Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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).

When mother possum thinks it is time for Joe to learn how to play dead so if ever in a sitituation he can escape his enemy, there is one problem. Mother possum can't get Joe to stop laughing. She tells Joe over and over again that he needs to learn how to play dead, and that he can't laugh anymore. So she bribes Joe, but it doesn't seem to be working.
Mother possum tells Joe that she is only going to try one more time to teach him how to play dead. They go ouside, and all of the sudden something happens. I guess if you want to find out what happens you will have to read this great book full of laughs for yourself. I would recommend this book for children ages 3-8.

I am a school librarian and I am always looking for new a fresh stories to tell. This author has never let me down. Joe, a young possum, has to learn how to play dead. His mother frets because Joe takes it as a joke and she is afraid something terrible will happen to him if he doesn't learn his lesson. So much laughter and fun you can't keep a straight face as you tell about Joe trying to learn his lessons.

This book is just wonderful - the illustrations are so cute and the story is hilarious! The favorite childrens' book in our house

My daughter and I love any books by this author. They are very humorous, so fun for adults too! Another great one by the same author is My Lucky Day.

Mother Possum is trying to teach Joe how to play dad. But no matter what Mother Possum does, Joe can't help laughing. When she pretends to be a hungry fox, Joe laughs so hard his stomach hurts. When she pretends to be nasty coyote, Joe laughs so hard that he screams for her to stop. When she shakes him like a scary wildcat, Joe laughs and wiggles onto the floor. Mother Possum is about to give up hope when out of the woods comes a grumpy old bear! Written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza, Don't Laugh, Joe! is a splendid picturebook tale for young readers.