

Bell, N. D. (2009). Learning about and through humor in the second language classroom. //Language Teaching Research//, 13(3), 241-258. doi:10.1177/1362168809104697

De Grotte, E. (2012, February 10). Book review: 'bad kitty for president' teaches about election process. //Desert News//. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705399141/Book-review-Bad-Kitty-for-President-teaches-about-election-process.html

De Grotte, E. (Reviewer). (2012). Bad kitty forpresident cover. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705399141/Book-review-Bad-Kitty-for-President-teaches-about-election-process.html

Ellison, K. (2011). Ghost Diamond!/Zombie Cows!. //School Library Journal//, 57(8), 70.

Faundez, A. (2007, September). Agent amelia: Ghost diamond!. //Books for keeps//, (166), Retrieved from http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/166/childrens-books/reviews/agent-amelia-ghost-diamond

Finn, K. (2010). I Wanna New Room. //School Library Journal//, 56(12), 87.

Friedman, D. (2012). Silly street: Book review. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/silly-street.

Fuhler, C. J. (1999). Promoting reading and writing through humor and hope. (cover story). //Childhood Education//, 76(1), 13.

Jill. (Reviewer). (2011). When a draon moves in cover. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://wellreadchild.blogspot.com/2011/05/when-dragon-moves-in-by-jodi-moore.html.

Jordan, C. (reviewer). (n.d.). Interrupting Chicken cover. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.southernplate.com/2012/03/interrupting-chicken-story-time-video.html

Karre, M. (2011). Interrupting Chicken. //School Library Journal//, 57(6), 59.

Kher, N., Molstad, S., & Donahue, R. (1999). Using humor in the college classroom to enhance teaching effectiveness in 'dread courses'. //College Student Journal//, 33(3), 400.

Kirkus Reviews (2007) You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?. //Kirkus Reviews//, 75(17), 921.

Klesius, J. P., Laframboise, K. L., & Gaier, M. (1998). Humorous literature: motivation for reluctant readers. //Reading Research & Instruction//, 37(4), 253-261.

Marcus, L. S. (2011). Chicken, Interrupted: The Art of David Ezra Stein. //Horn Book Magazine//, 87(4), 28.

Mills, R. (2011). I Wanna New Room. //Library Media Connection//

Owen, M. H. (2007). You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?. //School Library Journal//, 53(12), 86.

Roach, J. (2009). Silly Street. //School Library Journal//, 55(7), 72.

Shubitz, S. (reviewer). (n.d.). I wanna new room. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://twowritingteachers.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/iwannanewroom.jpg

Solow, J. (2011). When a Dragon Moves In. Library Media Connection, 30(2), 63.

Stanfield, L. (2011). When a Dragon Moves In. //School Library Journal//, 57(9), 126.

Y, M. (n.d) Sweet on books: Review. //ABCNews 7//: //New York//. Retrieved from http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/feature?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=8518239