Yucky Riddles

January 1, 2004
K-Gr. 2. The words " yucky" and " riddles" in one title? What could make a primary schooler happier? An easy way to entice children into reading, this joke book, part of the Kids Can Read series, features one riddle to a page, accompanied by a full-size, color picture. Most of the jokes are actually funny (What is a cannibal's favorite vegetable? Human beans), and they stay true to their essential yuckiness with skunks, barf, and nose picking all getting their due. Parker's zany cartoon-style artwork finds all the humor, while managing to tread the line between funny and disgusting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2004
"Spooky" contains riddles about ghosts, mummies, and other scary types ("What do witches put on their bagels?" "Scream cheese"); "Yucky" contains riddles about bad breath and toenail clippings and features punch lines like "Happy Barf-day to you!" Both books include a few groaners, but the presentation--one riddle and loosely drawn color image per page--will lure beginning readers. [Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: "Spooky Riddles" and "Yucky Riddles". ]

(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)