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Humor and laughter are essential to life. They keep things in balance and refresh the spirit and body.

Are You Quite Polite?, written by Alan Katz, illus. by David Catrow, (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
This new collection of humorous poems introduces a generation of children to manners and etiquette. Katz has rewritten lyrics to 14 familiar songs on various subjects such as lateness, table manners, sneezing, and nose picking. Being silent in the library is sung to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", lyrics about not chewing gum at school is sung to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", "Writing Thank-Yous" is expressed through the tune "Alouette", and "Try Being Neat" compliments the tune of "America the Beautiful". Kids will love this latest book of Katz and Catrow, while parents, hopefully, remember all the tunes.

Batter Up Wombat, written by Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin & Co., 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
The Champs feel that this season, in the North American Wildlife League, will be different from the last one, in which they finished last. An Australian wombat joins the baseball team, and his ignorance of the rules save the day when an unexpected tornado strikes. Lester's hilarious wordplay and Munsinger's zany illustrations will delight the whole family.

Big Chickens Fly the Coop, written by Leslie Helaioski, illus. by Henry Cole, (Dutton Children's Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Feeling cooped up, four hapless chickens from Big Chickens decide to find the farmhouse. Unfortunately, they look in all the wrong places. The Doghouse proves to be too scary, the tractor is too dirty, and the barn has wild ponies. Finally, they locate the farmhouse and realize that their coop is next door. The only explanation, of course, is that someone moved the coop. This silly, flapping squawking farmyard adventure is sure to tickle every child's funny bone.

The Big Orange Splot, written & illus. by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, (Scholastic, Inc., 1977), 32p,
Ages 4-8.
After a seagull drops a can of orange paint on the roof, Mr. Plumbean decides to paint his house every color of the rainbow. At first the neighbors are horrified, but soon they come to understand that being different can be very rewarding.

The Big Sneeze, written & illus. by Ruth Brown, (Mulberry Books, 1997), 28p, Ages 3-6.
A sleeping farmer sneezes and sends a buzzing fly sailing through the air causing a hilarious chain-reaction barnyard catastrophe!

Bobo and the New Neighbor, written /illus. by Gail Page, (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Bobo is a helpful dog. He loves long walks, new neighbors, the mailman, and muffins. Sometimes in his eagerness to help, he lands in hot water. When his owner invites a new neighbor for tea, Bobo helps prepare for her visit. Due to an encounter with the laundry (instead of carrying in the laundry, he decides to wear it), Bobo is mistaken for the new neighbor, Mrs. Wrinklerump. He decides not to correct the mistake, when he spies the muffins that are set out to welcome her. Instead, he samples the newly baked muffins and eats all but one. Only the cat is suspicious and exposes him as an imposter. By the time the real Mrs. Wrinklerump appears, only one muffin remains. Bobo does the right thing, cuts the muffin in four pieces and everyone shares. This well-meaning, big-hearted canine is sure to warm every heart that reads and listens to this charming story.

A Child's Guide to Common Household Monsters, written by James Otis Thach, illus. by David Udovic, (Front Street, 2007), 32p, Ages 2-6.
A little girl decides to do something about the monsters in her house. It turns out that they are more afraid of her and one another than she is of them. One by one, she wins over the sock monster under her bed, the closet monster who loves freshly laundered clothes, and the timid attic monster with Christmas lights on his antlers. She discovers that they all fear the basement monster. "He hides among the spider webs/behind the washer-dryer/and warms his many hands/before the boiler's glowing fire." Now that they are friends, they all share milk and cookies until the next scary storm arrives when they all run to hide under the bedcovers. Told in humorous rhyme, children will love the friendly looking monsters that are far more cute than scary.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type, written by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin,
(Simon & Schuster, 2000), 32p, Ages 4-8.
When the cows in Farmer Brown's barn find a typewriter, they compile their grievances in notes and demand better working conditions. The farmer denies their requests and the cows go on strike.

The Cow That Laid an Egg, written by Andy Cutbill, illus. by Russell Ayto, (HarperCollins, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Unable to ride a bicycle or do handstands like the other cows, Marjorie yearns for her own special talent. Thanks to a few sneaky chickens with paintbrushes, one day Marjorie discovers an egg with cow markings. Marjorie now feels very special, after all, how many cows can lay an egg? The barnyard is amazed, the media is called, and Marjorie is featured in "Moos of the World". The cows, however, think that the crafty chickens are responsible. The joke backfires on the chickens when the egg hatches, a little chick emerges, looks at Marjorie, and loudly calls "Moooooooo!" Children will love this outrageous barnyard tale.

The Cow That Was the Best Moo-ther, written by Andy Cutbill, Illus. by Russell Ayto, (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Marjorie, from The Cow That Laid an Egg, proudly enters her baby in a farmyard baby contest. For cows only, Marjorie overlooks the fact that Daisy is a chicken and enters her anyway. Daisy causes a commotion when she slurps a worm from the judge's hat. With the whole barnyard in hysterics, Marjorie declares, "Daisy might not be like your babies-but she's mine, and I love her!" Awarded first prize for the world's best mom, Marjorie receives a kiss from Derek the bull and admiration from the chickens. Clever illustrations match this cute story with appealing characters.

Dear Fish, written/illus. by Chris Gall, (Little, Brown & Co., 2006), 40p, Ages 5-9.
After a wonderful day at the beach, Peter Alan leaves a note in a bottle, addressed to the fish, and throws it out to sea. "Where you live is pretty cool. You should come visit us some day. Plus, my Mom makes good pies." Little did Peter dream that groupers, puffer fish, whales, jellyfish, sawfish, soapfish, eels, and many others would visit. Chaos ensues until Peter writes another note asking them to return home. After weeks of cleaning up fish goo, and shark eggs, "except for the stains left behind by the sea slugs-you can never get those out," things return to normal. When Peter and his family return to the beach, Peter notices a note in a seashell, "Dear Human . . ." Endpapers identify more than thirty species of fish in the story.

Digby Takes Charge, written/illus. by Caroline Jayne Church, (McElderry Books, 2007), 32p, Ages 4-7.
As the new sheepdog on a small farm, Digby wants to make a good impression. Confident in his sheepherding abilities, Digby begins to herd six sheep into their pen. However, the beady-eyed, frowning sheep have other ideas, and they refuse to budge. Digby tries herding with a bulldozer, a truck, and a helicopter, but the sheep just smile and laugh. In this battle of wills, only a suggestion by two cows and four pigs makes a difference. The last page has Digby wondering if "please" will also work with the ducks. This simple lesson in manners will certainly please parents.

Don't Take Your Snake for a Stroll, written by Karin Ireland, illus. by David Catrow, (Harcourt, Inc., 2003), 32p, Ages 3-7.
In this cautionary story, chaos results when a little boy takes an unusual group of pets to places
usually reserved for people.

Dooby Dooby Moo, written by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin, (Atheneum Books, 2006), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Duck is on a mission to win first prize (a used trampoline) at the county fair's talent show. While Farmer Brown sleeps, Duck organizes late-night practices with the animals for singing and interpretive dancing. Farmer Brown suspects that the animals are up to something, so he takes them along to the fair. The animals sneak off to perform, but the pigs fall asleep before their performance. Duck steps in to sing, "Born to be Wild, which earns him a standing ovation and approval of the judges. Now, late at night a mysterious boinging is heard around the farmyard. Other books in the series include, "Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type" and "Giggle, Giggle, Quack."

Down the Back of the Chair, written by Margaret Mahy, illus. by Polly Dunbar, (Clarion Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Growing poorer by the day, a family thinks that they are facing ruin when Dad loses the car keys. Daughter Mary suggests looking down the chair, and a crazy assortment of items turn up, even "A crumb, a comb, a clown, a cap/a pirate with a treasure map/a dragon trying to take a nap . . ." Suddenly Dad finds his money box, and the family is poor no more. Told in lively rhyme with a delightfully optimistic tone, this one is for the whole family.

Eat Your Peas, Ivy Louise!, written/illus. by Leo Landry, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2005),
32p. Ages 2-6.
Ivy Louise's parents encourage her to eat her peas, unaware that the peas are performing circus acts on her tray. The pea ringmaster orders the acrobats, clowns and the rest of the circus onto Ivy's spoon and she propels them out the window into the garden.

The Emperor of Absurdia, written/illus. by Chris Riddell, (HarperCollins Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Outlandish adventures await a young boy when he dreams of sky-swimming fish, umbrella trees, a fuzzy wardrobe monster, and pointy birds. Breakfast is served, followed by supper, which promptly hatches and flies off to mama. When the Emperor decides to follow the baby dragon, he encounters a very disgruntled mama. "The dragon chased the Emperor across the bouncy mountains, and through the pillow hills, under the umbrella trees and toward the flower beds." Rescued by the squawking pointy bird, the Emperor tumbles into the arms of the Wardrobe Monster, who tucks him into bed. In the morning, the young boy awakes to find all his favorite toys from his dream. The magic is in award-winning Chris Riddell's marvelous illustrations.

Epossumondas Plays Possum, written by Coleen Salley, illus. by Janet Stevens, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009), 40p, Ages 3-7.
Set in a Louisiana swamp, the lovable little diaper-clad possum is back with his Mama in the fourth and final picture book. Warned about the swamp's fearsome loup-garou, which snatches possums in its huge claws, Epossumondas follows a butterfly into the swamp and becomes lost. He meets a ferocious swamp cat, a huge slithery snake, a fierce swamp hog, and a powerful swamp buzzard, but by playing dead, the animals leave him alone. When Mama locates him, he is admonished for not trying to escape. Epossumondas replies, "I just played dead, like every good possum should!" In Southern tradition, Mama carries him home to have sweet tea. Note from the Author explains the legend of the loup-garou and the defense mechanisms of possums. As a lasting tribute to Colleen Salley, Janet Stevens has rendered Mama in the spitting image of the late New Orleans' storyteller.

Farley Found It!, written/illus. by Bruce Van Patter, (Boyds Mills Press, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-6.
Farley loves being a sheep, but he dislikes the scary meadow at night. When he looks for new sleeping lodgings, he discovers Edna's doghouse. Now, Edna must change the location of the doghouse every day, in order to keep Farley from sleeping in her house. She tries the haystack, the henhouse, and an oak tree, but Farley always finds the doghouse. Edna finally decides to build another doghouse, and the problem seems solved, except the other sheep are eyeing the new doghouse.

Fleas, written by Jeanne Steig, illus. by Britt Spencer, (Philomel Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
There is a saying about a place for everything and everything in it's place. Farmer Quantz might agree as he takes readers on a comical journey, swapping fleas from a stray dog for a talkative uncle, the uncle for a wheel of limburger cheese, then a banjo, a wig, a pet rabbit, a used bone, and finally the original dog (without the fleas). It's pure fun to witness the trading of useless items, and then watch everyone come together at a flea circus where all the participants in the story play a role. As he saunters home with the dog by his side, Farmer Quantz sings, "Patta pim-pam-pun, what a barrel of fun!" Sprinkled with wonderful, lyrical language, this story makes a fun read-aloud for children.

Flusi, the Sock Monster, written & illus. by Bine Brandle, (Kane/Miller Publishers, 2004),
32p, Ages 3-7.
Flusi is a small blue monster who hides in the laundry room and thinks that socks are "everything". Using socks to hide in, wear, or decorate his cave, Flusi is happy but lonely. One day he is rescued from the washing machine by a small girl, and they learn that compromises must be made in order to maintain a friendship.

Gator Gumbo: A Spicy-Hot Tale, written by Candace Fleming, illus. by Sally Anne Lambert,
(Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Too old to catch a spicy dinner, this crafty alligator uses his wits to outsmart the animals that tease him. Gator decides to cook up some gumbo. Possum, skunk, and otter are more than ready to enjoy Gator's cuisine, but realize too late that they are the dinner.

The Giant Jam Sandwich: Book and CD, written by John Vernon Lord/Janet Burroway, illus. by John Vernon Lord, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007), 32p, Ages 5-8.
"One hot summer in Itching Down, Four million wasps flew into town." Faced with a painful problem, the townspeople devise a brilliant plan to trap the wasps in a giant jam sandwich. The whole town pitches in to help Bap the Baker make, bake, slice a huge loaf of bread, and carry it to Farmer Seed's field, where they spread on truckloads of butter and sticky strawberry jam and drop another slice of bread on top to trap the wasps (only three fly away). Children will enjoy the rhyming text and lively illustrations. First published in 1972, this edition includes a CD for hours of listening enjoyment.

Giggle, Giggle, Quack, written & illus. by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin, (Simon & Schuster, 2002), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Farmer Brown leaves his brother Bob in charge while he goes on vacation, but with a warning, "Keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble." What Bob fails to realize is that Duck has rewritten the instructions.

Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates, written by Carolyn Crimi, illus. by John Manders, (Candlewick Books, 2009), 40p, Ages 4-8.
The bunnies from Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies return in their second book about floppy-eared pirate scallywags. Henry finds a message in a bottle reading, "We're coming to steal all yer loot. We'd appreciate yer complete cooperation. BOWK! Sincerely, Yer worst enemies." The buck-teethed buccaneers are too busy shooting each other out of cannons and swinging from the ship's masts to listen to Henry's warnings of peril. While writing a book about coping with impending danger, Henry fails to notice a chicken-filled hot-air balloon descend and capture the bunnies. Coming to the rescue, Henry captures the chickens and sets them adrift in a boat with books about ocean sunsets, ways to cook coconuts, and warnings about not drinking seawater. Children will enjoy the goofy characters, a light-hearted story, and a hero who is very prepared for anything.

I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello, written by Barbara S. Garriel, illus. by John O'Brien, (Boyds Mills Press, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Based on an old folk rhyme, a shy young man decides, for unexplained reasons, to swallow many musical instruments. When he consumes a tiny bell, everything is belched up in reverse. It is very nonsensical but loads of fun for kids.

I Wanna Iguana, written by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illus. by David Catrow, (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004) 32p, Ages 4-7.
Alex wants an Iguana, and in a series of notes to Mom, he pleads the benefits of owning one. Family debates have never been funnier.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, written by Laura Numeroff, illus. by Felicia Bond, (Laura Geringer Books,2008), 32p, Ages 3-7.
In the tradition of the previous books (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, and If You Give a Pig a Party), the silliness continues with a small cat, who is given a cupcake by a little girl. Of course, the cupcake needs sprinkles, which creates a mess. "Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit and take him to the beach." At the beach, he collects everything in sight. Because the load is heavy, he decides to workout at the gym. Then it's on to the park, a row across the lake, a ride on the merry-go-round whale, and a visit to the science museum. Once home, he empties the sand from his shoes, which reminds him of sprinkles. And it begins again. For all children who enjoyed the popular series, this silly and nonsense story will not disappoint them.

Jungle Drums, written & illus. by Graeme Base, (Harry N. Abrams, 2004), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Little Ngiri, the smallest warthog in Africa, is tired of being teased by the beautiful animals across the river. When Ngiri is given magic drums, his wish is granted in a very different way. As always, Base's illustrations are marvelous.

Little Pea, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Jen Corace, (Chronicle Books, 2005), 36p, Ages 3+.
In this comical twist on the universal food problem faced by parents, Little Pea loves vegetables but hates candy. Each night he struggles with the main course of candy, but his parents insist that he clean his plate in order to have the spinach dessert.

The Magic Hat, written by Mem Fox, illus. by Tricia Tusa, (Harcourt Inc., 2002 HC, Voyager Books, 2006 pb), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Written in fun, repetitive rhyming, "The Magic Hat" tells the story of a blue hat that whirls into a park one day. As it plops on each adult's head, they are instantly transformed into an animal. "Oh, the magic hat, the magic hat!/ It moved like this, it moved like that!/ It spun through the air/Like a bouncing balloon/And sat on the head of a hairy . . . baboon!" Adults may notice the clever details of a banana-juggling vendor who becomes a baboon when the hat alights on him. A huge wizard restores everyone to normal, puts the hat on, and bounces out of town as a fun-loving boy.

Manny's Cows: The Niagara Falls Tale, written/illus. by Suzy Becker, (HarperCollins, 2006), 40p, Ages 4-8.
Out of necessity Manny decides to take his 500 cows along on his vacation to Niagara Falls, but there are a few challenges. It takes ingenuity to herd 500 very talkative bovines into busses, although they enjoy the ride by singing their version of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." There are forgotten sunglasses, Flossie gets bus sick, and pit stops are very lengthy. At the Falls, the tours are enjoyable, but the cows much prefer the gift shop, which turns into a very expensive disaster. Putting their heads together, the cows devise an over-the-top plan to repay the damages. There's even enough money to rent limousines for the trip home. A few interesting facts about dairy cows and milking are interspersed through this hilarious tale. "A Cow must be milked 2 times a day, which makes 10 gallons of milk each day. There are 350 squirts in each gallon."

A Mighty Fine Time Machine, written/illus. by Suzanne Bloom, (Boyds Mills Press, 2009), 32p, Ages 5-7.
Three friends decide to turn a big box into a time machine . With lots of "hoozie-doozies" Samantha, the anteater, Grant, the aardvark, and Antoine, the armadillo, sort, mix, and match the doodads and create a magnificent time machine. "Grant set the dials to another time and place. Sam counted backward. Antoine made blast-off noises. Flippers flapped. Wings whapped. Nothing happened." With a little tweaking and minor adjustments they try again, but it topples down the hill. Sam rethinks the design and comes up with a marvelous bookmobile. Sometimes it's amazing what a little imagination and ingenuity can accomplish.

The Mixed-Up Rooster, written by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illus. by Megan Lloyd, (HarperCollins, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Rather than doing his job of waking up the chickens, Ned, clutching his teddy and wearing purple slippers, snoozes the morning away. Disgusted with him, head hen, Daisy Mae, calls the head office for a replacement. Leaving in a huff, Ned enjoys the company of friends that night, until he spies a snake slithering into the hen house. Sounding the alarm gets Ned reinstated as Head of Night Security. A subtle message about being different with special talents is appealing as well as the amusing artwork.

Monster Trap, written by Dean Morrissey & Stephen Krensky, illus by Dean Morrissey, (HarperCollins, 2004 HC, 2006 PB), 40p, Ages 5+.
While visiting his grandfather, Paddy listens to "Monster Radio Theater" and is positive that monsters are in the house. Pop decides that they need a monster trap, and proceeds to build a contraption that resembles a train engine with gadgets and gizmos. The harmless monsters have such a great time jumping, sliding, and climbing on the train that they decide to stay. This is a great holiday book with charming monsters and one brave little boy.

Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm, written by Joy Cowley, illus. by Elizabeth Fuller, (Puffin Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 3+.
Jolly Mrs. Wishy-Washy is back washing and scrubbing her animals. Cow, Duck, and Pig decide that enough is enough, and run off to the big city where they find loads of trouble, get dirty, and end up in the "animal jail." Rescued by Mrs. Wishy-Washy and back home, they are more than happy to have another bath. A great choice for story time or anytime.

Mud Puddle, written by Robert Munsch, illus. by Sami Suomalainen, (Annick Press, 1979), 32p,
Ages 4-7.
Contrary to popular belief, mud has a mind of its own. That's what Jule Ann discovers when a very determined mud puddle constantly jumps on her. However, Jule Ann comes up with an idea to outsmart the stubborn mud puddle. Don't be surprised when your child begins looking for mud puddles in trees.

Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo, written by Karma Wilson, illus. by Doug Cushman, (Little, Brown &
Co., 2004), 32p, Ages 3-6.
In this cautionary story, a little girl's temper tantrum causes many animals to escape from their cages resulting in chaos. Does the little girl learn her lesson?

Oink?, written by Margie Palatini, illus. by Henry Cole, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 40p, Ages 4-8.
Happy and content, Thomas and Joseph love mucking about their yard. Their neighbors, however, distain their sloppy lifestyle and decide that their pen needs cleaning up. Since the lazy porkers don't seem to understand instructions, the barnyard animals show them how to whitewash the fence, plant a garden, and dig a water hole. When the work is completed, Thomas and Joseph proceed to enjoy the vegetables and splash in the muddy water hole, which just proves that lazy doesn't always mean stupid.

On Top of Spaghetti, written/illus. by Paul Brett Johnson, lyrics by Tom Glazer, (Scholastic Press, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
To the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey," hound dog Yodeler Jones, who only serves meatballs and spaghetti in his restaurant, tells a tale of a crazy meatball that was sneezed out his restaurant's window. It ricocheted all over town and into the ballpark where it was hit by a batter for a home run. This sturdy little meatball finally landed in a bush beside his restaurant where it sprouted into a meatball tree. Kids will love singing along to this zany and slapstick story. Endpapers contain music and lyrics.

The Perfect Nest, written by Catherine Friend, illus. by John Manders, (Candlewick Press, 2007), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Jack, the cat, is hungry and decides to build a perfect nest to attract the perfect chicken that will lay the perfect egg for his omelet. The nest, complete with Christmas lights, pillows, and a welcome mat, attracts not only a Spanish-speaking chicken, but a French-speaking duck and an American-speaking goose. The poultry began to bicker over the nest, but Jack convinces them to leave his nest and take up residence in another nest down the street. Unfortunately, their eggs hatch, and Jack is stuck with three chicks who think he's their mother. As he snuggles down with the three tired chicks, Jack realizes his calling in life, raising three chicks in the most perfect nest of all. This humorous tale becomes more amusing when the chicks hatch with French, American, and Spanish accents.

Pete the Sheep-Sheep, written by Jackie French, illus. by Bruce Whatley, (Clarion Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Most of the sheep shearers in Shaggy Gully use well-trained dogs to round up the sheep, but newcomer Shaun uses a sheep named Pete. The sheep are delighted with Pete and Shaun and wait in line to be sheared. The other shearers, Ratso, Big Bob, and Bungo are not as happy. Nevertheless, all ends well with a successful new career for everyone.

Pirates Don't Change Diapers, written by Melinda Long, illus. by David Shannon, (Harcourt Children's Books, 2007), 44p, Ages 3-7.
A motley crew of pirates turn up at Jeremy Jacob's house and accidentally wake up his baby sister. In a follow-up to How I Became a Pirate, Jeremy refuses to allow Captain Braid Beard and his men to dig up the treasure that they buried in his backyard, until they calm his crying sister. Soothing Bonnie Anne presents problems, as the pirates are unfamiliar with dirty diapers, green baby food, and lullabies. Things get interesting when Bonnie Anne eats off the X-marks-the-spot on the treasure map. However, all ends well when the treasure is found and Jeremy is rewarded with a nice present for his mom's birthday.

Plantzilla Goes to Camp, written by Jerdine Nolen, illus. by David Catrow, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 32p, Ages 5-8.
Mortimer is ecstatic that he's been accepted to Camp Wannaleavee, his father's childhood camp. However, this camp doesn't allow pets, and Plantzilla must stay home. When Mortimer discovers that his roommate is the mean bully Bulford, Plantzilla comes to the rescue. Eluding the sitter and dressing in disguise, Plantzilla boards a bus for the camp to protect his buddy. Told through letters, mainly from Mortimer to his parents, this zany tale will delight children.

Rooster Can't Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, written by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, illus. by Paul Rátz de Tagyos, (Puffin Books, 2004 HC, 2006 pb), 32p, Ages 4+.
Rooster has a sore throat and can't cock-a-doodle-doo to wake up Farmer Ted. Thus, there are no eggs gathered, no cows milked, no sheep sheared, and no pigs fed. However, together the animals devise a crazy scheme to wake up the farmer and help him with the chores before sundown. Hilarity abounds as the pigs try to milk the cows, the chickens scissor-cut the sheep, and the sheep, wearing gas masks, feed slop to the pigs, all while Rooster enjoys tea with honey for his throat.

Ruby and the Sniffs, written & illus. by Michael Emberley, Little, Brown & Co., 2004),
32p, Ages 4-8.
When mysterious noises filter down from a vacant apartment, Ruby decides to investigate. She finds very overwhelming neighbors, Poppa pig, Momma Pig and Baby Pig who wonder what Ruby is doing in their apartment.

Showdown at the Food Pyramid, written & illus. by Rex Barron, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2004), 32p, Ages 5+.
Will the healthy foods fight off King Candy Bar and his gang and rebuild the healthy pyramid? A clever introduction to the basics of healthy eating.

Sixteen Cows, written/illus. by Lisa Wheeler, (Harcourt Inc., 2002 HC, Voyager Books, 2006 pb), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Cowboy Gene and Cowgirl Sue own eight cows apiece on adjoining ranches. Each sings a special song to bring their cows home at night. When an Arkansas tornado blows the fence away between their ranches, the cows soon mingle. A singing battle results and the cows become confused and exhausted, until the ranchers call a truce. Now the ranchers plus Mudskipper, Baby Face, Sassafras, Charlotte Grace, Sunflower, Sissy Nell, Button Eyes, Mazie Bell, Twinkle Toes, Peekaboo, Buttercup, Suzy Q, Jelly Rose, Honeydew, Cinderbox, and Bobbie Lou are one happy family.

A Spree in Paree, written & illus. by Catherine Stock, (Holiday House, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Farmer Monsieur Monmouton decides to visit Paris, but so do the farm animals that are packed and ready to go. They have a wonderful time visiting all the famous landmarks, but the farmer returns home exhausted, vowing never again to travel with animals. However, the animals are busy planning their next trip to America.

Stanley Mows the Lawn, written/illus. by Craig Fazier, (Chronicle Books, 2005), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Stanley believes that there is only way to mow the grass until he encounters Hank, the snake, who prefers the uncut grass. Stanley suddenly has a great idea that will satisfy them both - instead of cutting straight, why not zig zag.

Storm Is Coming!, written by Heather Tekavec, illus. by Margaret Spengler, (Puffin Books,
2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
The animals misunderstand the farmer's "storm is coming" warning and expect a scary creature. When the sky grows darker, growls fiercely and flashes bright lights, the animals believe that the sky is protecting them by scaring away "Storm."

Sweet Tooth, written by Margie Palantini, illus. by Jack E. Davis, (Simon & Schuster, 2004),
40p, Ages 4-8.
Stewart has his hands full trying to control his sweet tooth. It demands anything full of sugar, until one day Stewart decides not to give in, changes his nutritional habits, and switches to a healthy diet. This obnoxious and belligerent tooth never gives up, until a carrot decides the outcome.

Tacky Goes to Camp, written by Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children), 32p, Ages 5-8.
Lovable, overweight, and bumbling Tacky joins Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect on a trip to Camp -Whoopihaha. Always the odd penguin, Tacky's supplies consist of a television, pizza, roller blades, and circus tent. He lags behind in rock climbing, synchronized swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and canoeing. When a bear threatens the camp, it's Tacky's obsession for "s'mores" that protect everyone. "The leftovers upon which Tacky had slept had become stuck to his sleeping bag, forming a graham-crackery, chocolaty, marshmallowy face." Frightened by the gooey monster, the bear runs off and Tacky is one sticky hero. Children will enjoy the humorous absurdity of this summer camp story.

Thea's Tree, written by Alison Jackson, illus. by Janet Pedersen, (Dutton Children's Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 6-8.
When Thea's science teacher assigns a month-long Future Scientist Project, Thea plants a purple seed and begins her research, observation, and recording of data. Within a few days the soil turns purple and bubbly. As the vine begins to grow, it engulfs her house and blocks the sun, much to the displeasure of Thea's parents. The story is told through letters to Thea's teacher, the Topeka Horticultural Society, the Topeka Arboretum, the Natural History Museum, the Topeka Zoo, the First Bank of Kansas, the Topeka Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Trent Tree Removal company. These experts have no idea as to the nature of the strange plant, the golden egg, the singing harp, and gold coins that Thea finds under the vine. Adults will quickly grasp the Jack-and-the-Beanstalk story, and children will enjoy watching the Giant uproot the vine and chase a young boy, who is carrying the harp and egg. The conclusion finds Thea gaping at a hole in her front yard and huge footprints leading off into the distance. Janet Pedersen's illustrations capture the hilarious story and dialogue of a science project gone awry. Libraries will not be able to keep this tale on the shelves.

There Are Monsters Everywhere, written/illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books, 2005),
32p, Ages 4+.
For children who think that there are monsters behind shower curtains, under beds, and behind trashcans, they can now conquer their fear. The young boy in this story decides to change his circumstances when he enrolls in a karate class.

Thump, Quack, Moo: A Wacky Adventure, written by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin, (Atheneum Books, 2008), 36p, Ages 3-7.
With excitement and enthusiasm Farmer Brown's chickens, cows, and Duck prepare for the annual Corn Maze Festival. The chickens build a fence around the cornfield, the cows paint the barn, Duck builds the ticket booth, and Farmer Brown constructs the Statue of Liberty corn maze. "The mice are taking a correspondence course on meteorology and are too busy to lend a hand." Duck remains unenthusiastic until he decides to redesign the corn maze. He sneaks into the cornfield with night-vision goggles, a glow-in-the-dark ruler, sketchbook, graph paper, and art supplies. On opening day, Farmer Brown is in for a big surprise. Children will giggle their way through this one.

Tough Chicks, written by Cece Meng, illus. by Melissa Suber, (Clarion Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 4-8.
From the moment they hatch Penny, Polly, and Molly wrestle with the worms, race the bugs, rope the rooster, dive bomb the flies, and tinker with the tractor's engine. The farmer pleads, "Make them be good." Mom replies, "They are good." However, Mom begins to have doubts, until one day the tractor breaks down nearly demolishing the hen house and landing in the pigs' mud hole. Fortunately, the chicks know just what to do. "Under the hood of the tractor, the chicks tightened belts, checked fluids, and patched a few holes with Molly's super-strong mud mixture." These three super-talented chickens will have kids cheering for more success stories.

The Toughest Cowboy: or How the Wild West Was Tamed, written by John Frank, illus. by
Zachary Pullen, (Simon & Schuster, 2004), 48p, Ages 5-8.
Who can tame a wild cowboy like Grizz Brickbottom who flosses his teeth with barbed wire and keeps a rattlesnake in his bedroll to warm his feet? Well, a miniature poodle named Foofy, who fears everything out on the range but loves to catch flying dinner plates.

Trout, Trout, Trout!: A Fish Chant, written by April Pulley Sayre, illus. by Trip Park,
(NorthWord Books for Young Readers, 2004), 32p, Ages 5 +.
Delightful and hilarious freshwater fish are presented in cartoon caricatures and rhyming text. "River Redhorse gotta search! Pygmy Sunfish, Perch, Perch, Perch! The glossary contains a short paragraph on each of the forty-six fish. Kids will enjoy the Bigmouth Buffalo wearing a cowboy hat.

The Underground Gators, written by Tina Casey, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Dutton Children's Books), 32p, 4+.
"Legend has it that alligators live in the sewers of New York City." This explains why hot dogs are so popular (alligators love them), why smoke comes up from streets (alligators love to barbecue), why there are wires on the Brooklyn Bridge (to dry their laundry), and why the Empire State Building is tall (to see Florida while the laundry dries). Some alligators tire of city life and swim away, but there is speculation that they never left. After all, who plays Go Fish with the babysitter at night? Where do the missing socks go from the dryer? (Alligators love sock puppets.).What do teachers do during the summer? (Alligators love education.) Why do donuts have holes in the middle? (To carry on their tales.) Imaginative answers to questions that have plagued the human race for years are all explained in this hilarious spoof on alligators. Tina Casey adds an endnote about the urban legend of alligators in the sewer systems of New York City, what the Department of Environmental Protection has pulled from the sewers, and an environmental warning about flushing things down drains. Adults will enjoy this tale as well as children. ared for anything.\line }

What's That Awful Smell?, written by Heather Tekavec, illus. by Margaret Spengler, (Dial
Books for Young Readers, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-7.
The barnyard animals try to find the source of a terrible smell in the barn. They determine the odor comes from a small piglet, but after washing him in mud and rubbing him in strawberries, nothing works. Cat's few days old sandwich is the problem, and piglet is happy to get rid of the problem.