Category: humor

animals, humor, tween

Squirrel in the Museum

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Vivian Vande Velde
Illustrator: Steve Björkman
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Middle grade
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4167-9
Pages: 112
Price: $15.99

Author’s website
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Twitch, the squirrel, has heard stories about wolves who eat squirrels. Twitch doesn’t want to be eaten, but he has no idea what a wolf is. So when the students are going to the museum, he decides to tag along and see if he can learn about wolves.

No one expects to see a squirrel in a museum, so the staff are understandably upset, especially when the squirrel becomes a disruption to the exhibits and proves difficult to catch. But when it appears that Twitch might meet a fate worse than wolves, an unexpected hero comes to his defense.

Squirrel in the Museum is a madcap adventure to the museum through the eyes of a squirrel. Fast-paced, zany action will delight young readers who will enjoy reading about Twitch’s escapades.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, humor

Mary Had a Little Jam: And Other Silly Rhymes

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Bruce Lansky
Illustrator: Stephen Carpenter
Publisher: Meadowbrook Press
ISBN: 978-1-4814-9278-2
Pages: 80
Price: $8.95

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Old nursery rhymes have met their match, as Bruce Lansky and other talented poets give them a totally modern spin. Humorous illustrations accompany these creative and silly poems. This new edition has been kid-tested, and only the most giggle-worthy poems are included.

The original edition of Mary Had a Little Jam sold over 800,000 copies, making it the most popular book of funny, contemporary nursery rhymes in the English language. Kids are sure to love this expanded version.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cartoon, children, humor

Noodlehead Nightmares

Bergers Book Reviews

Noodlehead Nightmares
Authors: Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss
Illustrator: Tedd Arnold
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children / Humor
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3566-1
Pages: 48
Price: $15.95

Tedd Arnold’s website
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Mac and Mac are noodleheads, so they have nothing in their heads. They love pie but hate making their beds. When their mom bribes them with a freshly baked pie, they comply, but only until they’re duped out of their prize. So, in an effort to avoid their dreaded chore, they come up with schemes to sleep elsewhere, leading to uncomfortable nights of slumber.

Noodlehead Nightmares is a silly spoof that will inspire lots of giggles. Written in a comic book style, this book is fun and easy to read, even for the most reluctant reader. I hope we get to see more of these noodleheads.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cartoon, cats, humor

Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos

Bergers Book Reviews

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos
Author & Illustrator: Simon Tofield
Publisher: Akashic Books
Genre: Cats / Humor
ISBN: 978-1-61775-158-5
Pages: 240
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Simon’s cat is living the good life – until a new kitten joins the household. Although initially disliking the newcomer, the older cat finally decides to give it some pointers on how to behave – and how best to get into trouble. Two cats are much more destructive than one, as Simon soon finds out.

In this series of cartoons, Simon’s cat alternately torments and schemes with his new kitten companion. Taking on the backyard woodchucks and bunnies, as well as the neighborhood dog, these two feline companions find themselves in some amusing situations.

Simon’s Cat Youtube videos have generated over 350 million views, and these books make perfect gifts for the cat lover in your life. Just don’t let their kitties see them!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, humor

Night of the Living Worms

Bergers Book Reviews

Night of the Living Worms
Author & Illustrator: Dave Coverly
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Genre: Children / Humor
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8886-1
Pages: 128
Pages: $13.99

Author’s website
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It’s rough being the little brother of Early Bird – the one who always gets the worm. But Speed Bump is determined to get a worm of his own, one of these days. Along with his buddy, Slingshot, he happily gobbles nuts and berries, and waits for the day he will earn his prize.

One evening, Speed Bump can’t sleep, so he convinces Slingshot to take a journey into the forest. All smart birds know not to go out at night, and soon they are spooked and lost. But when they find the Night Crawlers plotting against Early Bird, they need to act quickly.

Cute wordplay, humorous situations, cartoon-style line drawings, and great characters make Night of the Living Worms a fun read for kids. I can’t wait to see the sequel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cartoon, cats, humor

Simon’s Cat vs. the World

Bergers Book Reviews

Simon's Cat vs. the World
Author & Illustrator: Simon Tofield
Publisher: Akashic Books
Genre: Humor / Cats
ISBN: 978-1-61775-188-2
Pages: 96
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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The beloved kitty star of Youtube videos faces off against various foes in Simon’s Cat vs. the World. In one or two page, full-color, illustrated spreads, Simon’s Cat gets into all kinds of mischief. This wily feline takes on such challenges as grooming, camping, a new kitten, and the great outdoors, among many others.

Cat owners will delight in seeing this impish cat in action, recognizing their own furry companions in his antics. While it’s always been fun to speculate what our own cats are thinking or plotting, Simon’s Cat demonstrates their destructive plans in these laugh-out-loud illustrations.

Simon’s Cat books make perfect gifts for the cat lover in your life. Just don’t let their kitties see them!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cartoon, humor

The Snoopy Treasures: A Celebration of the World Famous Beagle

Bergers Book Reviews

The Snoopy Treasures
Author: Nat Gertler
Publisher: Thunder Bay Press
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 978-1-62686-440-5
Pages: 176
Price: $34.95

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Snoopy made his debut in 1950, and soon became world famous. As he appeared in Peanuts cartoons, he evolved from an ordinary beagle who walked on all fours to nearly human in his personality and mannerisms.

The Snoopy Treasures follows Snoopy through the years, focusing on various aspects of his life. Sports, writing, family, and World War I all feature in Snoopy’s pursuits, as well as his interactions with Charlie Brown, Woodstock, and the other children he spent time with. Snoopy was far more than a simple house pet – he was a beagle with a mind of his own.

In addition to a wealth of information about Snoopy’s activities through the years, this beautiful treasury includes pockets holding original artwork replicas and other memorabilia. Peanuts fans of all ages will enjoy The Snoopy Treasures. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, humor

Simon’s Cat Off to the Vet . . . and Other Cat-astrophes

Bergers Book Reviews

Simon's Cat Off to the Vet
Author & Illustrator: Simon Tofield
Publisher: Akashic Books
Genre: Cats / Humor
ISBN: 978-1-61775-402-9
Pages: 240
Price: $27.95

Author’s website
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Cats do the craziest things, and it’s amazing how clever they can be when faced with a visit to the vet. Hiding, attempting to resist being put into the cat carrier, and generally creating havoc at the vet’s office, they make sure no one will ever want to repeat the performance. Simon’s Cat has vet catastrophes down to a science, as he shows us exactly what level of destruction he’s capable of. In addition to his visit to the vet, Simon’s Cat also terrorizes the neighbor next door and the kitten who lives in the house with him.

Simon’s Cat books are comics without any words, and the pictures tell a hilarious story. Any cat lover who is unfamiliar with Simon’s Cat will want to find a copy of Simon’s Cat Off to the Vet . . . and Other Cat-astrophes as soon as possible — and will then need to complete his collection. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, humor

Animal Gas: A Farty Farce

Bergers Book Reviews

Animal Gas
Author & Illustrator: Bryan Ballinger
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Humor
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1616-1
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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Pig says, “I foof in the night as well as the day. It smells like perfume or flowers in May.” But the bird standing next to him exclaims, “Perfume…? Flowers…? Now that’s quite a leap. Try mold and some beans piled up in a heap.”

As each animal thinks of his own farts, he believes they smell pleasant, and describes them in flowery words. But the next in line reminds him that he’s only emitting highly noxious fumes. One by one the animals share their thoughts in humorous rhyme, until the goat finally comes up with a clever idea to outwit them all.

Animal Gas is probably not for everyone, since some folks find fart humor offensive. But for those who can handle gentle toilet humor, this book is a real gas! Kids will love it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

humor

How to Slay a Werewolf and Definitely Live to Tell the Tale

Bergers Book Reviews

How to Slay a Werewolf
Author: Martin Howard
Publisher: Ticktock Books
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 978-1-78325-113-1
Pages: 128
Price: $6.99

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Professor Van Helsing is probably the most successful – living – werewolf slayer. Naturally he wants to share his secrets with wannabe slayers, and maybe even boast a bit – well, more like a lot. In fact, Professor Van Helsing would also love to sell you all his werewolf slaying products. Hawking his wares throughout the book, he reminds the reader that he knows what he’s doing, and if you follow his lead and buy everything he’s selling, you’ll also be successful.

How to Slay a Werewolf and Definitely Live to Tell the Tale is laugh-out-loud funny, and I found myself reading several amusing parts aloud to my husband. Although this is probably a children’s book, adults will also find it a fun read. If you think you have a werewolf problem, you’ll definitely want to check out Van Helsing’s advice. “And remember, if you are eaten, Professor Van Helsing will give you 100% of your money back!”

Reviewer: Alice Berger