Big Bear Hug

Big Bear Hug
by Nicholas Oldland

Kids Can Press
ISBN: 978-1554534647

What is it?
A picture book about a bear "so filled with love and happiness" that he hugs every creature he encounters in the forest, including (and especially) the trees. But what will happen when a man with an axe enters the forest and starts chopping down one of Bear's beloved trees? Will Bear hug him or eat him?

What do we love about it?
The startled faces of the various creatures (rabbit, moose, bird, skunk, snake, beaver) who find themselves locked in Bear's loving embrace made us laugh and snort at the same time. Truly, the toothsome beaver looks like he's about to wet his pants...if he had pants, that is.

What does it remind us of?
Ferdinand the Bull. Like the peaceful Ferdinand, Bear is a gentle, nature-loving soul trapped in the body of a ferocious-looking beast.

What is it perfect for?
Share this sweet, funny book with kids on Earth Day (April 22), World Hug Day (Jan 21), or any day a good bear hug is in order.

What do we say about it?
We love this bear! He can hug our trees any time.

In the Coop with Dian Curtis Regan

Three things we love about Dian Curtis Regan:

1. Dian has written more than fifty (50!) books for children, including our recent favorite, Barnyard Slam (illustrated by Paul Meisel), starring Yo Mama Goose and a cast of poetry-spouting farm friends.

2. She collects trivia about redheads. (Chick Trivia: In our next life we three chicks hope to be reincarnated as Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, and Myrna Loy -- all fabulously funny redheaded ladies.)

3. She also collects walruses. Really.

Without further ado, we give you the lovely redheaded Dian Curtis Regan...

First act as Dictator for Life?

Make the world gather every Saturday afternoon at the park to learn how to play nice together.

What kids lit character would you like to vote off the island?

The mother in Love You Forever.

What kids lit character would you share your last twinkie with?

Katniss from The Hunger Games—as long as she didn’t poison my twinkie.

What TV family would you like to be adopted by?

I could live in Oprah’s world.

Worst job in the universe?

Filing rejection letters.

Dream job for a day?

Casting characters for the Princess Nevermore movie.

Marx Brothers or Three Stooges?

Marx Brothers, whose poster was on the wall in my office closet for years.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch. Pick your winner.

Since clowns usually have red hair which annoys us redheads, I’d go with the mime.

Funniest dead person you’d like to meet?

Gilda Radner.

Best use for a book shaped object? (You know, one of those things sold as books but which should never ever have been published.)

Several are currently supporting my air purifier.

Sunday Love

A Three Silly Chicks' Pick

Sunday Love

by Alison Paul

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

ISBN 978-0-618-99184-6

What is it?

A mostly wordless wonder which tells the tale of a forlorn convict (complete with stripes, ball and chain) looking for his true love. The illustrations follow his clever escape and the Keystone Cop chase that follows from from to frame of this clever book.

What do we love about it?

The black and white and red illustrations brimming with funny details and subplots. We found ourselves flipping back and forth from page to page just to soak in more of the fun.

What does it remind us of?

Reminds us that we clearly need more time to enjoy the good things in life -- like ice cream sundaes and this book!

What is it perfect for?

It's perfect for anyone who loves ice cream, cops and robbers, and pouring over treasure maps.

What do we think?

Sunday Love is a delectable treat from start to finish. Kids will revisit this one over and over and over . . .

It's National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

We're a little jealous that we haven't thought of this holiday ourselves. After all, we are professional pet-dresser-uppers. If we could, we'd find a way to earn a living at this. One silly chick in particular dresses up her pug Emerson on a weekly basis. (Oh, who are we kidding. She does it every day. ) These are some of Emerson's finer moments. We think you'll agree that he's quite pugtacular.

The Hiccupotamus

The Hiccupotamus
Written and Illustrated by Aaron Zenz
Marshall Cavendish Children
ISBN: 928-0-7614-5622-3

What is it?
A very silly rhyming tale of a hippo with the hiccups and the lengths to which his friends will go to cure him.

What do we love about it?
The silly text with its made-up words gets a great big grin from us.

What does it remind us of?
Sing-songy jump-rope rhymes and playground clapping songs. It also reminds us of limericks but not the kind they tell on a certain island off Cape Cod, if you know what we mean. . . . And we suspect that you do.

What is it perfect for?
This book is great for getting kids jazzed up. That makes it a good choice for a quick classroom read before recess or trip to the park where kids can get their sillies out.

What do we say about it?
The Hiccupotamus is silly, silly, silly! And you know we're all about that!

In the Coop with Adam Selzer

Three things you should know about Adam Selzer:

1. He's a ghostbuster. Really.

2. He's just started a new blog called Playground Jungle where he collects subversive songs, rhymes and stories told on the playground throughout the ages. (Mama mia, papa pia!)

3. When he is not out and about uncovering paranormal phenomena or naughty ditties, he writes awesomely funny books on everything from American History to Zombies.

Without further ado, we give you the one and only Adam Selzer...

First act as Dictator for Life?

A law forcing George Lucas to admit publicly that Han Solo shot Greedo not in self defense, but in cold blood, on that grim afternoon in the Mos Eisley cantina. Such an act will gain me the respect of the peasants - even dictators occasionally get their heads cut off by an angry mob of peasants. But they'll never turn on the man who issued the Han Shot First decree.

What kids lit character would you like to vote off the island?

Warren Hatcher (Fudge's dad) as he appears in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. He's very much an old fashioned hapless father who knows nothing about raising children in that one (though he's seen the error of his ways and become a much better fellow by Superfudge - a fun thing about those books is that the characters age only a few years, but 30 years have pretty clearly elapsed over the course of the series).

What kids lit character would you share your last twinkie with?

Hmm...you'd want to give it to someone historical, wouldn't you? I'd much rather give my last twinkie to someone who was getting the chance to eat one for the first time. Anne of Green Gables would probably write an epic poem about it. So, her.

What TV family would you like to be adopted by?

Adam Huxtable has a nice ring to it, don't you think? I'm kind of a bum, but Cliff'd get me in shape.

Worst job in the universe?

Visa executive. I'd have to wake up every day knowing I suck, and I always will, and that no jury would convict a guy for punching me in the face.

Well, either that, or poop salesman. That would be HARD. I'm now writing a book called "Brendan Butte: Poop Salesman." Eat your heart out, Andrew Clements!

Dream job for a day?

Visa executive puncher.

Marx Brothers or Three Stooges?

Marx Brothers.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch. Pick your winner.

Oh, please. Like a pantomime selzer bottle can stand up to a real one? The best clowns are trained as mimes, so they have all the same skills, PLUS a bunch of dangerous props.

Funniest dead person you’d like to meet?

No one is funnier than William Taft. Not that HE was all that funny, but the guy is a comic gold mine - like socks, monkeys, and butts. That's a tip, writers - when in doubt. Taft, Van Buren, and James K. Polk are the funniest presidents. Some people say Millard Fillmore, but those people are wrong.

Best use for a book shaped object? (You know, one of those things sold as books but which should never ever have been published.)

Add an L bracket and some tape and you've got yourself a new bookshelf going, man!

Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem

Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
Written by Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Adam Rex
Hyperion
ISBN: 978-0-7868-4958-1

What is it?
The tale of Billy Twitters, a boy who prefers not to clean his room, brush his teeth, eat his baked peas--Who could blame him on that one?-- or do anything he's supposed to do. Even under threat of being given a blue whale by his parents, Billy slacks off. When his folks make good on the threat, Billy learns some valuable lessons about being a responsible member of society. (Or not!!!!)

What do we love about it?
We love the pairing of Mac Barnett's wonderfully absurd idea with Adam Rex's delightfully realistic illustrations. We especially love the directions for taking care of the blue whale--complete with airline-style instructions for evacuation if needed.This book is funny AND practical!

Who is it perfect for?
Any kid with a healthy sense of absurdity who likes to push the limits a bit. (Or a lot!)

What we think?
Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem is a whale of a funny tale. Or a tail of a very funny whale. We have certainly learned a valuable lesson from this funny book. When your mom tells you to finish your baked peas or she'll buy you a blue whale, believe her. Just sayin'!

1000 Times No

1000 Times No!
by Mr. Warburton Harper Collins Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-154263-3

What is it?
A quick picture book tour of the many--and there are soooooo many-- wonderful ways a kid can say NO!

What do we love about it? Well, let us begin by saying that NO is one of our favorite words. (Others include--but are not limited to: Guacamole, salsa, bedtime, pudding, and Clive Owen (Yes, we know that Clive Owen is two words, but they are so utterly delicious together we count them as one.) Anywhoooo, we love to say NO. And this book teaches us lots of clever new ways to do so! Our favorites include morse code, sky writing, crossword puzzle, and Inuit. 1000 Times No is innovative and downright funny.

Who is it perfect for?
Anyone who wishes to expand their vocabulary.

What do we say about it?
When it comes to funny books like this we say Yes! Si! Oui! Es-yay!

Want to see more about this fun book?

Last Minute Shopping?

Grab these sweet and funny books for your favorite elf. Laughter is the best Christmas gift!

Stick Man, by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Schefler, Arthur Levine Books, ISBN 0545157617

You want original, funny, and touching? You've got it with Stick Man. How did we miss this last year? Too much eggnog, perhaps. Run, run, run to your nearest bookstore to buy this! Possibly one of the best Christmas stories EVER.

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas, by Philip Yates, illustrated by Sebastia Serra, Sterling Books, ISBN 1402742576

A pirate Santa with a peg leg, dreadlocks and a parrot? We're so there.

Olivia Helps With Christmas, by Ian Falconer, Atheneum Books, ISBN 1416907866

Poor little impatient porker! How horrible to have to wait for Santa! Will she be able to do it? Pair this older classic with....

Christmas with Rita and Whatsit, by Jean-Philippe Arroug-Vignod, illustrated by Olivier Tallec, Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811866815

If only our wishlists were as creative as Whatsit's, whose list includes a police dog uniform, a chewy ball, and a treadmill. Simple, whimsical line-drawings and fiesty characters make us want to read more. Please sign us up for the Rita and Whatsit fan club!

Happy Birthday Brad Pitt!

Okay, so perhaps this theme isn't literary or humorous or writing related, but gosh, we just don't care. It's Brad Pitt, for crying out loud. We think this is a National Holiday.

Interesting Brad Factoids:

1) Brad went to Kickapoo High School.
2) Before he became famous, he dressed as a giant chicken while working for el Loco Pollo.
3) Brad writes fan letters to the Three Silly Chicks on a weekly basis. Apparently, he still has a thing for chickens.

Happy Birthday Brad! Hugs to Angie and the kids!

Perfectly Arugula

Perfectly Arugula Written and illustrated by Sarah Dillard Sterling ISBN: 1402759541

What is it?

A perfect picture book for puny perfectionists who like pink and who are planning a party.

What do we love about it?

We love peering into Arugula's persnickety thoughts, especially when they are so darn funny, like, "a shiny teakettle is a happy teakettle" and "windows don't wash themselves."

What does it remind us of?
This is Fancy Nancy for hedgehogs. Why has no one thought of this before?

What is it perfect for?

The perfect book to read before a tea party with hedgehogs. Or, you know, children.

What do we think?

We give it five pink cupcakes!

It's Laughter Day!

Actually, it's Laugh Off Your Holiday Stress Day, and it couldn't come at a better time!

For your viewing pleasure:

Chicks Around the World

Chicks Around the World!

It's that time of year when we three chicks pause from our daily routine of eating and reading and preening to send peace, love and chicks across our lovely planet. For only $20, the charity Heifer International will give a family somewhere on this globe a flock of chicks. Each starter flock has from 10 to 50 chicks. One flock gives a family in a developing country a much needed source of food and income.

Once again, we are asking you, our wonderful readers, to help us with this task. Will you join us by donating $20 to provide a hungry family with a life-sustaining flock of chicks? Once you donate, let us know about it in the comments here or on Facebook. Not only will we give you a big joyful shout-out for your generosity, but we will choose several random donors to be interviewed on our blog. Wouldn't it be fun to join the likes of Mo Willems, Lisa Yee, Jon Sciesczka and other notable sillies who've been featured on our blog? Now's your chance to share the spotlight by participating in an egg-cellent cause!

Happy Holidays to our fine-feathered friends near and far. Let the season of cheer begin!

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson

Happy Birthday Mark Twain!

Omigosh! We just realized that Mark Twain bears an uncanny resemblance to Jed Clampett!
All he needs is an old hat and a rope belt. Who knew?

Here are some of our favorite quotes from the Ever Quotable Mark Twain:

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.

I have been through some terrible things in life, some of which actually happened.

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.

In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then He made school boards.

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
Familiarity breeds contempt--and children.

In the Coop with Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman!

We found Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman buzzing around a manure pile and thought we should ask them some questions. Aaron is a human, not a bug, but he often writes about bugs. He is the author of Chicks and Salsa (one of our all time favorite chick books!), Superhero School, Buffalo Wings, and, of course, the Joey Fly, Private Eye graphic novels. Visit him at his website at http://aaron-reynolds.com/.

Neil Numberman is a termite currently residing in New York City. Joey Fly, Private Eye is his first graphic novel, but he is also the author/illustrator of Do NOT Build a Frankenstein. Stop by his website at http://www.neilnumberman.com/.

Aaron and Neil have graciously agreed to hang around the coop all day, so if you have a question, swat--er, ask--away!

First act as Dictator for Life?

Aaron: Mandatory Friday night Fondue night!

Neil: Build Super Mario’s World!

What kids lit character would you like to vote off the island?

Aaron: Draco Malfoy. So obnoxious…trying to kill Dumbledore like that…that’s not right!

Neil: In keeping with the Harry Potter theme (because those characters are so well written) Dolores Umbridge! Man, I hated her!

What kids lit character would you share your last twinkie with?

Aaron: James from James and the Giant Peach. But in exchange, we dip the grasshopper in chocolate.

Neil: Waldo! But first I gotta find him!

What TV family would you like to be adopted by?

Aaron: Bert and Ernie. Bath toys, fuzzy jammies, insects for pets, and no parents? Count me in!

Neil: Meerkat Manor!

Worst job in the universe?

Aaron: Deveining shrimp. That’s poop, you know, not a “vein”!

Neil: Mr. Universe judge

Dream job for a day?

Aaron: Video game tester.

Neil: Jet-pack-wearing-water-balloon-tester

Marx Brothers or Three Stooges?

Aaron: Hate them both. Annoying. Submits Spongebob as third alternative.

Neil: Yeah, I’ll take Spongebob too! Not too familiar with the Marx, but no love for the Three Stooges

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch. Pick your winner.

Aaron: A wardrobe malfunction takes them both out: Circus tiger mistakes mime’s stripes for a zebra lunch and clown is so busy laughing he swallows red rubber nose. Is that wrong?

Neil: Winner: Nobody

Funniest dead person you’d like to meet?

Aaron: Benjamin Franklin. He invents libraries, bifocals, and daylight savings time, all while rocking a mullet? Seemed like a pretty funny guy to me.

Neil: Jim Henson!

Best use for a book shaped object? (You know, one of those things sold as books but which should never ever have been published.)

Aaron: No comment, lest it incriminate a book I’ve written or will someday write.

Neil: Kindle

It's National American Teddy Bear Day!

Awww. We love this holiday! It makes us want to throw a tea party with invisible toast and a cup full of Chardonnay. In fact, there is a certain Silly Chick with brown hair and a book about pirate bunnies who still enjoys doing this with her childhood bear, Albert. As it turns out, Albert prefers Pinot Noir.

We are also very fond of a good teddy bear book, like our dearly beloved Winnie-The-Pooh. Tell us about your favorite teddy bear book!

Flawed Dogs

Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
by Berkeley Breathed
Philomel
ISBN 0399252185


What is it?

A wild and crazy journey with a pup named Sam, who just happens to sport the ever elusive Duuglitz Tuft on top of his noggin.

What do we love about it?

How it made us laugh and cry at the exact same time, which isn't easy and requires lots of Kleenex.

What does it remind us of?

Other "journey" type books, like The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Incredible Journey, and A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray but with a heavy dose of Hannah Barbara tossed in for laughs.

What is it perfect for?

Read it before The Westminster Dog Show in February.

What do we think?

We give it four snausages! Sure to be a favorite with underdog lovers and just plain anyone who loves a gassy dog.

I'm a Turkey

I'm a Turkey!
by Jim Arnosky

Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439903646

What is it?
A picture book about our nation's favorite dinner...oops, we mean our nation's favorite bird, of course...by folk singer and naturalist Jim Arnosky.

What do we love about it?
In addition to learning about how turkeys live in the wild, young readers will have fun peeping, squawking, squabbling and talking turkey throughout the book. Or download the song here for a turkey-talking singalong!

What does it remind us of?
Dinner. (We cannot tell a lie.)

What is it perfect for?
A fun Thanksgiving read aloud, but it would also work any time of year since there is no specific reference to the holiday.

What do we say about it?
This one's a fowl favorite! Two feathers up!

We Love Lucy!

It was on this day in 1951 that the very first I Love Lucy episode was aired, and boy, are we ever grateful. Who could forget that scene in the candy factory? Or the one with her stomping grapes in Italy? And was it just us, or did you, too, have a crush on Ricky Ricardo? Hubba hubba!

Let's all eat chocolate bon-bons, drink Vitameatavegamin, and sing Babalu at the top of our lungs to celebrate!

"How I Love Lucy was born? We decided that instead of divorce lawyers profiting from our mistakes, we'd profit from them." --Lucille Ball

In the Coop with Mac Barnett

Three Silly Things About Mac Barnett:

1. He reads to sheep. We like this.

2. He often wears a cap that reminds us of one of our favorite books, Caps for Sale.

3. He is ticklish. Go ahead, tickle him. And then go check out his fantastically silly books.

The Interview:

First act as Dictator for Life? Dictator for Life means years and years for baroquely selfish decrees. So I'd probably start off by ordering a nice sandwich. It's hard to have an iron fist on an empty stomach.

What kids lit character would you like to vote off the island?
In the interest of diplomacy, I'm keeping away from literature and axing Scrappy Doo.

What kids lit character would you share your last twinkie with?
Papa Snap. He seems like he'd be into Twinkies.

What TV family would you like to be adopted by?
I wouldn't mind being Maxwell Smart's son.

Worst job in the universe?
In the whole universe? I'd answer this question if it hadn't blown my mind.

Dream job for a day?
My dreams rarely involve jobs.

Marx Brothers or Three Stooges?

I feel bad for the Three Stooges. I've just perused a random sample of this blog's interviews: Everybody picks the Marx Bros. How smart! Well, my mom taught me to love an underdog, so I'm going to swoop in like King Moonracer and take the Stooges to an island, where we will all laugh and laugh. Even Shemp.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch. Pick your winner.
See, here's the thing. When the Deathmatch is over--and now the lights are on and the crowd is gone and some teenager is wiping down the arena's plastic seats--the victor, still sitting, stunned, in a corner of the Battle Cage, will realize what "winning" really means. It doesn't matter whether you're a clown or a mime: Nobody wins in a Deathmatch.

Funniest dead person you’d like to meet?
Whoever lost that Deathmatch.

Best use for a book shaped object? (You know, one of those things sold as books but which should never ever have been published.)
Hollow out a hole in the middle of it and store your secrets inside.

More info about Mac:
MacBarnett.Com
Interview with Mac at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast