LAUGH YOURSELF SILLY!

Uncle Shelby's Story of Lafcadio the Lion Who Shot Back by Shel Silverstein   (New York, NY:   HarperCollins, 1963)

Lafcadio the lion decides one day to no longer run away from the hunter, instead choosing to eat him, take his gun and practice shooting until he becomes a perfect marksman, eventually touring as a world famous sharpshooter.   (Ages 6 - up)

Ned Mouse Breaks Away by Tim Wynne-Jones   (Toronto, ON:   Douglas & McIntyre, 2003)

Ned Mouse has been thrown in jail for writing "the government is unfair to mice!" in his spinach.   After many hilarious, yet unsuccessful attempts to escape prison, Ned finally hatches a "foolproof" plan, which will require the help of the slow-witted guard who has been charged with keeping him in prison.   (Ages 6 - 10)

The Twits by Roald Dahl   (New York, NY:   Alfred A. Knopf, 1981)

The Muggle-Wumps, trapped in cages by the Twits, plot revenge on their evil, smelly, nasty, ugly captors.   Told with Roald Dahl's characteristic humour!   (Ages 7 - 11)

Bunnicula: a rabbit tale of mystery by James Howe   (New York, NY:   Atheneum, 1979)

Harold, "a dog by profession," relates the story of his friend Chester, a cat with an over-active imagination, who becomes convinced that the new pet rabbit is a vampire.   (Ages 7 - 11)

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey   (New York, NY:   Scholastic, 1997)

The first book in a series of incredibly silly stories featuring George and Harold, two kids full of prankster-ridden imagination, who accidentally turn their principal into the crime-fighting superhero, Captain Underpants.   (Ages 7 - 10)

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar   (New York, NY:   Avon Books, 1978)

Fun and quirky adventures of the students and teachers in a school that was built sideways, with 30 classrooms piled on top of each other, instead of side-by-side.   (Ages 7 - 12)

Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka   (New York, NY:   Viking Penguin)

With the help of a magic book, three friends travel through time, where they meet famous characters, battle fierce opponents and face the challenge of finding their way home again!   (Ages 7 - 10)

Frindle by Andrew Clements   (New York, NY:   Aladdin Books, 1998)

After working on an extra assignment for Language arts class, Nick gets the brilliant idea to create a new word -- frindle.   Soon everyone is using it, except for his language arts teacher, who believes in the importance of words and their meaning.   The battle is on, but as the popularity of the word spreads, Nick begins to feel things are getting out of control.   (Ages 8 - 12)

The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor   (New York, NY:   Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1993)

Four brothers start a war of practical jokes with the three girls who have just moved into the house across the river.   (Ages 8 - 12)

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler   (Toronto, ON:   McClelland & Stewart, 1975)

While out on an errand, Jacob falls asleep and wakes to find himself in another world, where he is arrested and imprisoned by the terrible Slimers.   Together with his newfound friends, he must use his wits to defeat their jailer, the Hooded Fang.   (Ages 8 - 12)

A Mother to Embarrass Me by Carol Lynch Williams   (New York, NY:   Random House, 2002)

12 year-old Laura believes that her mother has gone "from cool to geek" and begins to make a list of "things to change about MY MOTHER."   When her mother informs her that she is pregnant, Laura becomes even more determined to change her mother before her life is destroyed by embarrassment!   (Ages 8 - 12)

Eddie Dickens Trilogy by Philip Ardagh   (Faber Children's Books)

Set in the 19 th century, this darkly funny series details the adventures of Eddie Dickens, sent to live with his crazy aunt and uncle at Awful End "for his own good" when his parents fall ill with a strange disease.   (Ages 10 - up)

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman   (Winnipeg, MB:   Hyperion Press, 2000)

After writing an honest review of a book that he hated, Wallace is ordered by his English teacher to attend rehearsals of the school play based on that book.   Instead of changing his mind, Wallace begins making changes to the play, with hilarious results.   (Ages 10 - up)

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket   (New York, NY:   HarperCollins)

Follow the misadventures and misfortunes of these three orphan children, who must outwit their appointed guardian, determined to steal their inheritance.   (Ages 10 - up)

Children's Services, Red Deer Public Library/2004