What's Black and White and Reid All Over?

July 1, 2012

This is a companion to Reid's Something Funny Happened at the Library (ALA, 2003). The first two parts provide 10 humorous story programs-five aimed at preschoolers and five for school-aged children (K-4). With minor tweaking, all of them can be adapted for either audience as well as for family programs. Each one provides read-aloud suggestions and movement activities. There are also great storytelling tips that include everything from how to hold the book to what props to use and how to use them to make the program as funny as possible. Reid also includes an additional list of titles that can be substituted, jokes, call-and-response chants, short storybooks, songs, and musical activities. The last part of the book is a bibliography of "The Funniest Books in Your Library." Picture books, easy readers, graphic novels and manga, chapter books, poetry, folklore, and songbooks are included and a list of "Robbie Awards," Reid's picks for the funniest picture book and chapter book of the year from 2000 to 2010, rounds out this high-spirited resource.-Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.