Don't Laugh, Joe! (Picture Puffin Books) [Paperback]

Keiko Kasza (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Puffin Books

Joe, a playful young possum, cannot get rid of the giggles, but when a grouchy bear comes out of the woods, Joe has to shake the giggles and play dead like a good little possum in a dangerous predicament.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A possum can't keep a straight face when his mother tries to teach him to play dead. PW wrote: "Joe's giggles, conveyed so mirthfully in the pictures, are pretty contagious." Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. Joe the possum's irrepressible giggle gets in the way when his mother tries to teach him a life skill: playing possum. Time after time he fails, until his mother asks him, sighing, "What will you do when real danger comes?" When grumpy Mr. Bear comes from the woods, Joe comes through, only to find that Bear has come to him for help. At last, the two exchange favors: Joe learns to play dead and Mr. Bear learns to laugh. The possums live in a typical human household, and Joe's friends are warm and supportive animals. The setting is so cozy that when Mr. Bear appears, he's just not that scary. Charming watercolor-and-ink art, effective use of white space, and varied page design make this slim story a satisfying visual experience. Despite all the giggles though, Joe's laugh is just not that convincing.?Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698117948
• ISBN-13: 978-0698117945
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Mammals > Fiction

More About the Author

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Joe" is a hit with primary students, February 14, 2000

By 

Gary (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Laugh, Joe! (Hardcover)

I too am a school librarian (well, actually, a substitute school librarian). "Don't Laugh, Joe!" has been a favorite of primary students at the three schools where I work. The text is fun, the illustrations are appealing, and the kids enjoy acting out scenes, such as when Joe is sniffed, poked and shaken. Joe is a possum who, with the help of a sort of ferocious bear, learns the art of playing dead. The bear learns the joy of laughter. "Don't Laugh, Joe!" lends itself well to a discussion of animals and their defenses.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding picture book!, January 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Laugh, Joe! (Hardcover)

As a children's librarian, I always look for great picture books which work well with a group. This one has proven to be a real favorite. The kids absolutely love it! Highly recommended for ages 4-6.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE FUN YOU CAN HAVE, November 6, 2003

By 

amber "katia_anderson" (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Laugh, Joe! Hb (Hardcover)

Loved it. My three children and I go through 4-6 books every day, and this one was an instant hit, which does not happen very often. The illustrations are a real treat, and we enjoyed playing the story out, again and again. Add the characters' voices - and you are in for a few minutes of great fun (not to mention a lot of giggles - just think about that yummy beetles-and-cockroaches pie Mother Possum makes).