Books to Make You Laugh

I know there are a TON of books out there that put a smile on your face and make you chuckle.  Here are a few that have made my son laugh out loud the last few weeks.

Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter

Meet Larry the purple monster.  Inside Larry's book there is a button and YOU MUST NOT PUSH THE BUTTON.  Larry tells us several times that we should not even think about pushing the button but temptation gets the best of us and when no one is looking we push the button!  Suddenly Larry changes from purple to yellow.  When the button is pushed again in hopes to turn Larry back to purple he turns yellow polka dot!  The book goes on, the button gets pushed and something silly happens to Larry.  Finally, Larry gets back to normal but it was so fun we have to push the button one last time!  It is so fun to read this aloud and let kids push the button while you are reading.  It is sure to elicit some laughs!

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

An elephant, moose, bear and turkey are the stars of this silly story by Sandra Boynton.  The animals are showing off different articles of clothing.  First, they show off their blue hat, green hat, yellow hat and oops! Turkey is standing in his hat! With each article of clothing (shirts, pants, coat, socks and shoes) Elephant, Moose and Bear are wearing the clothes correctly but Turkey is always being silly.  At the end of the book Turkey is fully dressed correctly, ready to jump in the pool... OOPS! Children love to see the silly ways that Turkey wears his clothes, proving that turkeys really are turkeys!

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie are back at it and this time they realize they are in a book.  They cannot believe it.  After reveling at how cool it is that they are in a book being read by a reader Piggie has an idea.  She tells Gerald that she can make the reader say a word, if they read out loud.  Gerald thinks this is a great idea.  Piggie says, "Banana" and her and Gerald both lose it, laughing hysterically.  The pages are filled with hahahah and heeeheeeheee.  Piggie and Gerald even have tears in their eyes.  Piggie and Gerald's laughs are contagious.  You will soon find yourself laughing right along with them!

What books make you chuckle?

Happy Reading!
Laura

International Literacy Day

How great is it to have an entire day devoted to reading and literacy?  Last year I shared a book about reading with you all for International Literacy Day (see that post here).  So I think I will do the same this year!  This one just happens to be written by my favorite author and includes two of my favorite literary characters!

Gerald and Piggie go on yet another adventure in We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems.  This time the two friends realize that they are in a book and are being read.  They love it!  It is so cool that they are being read they chant it, "We are being read!  We are in a book!"  Then Piggie realizes that they can make the reader say different words, but only if the reader reads out loud.  Piggie makes the readers say, "banana" and Gerald and Piggie are overcome with laughter.  Banana is so funny to the two of them! Heeheehee Hahaha!  Then Gerald realizes that soon the book will end and he goes from laughing to crying.  He tells the reader that he, "has more to give.  More words... more bananas!"  Luckily, Piggie once again saves the day by asking the reader to, "Please read us again."

My son got his own copy of this book for completing the 1,000 books before kindergarten challenge from the Louisville Free Public Library.  For more information about this program you can click here.

You don't have to read a book about reading today, but at least read something in honor of International Literacy Day!

Happy Reading!
Laura

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Ice Cream.... YUM!

I don't know about you but when I think of summer, ice cream almost ALWAYS comes to mind.  There is something about that cool, sweet treat on a warm day that can make you forget all about how hot it is.

If you are an ice cream lover, like me, then you probably already knew that yesterday, July 20, was National Ice Cream Day!  If for some reason you missed it, don't worry Ronald Reagan designated the entire month of July National Ice Cream Month- so you still have 10 days to celebrate and enjoy.

I have a couple of suggestions of how to enjoy the last 10 days of National Ice Cream Month.  First, if you are in the Louisville Area, try out some of these local ice cream treats.  I am sure that they are all AMAZING!

Then, you need to have an ice cream themed read aloud.  Although there are several high quality books about ice cream for this occasion I am going to recommend Should I Share My Ice Cream?  by Mo Willems.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? is an Elephant and Piggie book, that will speak straight to any ice cream lovers' heart.  Gerald the elephant loves ice cream (what elephant doesn't right?) and is so excited when the ice cream man shows up that he buys a cone.  As he is preparing to devour his cone he remembers his best friend, Piggie and wonders if he should share his ice cream with her. Then the ever indecisive Gerald goes back and forth between sharing his ice cream and not sharing his ice cream until... his ice cream melts and drops on the floor.  He is beside himself with sadness.  Not only can he not share his ice cream with Piggie, but he can't even eat any ice cream.  In the words of Gerald he, "blew it." Piggie shows up and saves the day with another ice cream cone for the two to share, teaching us there is nothing better than sharing a yummy ice cream cone with your best friend on a hot day!

I hope you enjoy the rest of ice cream month as much as I will!

Happy Reading!
Laura