Poopendous by Artie Bennett

If Dr. Seuss decided to write about bodily functions, he probably would have come up with something as zany as Poopendous. Artie Bennett’s first book, The Butt Book, was an uproarously funny book about creatures’ behinds. In his latest endeavor, Bennett tackles different types of poop and their uses.

Okay, the adult in your says, “Gross.” The kid in you, however, is wondering how we’ve come this far without someone writing a book like this. Kids love this topic, so why not make it educational too? From what different types of animal poop is called to its shape or size and to how it is used, kids will be on the floor laughing, not realizing they are learning a bunch of neat information.

Mike Moran provides the vibrant, silly artwork that perfectly matches the crazy rhymes and topic of Poopendous. It’s even hard to say the name without chuckling. Do you want your kids to be eager to read? I bet this book will help.

Highly recommended!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Reading level:Ages 4 and up
• Hardcover:36 pages
• Publisher:Blue Apple Books (March 27, 2012)
• Language:English
• ISBN-10:1609051904
• ISBN-13: 978-1609051907
• SRP: 16.99

The author provided me with a free PDF of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Casey and Kyle: I’m Saving Up For A Big Brother!!! by Will Robertson

Casey and Kyle: I’m Saving Up For A Big Brother!!! by Will Robertson reminded me why I have always loved the comics and how much I miss one of my favorites, Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson.

In this side-splitting book,  brothers Casey and Kyle spend their time annoying their parents, being misunderstood by their parents, dealing with bullies, and being forced to eat lima beans. The day this book came in the mail I read it cover to cover. I loved it. It’s the perfect display of what life with kids is like, but it’s also a great example of how fun and how tough it is being a kid. From digging for buried treasure to torturing little brothers, from being bamboozled by mom over bedtime to driving mom crazy over dinner time, and from Halloween to Christmas, this book will make you laugh out loud.

After reading Casey and Kyle: I’m Saving Up For A Big Brother!!! I want to own all the Casey and Kyle books. My husband got a kick out of them too. Between the illustrations and the silly antics, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Paperback:96 pages
• Publisher:CreateSpace (May 8, 2011)
• ISBN-10:1461023556
• ISBN-13: 978-1461023555
• SRP:  $14.99

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

A Dog is a Dog by Stephen Shaskan

A zany rhyming adventure awaits your 2- to 6-year-old in A Dog is a Dog by debut author/illustrator Stephen Shaskan.

A dog can’t be anything other than a dog, right? Well, maybe it’s not that simple. Young readers follow along as the dog changes from one animal to another, laughing all the way.

This is the perfect picture book for kids because it has simple words and rhymes that will get them reading on their own soon. A Dog is a Dog will have them laughing out loud and eager to turn the pages. Shaskan’s lyrical prose is complemented by adorable artwork that is just as zany as the story itself.

Highly recommended!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher:Chronicle Books
• ISBN-10:0811878961
• ISBN-13: 978-0811878968
• SRP:  $14.99

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead by Francesca Simon

Horrid Henry is back with a bunch of new and funny adventures in Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead by Francesca Simon.

In this collection of four hilarious stories, Horrible Henry fights over the remote with his annoying little brother, Perfect Peter. Henry is up against Moody Margaret for School Council President. Just imagine all the things Horrid Henry can do if he’s elected. When Grandma brings Henry and Peter presents, you know they have to get into a fight over the best one. Everyone is excited about the school talent show; especially when they learn that a famous TV presenter will be selecting the winner  and he or she will get a chance to appear on a TV show. Henry enlists the help of his brother Peter with unexpected results.

As much as I loved Horrid Henry Rocks, this book is ten times better. What a great way to get reluctant readers to crack open a book. These stories are all out there with the zany characters that Simon has created. Moody Margaret is at her moodiest. Anxious Andrew is at his most anxious. And Horrid Henry is truly horrid as he tries to outwit parents, teachers, and peers alike.

Tony Ross does a superb job with the artwork in Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead. From the moaning TV to Henry dreaming of being a hawk who swoops in and scoops up Mrs. Oddbod in his beak for a tasty snack, these illustrations are just as outrageous as the stories themselves.

I think I’m going to need to clear off a shelf in my house for a Horrid Henry collection.  I want them all!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Paperback:112 pages
• Publisher:Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
• ISBN-10:1402259344
• ISBN-13: 978-1402259340
• SRP: $4.99

Horrid Henry Rocks by Francesca Simon

Horrid has never been so good! Horrid Henry Rocks by Francesca Simon is a short story collection featuring every boy’s mischievous hero. In these four short stories, Henry invades his brother Perfect Peter’s room, infiltrates Moody Margaret’s sleepover to steal yummy treats, writes his autobiography with odd results, and plots to find a way to attend a concert given by his favorite band, the Killer Rat Boys.

This is the first Horrid Henry book I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last. I have never laughed so hard in my life. Now, if Horrid Henry was my kid, I would certainly be crying a boatload of tears, but Simon’s horrible main character will delight early readers with his antics. Simon creates a group of quirky characters and embellishes their quirks to the hilt. Moody Margaret is as stubborn as June B. Jones and as obnoxious as Junie’s nemesis, May. Perfect Peter, Henry’s younger brother, is the most perfect kid on the earth. He keeps his room nice and tidy; he does his homework without a problem; and he loves Daffy and Her Dancing Daisies like every good boy should. Lazy Linda is too lazy to bother doing much of anything, and Vain Violet won’t sleep on the floor at Moody Margaret’s sleepover.

The illustrations by Tony Ross are perfect for this one. Ross captures Simon’s zany characters in all their quirkiness. From the point of Moody Margaret’s nose to the ominous zombie from sleepover ghost story, the book wouldn’t be the same without this fabulous artwork.

I could see Horrid Henry Rocks ending up on the banned list for the rotten example it sets for kids, but I think Simon does such a great job of going so over the top with her characters that kids and parents will take it in stride. Even though this book is geared more towards boys, I believe girls will enjoy it too.

I’m now a Horrid Henry fan. I want all the books now!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher:Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
• ISBN-10:1402256744
• ISBN-13: 978-1402256745
• SRP:  $4.99