Silly books connect with kids; elicit smiles and laughter

A sure-fire way to convince children that reading is fun is to choose books that elicit smiles and laughter, and today's reviewed selections provide just that. Whether it's the family rabbit labeled as a vampire, a crazed mouse running away from a gorilla or a pig that takes the family car for a drive, these three books will have kids in stitches while simultaneously providing the subtle message that reading is fun.

Ask your librarian for more suggestions. Getting children hooked on reading is worth every effort.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

"Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery" by Deborah & James Howe, illustrated by Alan Daniel, Atheneum, 98 pages

Read aloud: age 5Ð6 and older. Read yourself: age 9 and older.

Harold's full-time occupation is a dog and this is his story. Harold lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons, and Harold's good friend, Chester the cat. A recent addition to the family is Bunnicula - a rabbit, from the Carpathian Mountain region of Transylvania.

Owing to vegetables that have been sucked dry of their juices (and hence color), the well-read, intellectual cat Chester firmly and fearfully concludes that Bunnicula is a vampire.

Chester feels compelled to save the Monroe clan from the evil Bunnicula, yet no one seems to grasp the gravity of the situation. Chester's hilarious attempts to warn the family and save them from their ill fate are completely misunderstood.

An enormously popular book for years, this very funny selection is certain to elicit smiles and outbursts of laughter, start to finish.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Dayton Valley Branch Library, 321 Old Dayton Valley Rd., Dayton

Branch Manager: Theresa Kenneston

Choices this week: "Lady Lollipop" by Dick King-Smith; "Three Two One Day" by Debbie Driscoll; "A Huge Hog is a Big Pig" by Francis McCall

Books to Buy

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

"Gorilla! Gorilla!" by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross, Atheneum, 2006, 28 pages, $15.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 and older. Read yourself: age 7Ð8.

Baby Mouse is missing and Mother is frantic! Mother races through the rain forest, looking everywhere for her baby, but the rain forest is very big and baby is very, very small. Just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse, a great, big, hairy, scary gorilla jumps out and told Mother Mouse, "STOP!"

How could Mother Mouse stop? She has to find her baby, and if she stops, the gorilla will crunch her up for lunch! Instead, Mother Mouse runs and runs and runs, all over the world, and the gorilla chases her, all the way to the Arctic. But by that time, she is too tired to run any further. As she prepares to meet her fate, Gorilla has a surprise for her.

Full of fun, laughs, and just the right amount of suspense, this delightful global chase will command repeat performances.

"Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride" by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, Candlewick, 2006, $12.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 6Ð8. Read yourself: age 7Ð8.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson adore their pig, Mercy, and spoil her in every possible way. Mercy especially loves hot buttered toast and taking fast rides with Mr. Watson in his pink convertible car, and Mercy gets plenty of both. What Mercy really wants is to drive the car, and the moment she sees the opportunity, Mercy does just that, but with some tense and very funny consequences.

The second installment in the "Mercy Watson" series, this choice is certain to produce lots of smiles and laughter.

• Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan can be e-mailed at kendal@sunlink.net