Quote of the Week

Our Picks for Funny Back-to-School Books

Looking for humorous back-to-school books to ease first-day jitters? Your search ends here. We've hand-picked our favorite funny, school-themed books, all guaranteed to make kids giggle. 

From I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . . by Davide Cali. Illustration copyright 2014 by Benjamin Chaud.

I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . .

by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
Chronicle 2004, ISBN 978-145212-5510-0

How many excuses are there for not doing homework? Let us count the ways: Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood. Elves hid all the pencils. And then there was that problem with carnivorous plants. . . . The excuses go on and on, each more absurd than the next and escalating to hilarious heights. Funny with super-fabulous illustrations. [Anika's pick]

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL

by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz 

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-0763671815

Joe the giraffe and Sparky the turtle return in a hilarious back-to-school adventure! When the two friends hop on a yellow bus full of "noisy short people," and end up in an elementary school, they must navigate the strange customs of their new habitat—including magic "ponds," peas that are for counting not eating, and a quest to earn gold stars. There's nothing better than belly laughs when tackling back-to-school topics, and the latest installment in Michalak's beloved early reader series will garner plenty of giggles and guffaws. [Anika's pick]

From My Teacher Is a Monster (No I Am Not). Illustration copyright 2014 by Peter Brown.

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER (NO, I AM NOT) 

by Peter Brown

Little Brown, 2014; ISBN 978-03160-7029-4

Bobby's teacher, Mrs. Kirby, is a monster. (No, really . . . she's green and she yells and she has sharp teeth.) But when Bobby encounters her on a park bench one day and the two have a chat out of the context of school, he realizes perhaps she's not as scary as he initially thought. A droll and clever way to help kids realize that their teachers are just regular people, and there isn't any reason to be afraid of them. [Anika's pick]

EDDA: A LITTLE VALKYRIE'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

by Adam Auerbach 

Henry Holt & Co., 2014; ISBN 978-08050-9703-0

Pairing Norse mythology with a back-to-school tale really got our attention. The clever story and charming line drawings will surely inspire little Valkyries to summon their own courage when conquering the strange new world of school. [Anika's pick]

PEPPA PIG AND THE BUSY DAY AT SCHOOL

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-07636-7227-0

What will Peppa do at Special Talent Time when her special talents are already chosen by others? Find out in this delightful school story, starring our SECOND-favorite piggy persona (after Mr. Pig, of course)! [Kara's pick]

THE MISS NELSON COLLECTION

by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014; ISBN 978-05440-8222-9

For the first time ever, all three classic stories (Miss Nelson is Missing!, Miss Nelson is Back, and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day) are all available in one volume. A back-to-school read not even Viola Swamp could resist! [Kara's pick]

THE BEAR WITH STICKY PAWS GOES TO SCHOOL

by Clara Vulliamy

tiger tales, 2009; ISBN 1-58925-081-8

Lily doesn't want to go to school. But then--ding dong!--it's the Bear with Sticky Paws, who's come to take Lily to Bear School! At Bear School, you don't hang up your coats; you throw them up in the air. You play ALL of the instruments loudly, and you make a BIG mess. Lily has fun, but soon she's ready to go to her own school. Sweet and silly. [Jamie's pick]

From Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Illustration copyright 2014 by Shane Prigmore.

PLANET KINDERGARTEN 
by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore

Chronicle, 2014; ISBN 978-14521-1893-2
Today is liftoff. "You are well prepared," says Dad. Mom counts down. Into the rocket ship . . . the boosters fire, and we launch. I'm off to PLANET KINDERGARTEN! After reading this clever book, children heading into kindergarten will be ready to suit up for their own daring adventure. [Jamie's pick]
 

MRS. ROOPY IS LOOPY! (My Weird School series)
by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
HarperCollins, 2004; ISBN 978-00605-0704-6 
Know any reluctant readers? Hand them a book from Dan Gutman's side-splitting My Weird School chapter book series STAT. The Ella Mentry School is populated by wacky teachers. Like Mrs. Roopy, the new librarian, who comes to school wearing a pot on her head! One day she thinks she's George Washington, and the next day she's Little Bo Peep. Crazy fun! [Jamie's pick]

BEE-WIGGED

by Cece Bell

Candliewick Press, 2008; ISBN 978-07636-3614-2 

Jerry Bee is an enormous bee who loves people. But people don't love Jerry Bee because . . . well, he's an enormous bee. Then a wig changes Jerry's life--when he puts it on, he looks just like a boy! But when his true identity revealed, will he go back to being a large and lonely bee? The unexpected ending will have kids in stitches. Hair's to you, Cece Bell! [Jamie's pick]

BOO!

Velcome to the Little Crooked Cottage’s Haunted Halloween Bash! 

I am your host. . . Count Pigula! Mwa-ha-ha-ha! 

Don’t mind the cobwebs. I went a little overboard this year because nearly all the spiders RSVP’d yes. Itsy Bitsy, Charlotte and Miss Spider are already here, hanging around. Only one spider sent his regrets--I forget why. Something about being very busy. 

Any-hoo. . .

I like your costume! Are you hungry? Please help yourself, we have so much food! Everyone brought treats. The Girl and Cub brought cookies, of course. We have twelve pounds of banana pudding from the monkeys. Pony brought feather-free macaroni. Oh! And someone brought a sushi platter! Very fancy. I’m not sure who it was, but my money’s on Fang, the shark.

Speaking of. . . apparently, the Big Bad Wolf thought it would be just hilarious to bring a huge tray of Pigs in a Blanket.

Look at my face. Am I laughing? No, no, I'm not.

Ah, well. I won't let it dampen my spirits. How can I? I just LOVE Halloween!

You know what is funny? Zombelina and Vamperina Ballerina came dressed as EACH OTHER! HA! And the Gingerbread Man is dressed as the Elf on the Shelf! Every time he jumps up and sits on the mantle in the living room, I can’t help but giggle. (He’d better be careful, though. I hear he’s had some close calls around fire.)

Really, all the costumes are so creative! A few years ago, we had twenty-three Harry Potters and fifteen Hermiones, but so far this year, I haven’t seen any repeats!

What’s that? No, Vampire Boy doesn’t count, because technically, he’s not in a costume.

Anyway, I’ll let you mingle.

I’ll be hosting a spooky story hour in just a little while, and I have to go get into character. I can’t wait! I’m pulling my favorite spooky stories off The Little Crooked Bookshelf!

It’s going to be SPOOKTACULAR! See you soon! 

Mr. Pig Live!

Hello and welcome to another episode of my hit talk show, MR. PIG LIVE!

We have a very special guest in the Cottage today. He clopped all the way here from town to be with us. Let's give a big round of applause for Crankee Doodle's best friend and ride . . .

PONY!

Welcome, Pony. Thanks for being with us today. May I call you Pony?
Of course. That's my full name.

What is the best thing about being you? 
Just the other day, my mother said I was very loyal. Perhaps too loyal.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
Sugar cubes, my favorite blanket, my pillow with the satin pillowcase cover, my plaid flannel pajamas, my giant toothbrush, a salt lick, a map of the state of Utah, my vast collection of motel soaps and shampoos, my shower cap, a tennis racket, and my best friend, Crankee Doodle. He will hopefully remember to bring the one tennis ball we share.

What three words best describe you?
Persistent, positive, practical, and peppy. Is that three? Someone once described me as “manipulative” and “self-serving,” and that just about broke my heart.

When do you feel the happiest? 
When I spend time with my best friend, Crankee Doodle.

Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? (Or can you already fly or be invisible?)
Mr. Pig, I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings. That's from one of my favorite songs. Do you know it?

Oh, yes! That's my favorite karaoke tune to sing at the Annual Enchanted Woods Holiday Party. So, what is your favorite word? 
Yes.

What is you least favorite word? 
Maybe.

What is your favorite sound?
Steve and Eydie singing “Sleigh Ride.” What a treat!

Indeed! What is your least favorite sound? 
When Crankee cracks his knuckles. Oh!
 
What is your special talent? 
Being nice to others.

I agree, Pony. If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
Misty, who lives in Chincoteague, VA, but my brother Patrick says she's a bit of a recluse and isn't very animated.
Drummer Hoff, another nice man from the Revolutionary War. I think he and Crankee would have a lot to talk about.
Thing Two. He's adorable! That blue hair! Oh!

If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
A feather. For Crankee's hat. He would look so good with that feather, and I have yet to convince him just how good he would look.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now? 
No pocket. Forgot to put on pants this morning!

Erm, it happens. Do you have any siblings?
Yes! Patricia and Patrick and Prunella. Patricia and Patrick live and work on a horse farm in Kentucky, and Prunella is an advertising copy writer and has an apartment (and a boyfriend!) in the Bronx.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
The time I had collard greens stuck in my teeth when I tried out for the part of Misty in the off off off Broadway musical, “Misty of Chincoteague: the Musical.” I was singing “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie,” and the casting director was laughing at me and I thought he was laughing because he liked my singing but it turned out he was laughing because of my teeth and I got upset and couldn't remember the words to the song and then the director gave me a giant toothpick and it wasn't until then that I realized what was going on and by then it was too late and I started sobbing, just really sobbing and oh! I've made myself cry, telling you all this! I've gotta go blow my nose. <sob!>

Oh dear. I've never made a guest cry before. There, there. Let's move on. What is your pet peeve?
How did you know about my pet, Peeve? He is a cat, a little gray tabby. Crankee is not so fond of him, as he tends to be allergic. So wonderful. I'll make sure you meet him next time, Mr. Pig.

What was it like working with Cece Bell and Tom Angleberger? 
Who?

Well that's all the time we have for today. Thank you, Pony! Please stay for lunch. I believe we're having MACARONI!

Tune in for our next show, when I'll be interviewing another toothsome picture book celebrity!

About the Book

* “Best-seller Angleberger of Origami Yoda fame takes on picture books, treating a younger audience to his dry and zany wit. . . . A historical hoot full of goofy, eye-rolling goodness.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “As concepts for picture books go, it’s hard to think of one cleverer than this absurdist deconstruction of the familiar song. . . . Readers will cheerfully hum their way through the giddily imagined argument and resolution.”
—Horn Book, starred review

Clarion Books
Pub date: June 2013
ISBN: 978-05478-1854-2


About the Illustrator
Cece Bell lives in an old church in Virginia and works in a new-ish barn right next door. She's the author-illustrator of the Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover, a Thedor Seuss Geisel Honor Book; Itty Bitty; Bee-Wigged; the Sock Monkey series; and more. She enjoys moments of hilarity with her husband, Tom Angleberger, along with three three lady dogs and two youngsters.

To see more of Cece's books (and her cool house and studio!), visit www.cecebell.com.

About the Author

Tom Angleberger (not Anglebooger!) is the bestselling author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, which won the 2010 E. B. White Read Aloud Award for middle readers, Darth Paper Strikes Back, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet, and Horton Halfpott, which Kirkus dubbed “a romp from start to finish.” Tom Angleberger also writes under the pen name Sam Riddleburger. He lives in Christiansburg, Virginia, with his wife, author and illustrator Cece Bell. 

To learn more about Tom, visit his website.

Literary Lunch

Everyone knows the story of Yankee Doodle. But do you know the tale of Crankee Doodle? Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have given the old song a new spin in their comical and colorful picture book, Crankee Doodle! 

In honor of Pony's visit, Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love has prepared a lunch to make any cranky Yankee smile.

In this lunch, Nina has packed:

• Fancy Macaroni and Cheese,
• baby carrots, lettuce, and a carrot feather to stick in your hat and call it macaroni,
• Pony made with whole wheat bread, WOWBUTTER, apple pieces, candy eyes, and chocolate spread,
• and a few pumpkin snacks to remind us of pumpkin pie.