Two new picture books feature a cast of furry friends who delight in goofy wordplay. Young readers will learn about rhyming and the creative possibilities of language—that is, if they can stop giggling long enough.
If your good-bye idioms are limited to alligators and crocodiles, Take a Hike, Miles and Spike!, the hilarious picture book from the creative duo behind the equally funny Give Me Back My Book!, will expand your rolodex of farewell phrases. As hounds Miles and Spike walk past all sorts of woodland and farm animals, they bid such rhyming departures as “Take care, Grizzly Bear!” and “Peace out, Rainbow Trout!” But the digitally enhanced, comic-like illustrations set against vibrant colors reveal that these canine companions are not as friendly as their words suggest. Instead, they help themselves to logs from the moose’s forest, corn from the crow’s pasture and flowers from the butterfly’s garden, cramming them all into their backpacks.
When the dogs, thirsty from trying to carry the now heavy packs, try to claim a water source for their own, the other animals decide that they have had enough: “Take a hike, Miles and Spike,” they yell. Miles and Spike realize their mistakes and return the pillaged items, hoping to make amends and regain the trust of their friends. They invite the other animals to join in their excursion, resulting in more amusing rhymes from “Want to go, Buffalo?” to “Join the fun, everyone!” Miles and Spike prove that learning manners can be enjoyable.
KNOCKOUT GIGGLES
Who doesn’t like a good knock-knock joke? Bear is in his comfy pajamas under a warm quilt, and he’s ready for bed. Right when he’s about to fall asleep, he hears a loud knock, or rather a “KNOCK KNOCK” at the door. After Bear asks who’s there, he hears that it’s Justin. Of course, the groggy Bear wonders, “Justin who?” It’s a fox carrying a large stack of firewood who’s “Justin the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by!” Soon there are more knocks—and more puns—as birds arrive with streamers, a raccoon shows up with a pot of soup and other woodland friends come bearing cupcakes, balloons and hot chocolate.
Even more entertaining than author Tammi Sauer’s wordplay in Knock Knock are the colorful and comical illustrations from Guy Francis that depict the adorable animals with animated features. While the woodland creatures happily take over Bear’s home, his mounting annoyance and sleepiness are evident. With clues in the illustrations, young readers will understand the jokes and recognize that the animals’ preparations are for a surprise hibernation party for Bear long before the character does. And as the friends tuck Bear into his bed for the winter, observant children will also notice fun details like a Goldilocks bedtime story. When the season turns to spring, it’s Bear who has the last laugh. Awake with renewed energy, he hurriedly sets out to visit his friends, giving a knock—or rather a “KNOCK KNOCK”—on their doors. This amusing picture book is for readers who can grin and bare a clever pun.
