The Laughing Book by Kael Tudor

I picked up today's read because...

Well, isn't it obvious?

We could all use a little more in life, and I'm hoping that this book brings exactly that. It appears that it also takes a little dive into the causes of laughter and different types. So let's take a look and see if we come back out with a smile on the face!

THE LAUGHING BOOK

by Kael Tudor & Daniel Wiseman

Happy Yak

Picture Book

17 pages

ages 3 to 5

COMING JUNE 26th!!!

Everybody laughs. Some people laugh all of the time. Others laugh some of the time. And some people say they never laugh (though I bet they do when nobody is looking). When do you laugh?

The Laughing Book is a joyful story celebrating how wonderful it feels to laugh! Some people cackle or chortle, hoot, howl, or roar… or giggle and guffaw! This book highlights how laughter is the best medicine and can bring us all together, and cheer us up when we’re feeling sad. Brought to life with energetic, vibrant, and bold illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator Daniel Wiseman.

Laughter is contagious, and this positive, stupendously silly picture book is perfect for spreading happiness... once you start laughing you won’t be able to stop. What makes you laugh?

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Everyone laughs, and this book explores that in a splendid way, which will surely a grab, at least, a chuckle or more.

This is a celebration of laughter...all sorts of laughter. From giggles to haws to cackles and more, these pages expose the huge variety laughs can hold. Not only do they sound different depending on the person and reason, but they are also caused by all sorts of reasons and situations. By the end, readers will be seeing laughter in a new light.

This is a short, quick read which dives into the world of laughter. The bright images portray all sorts of kids and adults in various scenes which embrace laughter. Several of the pages show different people laughing in different ways...which makes for a fun read-aloud. Then, the book slides into the theme of what causes laughter. Two pages are devoted to a few jokes, which might have been better chosen but fulfil their purpose. Other pages hit everything from fun laughter during play to not-so-nice laughter at someone else's expense, which not everyone finds silly depending on the personality. So, it covers a large scope and demonstrates how different laughter truly is. But what I found especially nice is that the book makes a full circle by returning to a very similar scene as the first one was, and leaves with the invitation to laughter.

The text and images are well done and fit nicely to the intended age group. I also see this one fitting for slightly older listeners/readers, since it does open up thought surrounding laughter and could easily be used for a discussion. It works great as a read-aloud for group settings and is also one to snuggle up with for smaller settings. If nothing else, it puts a smile on the face.

Review: My Brother the Duck by Pat Zietlow Miller

MY BROTHER THE DUCK

by Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Chronicle Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 3 to 5

COMING...

APRIL 21st!!!

A new sibling book with humor, heart, and a dash of the scientific process sure to delight young readers.

Is Stella's new baby brother a duck?
All the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction, but Stella knows that scientists can't just wing it. Further research is definitely required.

This sweet and silly book is just ducky for new siblings, fledgling scientists and anyone who loves a good laugh.

• Read-aloud books for children and siblings
• New baby gift for siblings
• Pat Zietlow Miller has published numerous children's books, including the critically acclaimed Be Kind.

Picture-book-reading new siblings who enjoyed The New Small Person, Little Miss Big Sis, and Julius Baby of the World will love the sweet and silly humor of My Brother the Duck.

        

MY TIDBITS

What a fun, slightly quirky-geek way to dive into the adventure a baby sibling brings!

This little girl doesn't know what to think. She thought she was getting a new baby brother, but when her parents walk in with a bundle of yellow, fluffy joy, and it squeaks and has the strangest nose/mouth, she's almost convinced it's a duck! After all, her mom was waddling around like a duck shortly before the birth, too. But this girl knows not to jump the creek too fast and does the only thing a proper scientist can—collect the evidence and facts before making a conclusion. But the more facts she collects, the stranger things become.

This is a little girl full of spunk, the kind that you can't help but want to play with...if you could. Her imagination is huge, and yet, she squiggles in her version of scientific logic along the way. She's not completely wrong, and that's what makes this tale giggle worthy. Her deductions and finds are true, while somehow, not quite hitting the mark. It's a delight to watch as she fiddle and fuddles and gets things right, too.

The illustrations are bright, bold and let the emotions fly. They provide the reality and back up the study material the little girl presents, while supporting the silliness of everything in a very down-to-earth way. But this isn't only about the humor. Bringing a new sibling into the house has caused this girl's world to turn upside-down. As her facts lead to an odd conclusion, the warming of her heart is adorable and makes the reader feel fuzzy inside. And this makes the ending...a surprise...even more enjoyable.

Summed up, this is a cute read, and not only for those dealing with a new sibling. It's a tale which will make everyone smile.



And here they are...

The Author...
Pat Zietlow Miller is the is the award-winning picture book author of Be Kind, Sophie's Squash, Sharing the Bread, The Quickest Kid in Clarksville, and Wherever You Go, among others.

The Illustrator...

Daniel Wiseman is a growing presence in children's books, having illustrated a dozen books in the past three years. 

Review: When Your Lion Needs A Bath by Susanna Leonard Hill

WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH

by Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Little Simon

Board Book 

ages 2 to 4

26 pages

When your lion needs a bath, you have to be pretty sneaky! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to get your lion into that tub!

Does your lion need a bath? When your lion needs a bath, you must be a little sneaky. After all, have you ever met a cat who likes water? So gather up your towels and rubber ducks and get that lion into the tub! But be careful…or you just might end up in the bath, too!

MY TIDBITS

This book packs a ton of fun.

Your lion needs a bath. Yes, a full-fledged teeth-baring lion covered in dirt and twigs and more. Too bad the lion hates bathes, which means you have to get sneaky about it. The suggestions and advice are worth their weight in gold for all those lion owners out there.

The thick, sturdy pages make this a book for small hands and ready to encounter a few bumps, drops and smudges. The cover is bright and introduces the problem from the get-go. The lion needs a bath, and although he has the looks of a real lion, he's actually quite tame. Just water shy. The antics are smile and giggle worthy as suggestions are given on how to get that lion into the tub. Words are kept at a minimum and playfully chosen, keeping the action and humor high.

Bright colors make up the simple illustrations, which still hold enough detail to have young eyes coming back again and again. The pictures accompany the words while also adding the right punch to the tale.

In other words, this is a fun read great for young listeners. . .and they'll be more than capable of bathing their own lion after reading this. Maybe.




Susanna Leonard Hill is the award-winning author of nearly a dozen books for children, including Punxsutawney Phyllis (A Booklist Children's pick and Amelia bloomer Project choice); No Sword Fighting in the House (a Junior Library Guild selection): Can't Sleep Without Sheep ( a Children's Book of the Month); and Not Yet, Rose (a Gold Mom's Choice Award winner). She lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley with her husband, children and two rescue dogs. She loves chocolate animals and being outdoors.


Daniel Wiseman likes to draw. A lot. He likes it so much, he's made a career out of it. Usually, he draws animals wearing clothes, or kids enjoying a good dance party. Daniel currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife and son. When he isn't drawing, he can usually be found perfecting his biscuit recipe, hiking up a mountain in some faraway location, singing loudly in his car, riding his bike on the mean streets of STL, or napping.

Review: When Your Elephant Has The Sniffles by Susanna Leonard Hill

WHEN YOUR ELEPHANT HAS THE SNIFFLES

By Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Little Simon

Board Book

ages 2 to 4

26 pages

When your elephant has the sniffles, you better make sure he doesn’t sneeze! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to make an under-the-weather elephant feel better!

Does your elephant have the sniffles? Make sure to take good care of him because you don’t want him to start sneezing. Gather up your tissues and your pillows and make that elephant feel better! But don’t get too close…or you just might end up with the sniffles, too! 

MY TIDBITS

Sniffles are never a positive thing, especially when they strike your elephant. This tiny story brings tissue loads of giggles and a couple words of good advice--not only for elephant owners.

Your elephant has a cold, which is never pleasant, but there is one thing that you need to avoid at all costs--him sneezing. And this exactly tells you how to avoid such a catastrophe.

This is a cute, little board book, perfect for pudgy, small hands. It's robust, has thick pages and guarantees hours of reading even after being thrown around a few times. The cover caught my eye right away, and I wanted to hug that elephant before the story even begins. He's a friendly enough elephant and follows every word of advice the little girl in the story gives him. Young listeners will easily set themselves into both the elephant's and the girl's position and be engrossed in the simple but very familiar situation.

The illustrations are colorful, bubbly and hold enough detail to keep little eyes coming back time and again for another glance. Even when someone isn't around to help read-aloud, the story still comes to life in the pictures.

This isn't only a cute tale but holds a few pieces of valuable information on what to do if you have a cold. Lots of bed rest, warmth and love are vital for anyone to get healthy again. Mix this with the subtle amount of funny tension lurking in the background--what if the elephant really sneezes?--and this is a wonderful read for kids ages 2 and up.


Susanna Leonard Hill is the award-winning author of nearly a dozen books for children, including Punxsutawney Phyllis (A Booklist Children's pick and Amelia bloomer Project choice); No Sword Fighting in the House (a Junior Library Guild selection): Can't Sleep Without Sheep ( a Children's Book of the Month); and Not Yet, Rose (a Gold Mom's Choice Award winner). She lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley with her husband, children and two rescue dogs. She loves chocolate animals and being outdoors.


Daniel Wiseman likes to draw. A lot. He likes it so much, he's made a career out of it. Usually, he draws animals wearing clothes, or kids enjoying a good dance party. Daniel currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife and son. When he isn't drawing, he can usually be found perfecting his biscuit recipe, hiking up a mountain in some faraway location, singing loudly in his car, riding his bike on the mean streets of STL, or napping.