Customer Reviews

Don't Make Me Laugh

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

 

 

All of the second graders at William Halley Elementary in Fairfax Station, Virginia enjoyed this book when it was read aloud during a recent library visit. When asked to review the title for other children, their comments ranged from, "This is a really, really funny book!" to "I liked the rules for reading the best!" to "Tell the author to write another book like this one!" The seven and eight year old students loved being ordered to return to the front of the book whenever they laughed at the characters' antics; they appreciated being participants in the stories, not just readers. The students enthusiastically recommend this title, and give the book a Halley Hornet rating of 10 out of a possible 10.

We found this Gem at the library this week..and boy are we glad we did!! My 5 & 7 year old sons were in hysterics! Out of the 28 books we took out this week and the countless we've taken out this past year...this is the hands down winner!! My 5 year old starts giggling as soon as we open the book! Definitely a book that will be under the Christmas tree this year. Worth every penny!!

My 6 year old daughter has taken this book out 3 times [so far] since discovering it in her school library. Not only has it encouraged her to read, she and her friend acted it out as a play, with props and all!
She thinks it is the most hilarious book she has ever read!

A cursory glance at James Stevenson and a person might make the mistake of considering him the poor man's Quentin Blake. The style is similar, if unique in its own particular way. The subject matter rather than accompanying Roald Dahl's books instead are best found alongside poet Jack Prelutsky's titles. On closer examination, however, it becomes clear that Stevenson is his own beast. Unlike many illustrators of children's books, Mr. Stevenson keeps mostly to himself and doesn't go in for a lot of Internet interviews. His work has continued steadily over the years, showing up alongside such impressive names as Dr. Seuss, Charlotte Zolotow, and the aforementioned Prelutsky. He's written cartoons for the New Yorker and if you saw one of his pictures you'd instantly recognize it from one source or another. During the New York City transit strike of December 2005 I was working at a library close to my home when a fellow librarian asked if I was familiar with, "Don't Make Me Laugh". I confessed that though I'd seen it time and time again (and was familiar with its sequel, "No Laughing, No Smiling, No Giggling"), I hadn't actually read it, per say. The other librarian replied that she'd just had a patron raving over the book. They called it the funniest thing they'd ever seen. A title that their kids ask for over and over again. A book so amusing that it rivaled (GASP!) "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus". I was intrigued and took the title home immediately. And while I do not think this makes a serious pass at the pigeon's throne, I can say that with this book Stevenson breaks down a fourth wall or two and engages kids in a truly interactive experience.

Right from the start you meet Mr. Frimdimpny. Though it is unclear if he is a crocodile or an alligator, one fact cannot be ignored. Mr. Frimdimpny is in charge of this book and there are certain rules that must be obeyed. There shall be no laughing, no smiling, and if either of these rules are broken then the reader must go to the front of the book. "It's that way", says Mr. Frimdimpny with a flourish of his hand. One last rule is proclaimed: "Don't do anything you are told not to do" (which may take some parsing on the kids' parts). We then get treated to various funny little stories. Two teddy bears get one another to smile (and are thrown swiftly to the front of the book by the ever vigilant Frimdimpny). Pierre the waiter confides in the reader that he is ticklish and marks the spot accordingly (leading to some predictable results involving a large platter of colorful food). Fendently the elephant has a cold that is brought on by the reader's breathing. Finally we meet a dapper hippo in, oh joy, a fancy glass store who dances when the reader starts to hum, whistle, or sing. By the book's end Mr. Frimdimpny is suspicious. He does a test to see if the kids are smiling but, in the course of it, finds the reader's face to be SO funny that we end with a smiling Frimdimpny making his way to the front of the book.

I'm always on the lookout for good books to read aloud at storytimes. At first I didn't think that, "Don't Make Me Laugh" quite fit the bill. The book is SO interactive that it would work best with a single child (or perhaps two) physically tickling the waiter or pressing their nose to Mr. Frimdimpny's window. After careful consideration, however, I see now that I'm being silly. Of course this would make a great readaloud! Imagine a room full of first graders singing their hearts out as a suited up hippo proceeds to destroy a shop full of delicate glass. Magnificent! The nature of the book is such that it involves the reader beautifully. On top of that, adults reading, "Don't Make Me Laugh" will be just as amused by Stevenson's wry comments. When a stricken Mr. Frimdimpny (say THAT name ten times fast) appears on a page after the waiter incident he says, "You did not laugh, did you? Look me in the eye". Who could resist pressing their face up to the scaly creature's round yellow peepers? Not I.

The book has often been ripped off in the past. Since its publication there have been titles like, "Tickle the Duck" by Ethan Long and others stories where kids are begged NOT to do something (thereby rendering it irresistible). It's hard not to have a whole lot of affection for "Don't Make Me Laugh", though. A fine little addition to any library, personal or private, and a great readaloud for screaming hoards of young `uns.

I read this book to my 2nd graders. For days after, they begged me to read it over and over again. They could not stop laughing the whole time and you know what that means! We had to start the book all over again! :D