LOL

I'm a little late today because I took a shower (I know, crazy right?!) AND--wait for it--put on jeans and even a little make up. For my hangouts today, I won't be wearing the same free (?) yet very cozy sweatshirt from Albany Braces or the black sweater I throw on when I feel the need to look "professional." No, today something entirely different.

Ahhh...did that make you laugh?  Oh man, I hope so.  In my next life, I really want to be a stand up comedian.  I know THAT had to make you laugh. Seriously.  I just wish I was talented enough.  Don't worry, for now I'll continue to be a school librarian.

For today's post, I have highlighted a few authors whose books make me laugh. This is not a complete list by any means. PLEASE share books or authors who make you laugh in the comments. Thanks in advance!

Jonathan Fenske

There's an emerging reader book that makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.  It just gets to my funny bone, I guess.  It's Jonathan Fenske's Geisel Honor winning books, A Pig, A Fox and a Box.  The fox thinks he's tricking the pig every time but who gets the last laugh?

Here is Jonathan talking a little bit about the book and then reading the first chapter.


Meet-the-Author Book Recording | A Pig, a Fox, and a Box, Narrated by Jonathan Fenske on TeachingBooks

Jonathan has a lot of other books that will also be sure to make you laugh.  Here's a video of him reading the first part of Hello, Crabby! (another funny one!)

Jon Scieszka

Jon Scieszka's books are sure to make you all laugh.  This one is a classic.

Here's an audio excerpt from Jon's middle grade biography that you can find on SORA if you crave more. It's only 2 hours long, but that's 2 hours of funny.

Book Recording | Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka on TeachingBooks

Cece Bell

I first fell for Cece Bell in 2014 before she won the Newbery Honor for El Deafo.  She writes fun books for emerging readers that I love to share with my learners.  Chick and Brain is her new series and it will have you all laughing out loud.

Here is Cece sharing her love for the letter "U" while she draws Chick and Brain:

The second book in the series came out recently, Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball?  I haven't read it yet, but definitely look forward to it.  Watch this short video and you will be "doing the egg" all day! I'm getting down with it right now IN MY JEANS!

Send me videos of YOU "doing the egg"!

The Usual Suspects

Of course, who doesn't laugh when reading these series: Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce, Hilo by Judd Winick, Babymouse by Jenni and Matt Holm, and Dogman by Dav Pilkey to name just a few.  What funny books do you love?

Brand New Middle Grade

ICYMI: Fifth grade Reading Ambassador, Jess read an arc of Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim and loved it. She wrote a review for me in an earlier blog post. Here is a link for activities you can do related to the book from Jessica's website.

Write Your Own Jokes

Got 8 minutes?  Watch this video from Marvin Terban.  He gives lots of tips on how to write simple jokes.  If you write one, please send it along to me.  Of course, I'll credit you if I use it in my bit. 😉

Finally, check out my son's Instagram @zacksgoodjokes.  He posts a new joke pretty much every night! He thinks he's funnier than me.  Hmmm....what do you think?

I'll keep you posted when I'm on the lineup for an open mic.  Until then, I charge YOU to "make 'em laugh" as I leave you with this cover from Glee, originally performed in the movie, "Singin' in the Rain." Perhaps, it will motivate you to create an active, humorous gig today. Enjoy. 🤣

Quotable NErDCampMI 2019

Here's a VERY brief collection of quotes from Day 1.

Pen and trusty yellow legal pad in hand, I tried to get some good quotes.  Although, I have to admit, there were times when I inhaled for five, exhaled for ten and just listened deeply.

"No one else wants another silent female.  We have enough of those."-Pernille Ripp (and in my notes I put my daughter's initials with a ♡.  She is far from a silent female and makes me proud every day. Later Pernille said, "Nothing wrong with being angry if you do something about it...Embrace anger as a tool."

"What happens to one of us, happens to all of us."-Alicia Williams.  I was thrilled to listen to her and meet her later that day.  At least two people have recommended her book as a strong Newbery contender.

Ahhh...Cece Bell.  I love how she thought she visited my school.  I had to remind her that I was just an annoying, pushy librarian pre-Newbery 2015 and then we finally did get to Skype post-Newbery.

"We need to keep reading books so we can laugh together, discover ourselves and discover each other."

Cece has a new book out about underwear and feet. How could that NOT be funny?

Laurie.Halse.Anderson.  

I could listen to her SPEAK forever. A couple of times, I caught glimpses of her wandering but was too timid to say hello.  Here's my takeaway--I need to talk to my secondary librarian and MS ELA teachers. Chains has been part of the 7th grade curriculum forever.  Now let's make Speak part of 8th grade and Shout a HS and all district faculty book club.  Laurie referenced her January Time magazine essay.  Read it here.  My son will be 13 next month. He doesn't know it yet, but we have some uncomfortable, yet crucial, conversations ahead of us. And discussing Speak is at the top of that list.

Donalyn Miller.

Another idol of probably every camper and beyond.

"No matter who you signed a contract with, you made a contract to society and all its children."  Donalyn charged us all to "make good trouble" as we hold up our end of the contract.

Jason Reynolds.

"Jason Reynolds sits in your classroom every day unrecognized."

"Don't feel sad; feel angry."

"When that bell rings, everyone takes a different journey home." 

(about his forthcoming book, Look Both Ways, a collection of stories of ten kids during the 10 unsupervised minutes walking home.)

Want more? I'm sure when I was breathing, others were jotting. Check out the #NErDCampMI tweets for more inspiration...

Bet you didn't know that first graders could DEBATE!

Every year for our Newbery project we conclude with debates.  Since the first year this has been a highlight. The kids get really into it and enjoy the arguing for their book and against their opponent's book.  So it just felt natural to think that we would conclude our Geisel project with debates as well. One of the fifth grade teachers said to me the other day, "Debates with first graders?!" So I lost a little confidence but not too much and boy am I glad about that!  The debates happened today and they were AWESOME!

Round 1: That's (Not) Mine vs. Ballet Cat

Things were going so well we invited a fifth grade class to join us.  It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop!

The final round!  What this Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig vs. I Yam a Donkey

Our 2016 Geisel Winners via Debates:

2016 Winner

I Yam a Donkey by Cece Bell

2016 Honor

What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig 

by Emma Virjan

 The completed brackets

A GEISEL LEAP!

A wonderful, successful activity!  So excited for January 11 to find out what the other Committee decides on!