April Children's Books Pick

April is wonderful for new books, especially in the Children's Book publishing.   So for a little fun this month,  here are a couple of really cute books that may tickle the funny bones or gets reader's to rhyme their words or sometimes both.

An absolutely adorable book, which is perfect for the jokester for all ages is,  Knock Knock written by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Guy Francis.  It begins with the traditional lines of every Knock Knock joke in the history of time.  Knock, Knock.  Who's there?  In walks a party of animal friends who will not leave poor old Bear to his hibernating.  By the end of the book, it's springtime and Bear has to be ready for Spring.  Love the transitions for season.  Love the transition of  Bear's feelings from being grumpy in Winter to gleeful in Spring.  A must-have for anyone who loves knock knock jokes and even those who don't.

Young readers who loved Dragons Love Tacos will absolutely love Adam Rubin's High Five by Adam Rubin with illustrations by Daniel Salmieri.  If they don't there is something terribly wrong in the universe.   This is a rollicking, rhyming, high fiving,  entertaining tale that will be read over and over again.  Loaded with giggles in between the pages.  The star of the show?  The Reader of course! this is the reader's chance to learn the art of perfecting high five skills.  With a series of guided lessons that become sillier as the pages turn.  Was it mentioned that this is a funny book?  Um.... well it's worth repeating.  This is really FUNNY!

Last but certainly not least in the kind of funny yet rhyming category,  In the Middle of the Night: Poems from a Wide-Awake House written by Laura Purdie Salas with acrylic-on-wood illustrations by Angela Matteson. This is a collection of poems that Salas has put together to explain what happens while everyone in the house is asleep. Everyday objects, even the food, come alive to play and seek out great adventures at night.   Ever wondered what happened to a lost library book?  Actually, it has found the perfect place to hide.  Do paper clip skydive with tissues for a parachute?  Yes, indeed they do in this book.  Along with the fruit snack which unrolls to create a tricky road track for the toy cars.   A fun and imaginative look into the time known as night.  Obviously, this is not a book to be taken seriously.  However, it can lead to a discussion of what other everyday objects do at night.  Gee,  what do hoses do at night?  Read the book to find out!

All of these titles are sure to be a hit for bedtime, story time or anytime.  Don't believe me?  Take the challenge and read to a child.  If they do not laugh out loud, it just maybe they are too serious to be a kid.   Enjoy the titles!  Until next time... I'm reading to a child today.  Hope you will too!