Wednesday, November 21, 2012

#16 Humorous eBooks for Kids

       My stated objective for this post was to recommend several eBooks for kids with humorous poems, riddles and chapter stories.

     That turned out to be more challenging than I had expected for two reasons: one is that some of the best examples are not out in digital format (yet). The other difficulty has to do with what kids find amusing.

     I had, for example, almost forgotten how so many of my fourth graders broke into uncontrolled gales of laughter at any sound or suggestion of bodily noises.

     So, I have done my best here to sort out some wholesome examples of children's humor with only one serious regret. Shel Silverstein's books of poetry are still unavailable for the Nook or Kindle.  

     Go ahead, with my blessings, and read his wonderful works in regular "printed on paper" books.  Trust me, you will love them in any format.  


*****

     My first eBook recommendation is by Roald Dahl who also wrote the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books.

     His humor is a bit dark, but very, very funny.  The Twits was published in 1980, and is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, a couple of despicable individuals who take turns playing tricks on each other. At last a family of circus monkeys  teaches them one very final lesson.  

     It is a fun read-aloud, and is available for $6.99 for both the Kindle and Nook (Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com).

     So far, so good, right?  Now it's going to get tricky, so pay close attention to which books are offered by whom.


*****

     Jack Prelutksy's poetry book entitled What a Day it Was at School! (2009) is available from Amazon for the Kindle for $5.99, but B&N does not have it for their Nook.


*****

     Casey at the Bat and Other Great Poems for Kids (2009), is offered by Amazon.com for their Kindle for $2.49, and by B&N.com for their Nook for $2.99.


*****

     And now we come to the joke and riddle books.  Parents and teachers, you do realize that these books will require your active participation, don't you?--especially, the Knock, Knock jokes?

*****

     Michelle Zimmerman has published a collection entitled 101 Christmas Jokes for Kids downloadable to the Kindle for $1.99.  In her description, she suggests using a phone app so your child can enjoy reading jokes while waiting at the grocery store or doctor's office. 

     Keep those kids reading!

*****

     Jeffrey Fisher has published Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Jokes for Kids on B&N for their Nook for $.99.

*****

     There are many, many titles.  You will want to sort through the titles carefully, though.  Just enter "joke books for kids" in the search window of your device or computer web page.

     I hope you have found this post helpful.  Next time, I will recommend some eBooks about the holidays.

     Until then, please keep reading...


    

Sunday, November 4, 2012

#15 eBooks About Strong, Independent Kids


     Margaret's Christmas Cookies by Lynda will be offered as a free promotion for your Kindles on November 10 and 11. I hope you will take advantage of this special offer for holiday gift-giving.

     Because I have accepted a 90-day exclusive contract with Amazon, the title is no longer offered with my other eBooks on Barnes and Noble for their Nook reading devices. It is currently only on Amazon for Kindles.

    Margaret, the main character in my story, fits the theme for this post, so I am using it for one of today's recommended books. I have previously posted an entry to my other blog with details about it.  You can access it by clicking on Margaret's Christmas Cookies info.


*****

     Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell was published in 1960. It is the story of a young girl who learns to survive alone on a small island. Both Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble offer it for their reading devices at $4.99.

*****

     The Boxcar Children Mysteries #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner was originally published in 1924.  In recent years, the series has been extended by other authors, but the original versions are available on both Amazon and B&N for $4.61. Warner's books are also available as eBooks in collections of multiple series numbers.

*****

     I can't resist re-recommending my favorite classic, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, originally published in 1883.  Amazon offers a free version (public domain) as well an one with maps and illustrations for only$1.99.  B&N also has versions beginning at $.99. The choices include a children's classic with an easier readability, though the original version is wonderful for shared reading with an adult to support discussions.

*****

     I was disappointed to find that Pippi Longstocking, published in 1945 by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, is only available as an Audible Audio Kindle edition for $10.95 on Amazon.  Pippi is a wonderful story and an easy read.  I believe that it should be offered as a regular eBook, and I hope it soon will be.

     In the next post, I will recommend some outstanding eBooks of children's humor.  Some are poetry, some riddles, and some are chapter books. 

     For now, please keep reading...