[CaroleB]

    Question #1
       Can anyone think of a really funny picture book that is also sweet or maybe one that is mostly funny but has a sweet ending?


    Question #2
       If you answered #1 with a yes--how does that affect the tone of the book? Does switching tone ever work?

         Just wondering.

          Carole

[MysteryRobin Posts: 693 Status: Offline]

The first one that comes to mind is Cowboy and Octopus. It's very funny (in a dry kind of way) and ends on an up note about the friendship, I believe.

[LeslieG Posts: 174 Status: Offline WWW]

I'd say Mostly Monsterly fills the bill for mostly funny with a sweet ending.  A far as switching tones, I'd say it has to be a pretty seamless switch, or where the tones are so interrelated that you don't notice any real separateness--like in Mostly Monsterly, where you have a sweet character in a funny situation.

[Tammi Posts: 1,342 Status: Offline WWW]

Thanks for mentioning Mostly Monsterly, Leslie!  :

[LeslieG Posts: 174 Status: Offline WWW]

My pleasure, Tammi.  And thanks for the cupcake!    (<- official Tammi Sauer Chicken Dance emoticon  )

[CaroleB]

     Thanks all for answering. I'll look into it some more.

      Tammi, your book looks adorable!

[Jean Reidy Posts: 724 Status: Offline I love kids' books!! WWW]

I was just going to say MOSTLY MONSTERLY but Leslie beat me to it.

[amberturner Posts: 142 Status: Offline WWW]

LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER comes to mind.

I think a book switching tones is welcome...especially if a character was acting badly throughout the book.

[chrismch1 Posts: 11 Status: Offline just a few of my favorite books WWW]

My favorites are the Amber Brown picture books - always funny with a touch of sweetness in a tomboy way thrown in.

[Jodell Sadler]

Prudence Wants a Pet by Kathleen Daly is simply a stitch of a read. Prudence asks for a pet. Mom and Dad say no, so she makes Branch a pet. Branch gets broken to bits and so Prudence makes Twig her pet. Then Famous Footwear takes over and is walked around the block on a leash. Soon Prudence thinks even little brothers could make a good pet. Mom and Dad instantly think a pet would be nice. Here the concept is funny, the illustrations are a hoot, and the end is sweet, as she names her kitten Branch. This book just make me LOL.

[Franzilla Posts: 1,000 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Prudence Wants a Pet by Kathleen Daly is simply a stitch of a read. Prudence asks for a pet. Mom and Dad say no, so she makes Branch a pet. Branch gets broken to bits and so Prudence makes Twig her pet. Then Famous Footwear takes over and is walked around the block on a leash. Soon Prudence thinks even little brothers could make a good pet. Mom and Dad instantly think a pet would be nice. Here the concept is funny, the illustrations are a hoot, and the end is sweet, as she names her kitten Branch. This book just make me LOL.

This sounds hilarious! I'm going to get it just for the Branch bit. My daughter recently stuck googley eyes on a branch and took it out for a walk. I'm betting she'll really identify with Prudence. Thanks!

[Jodell Sadler]

I bet your daughter will love it! You must let me know. Too funny.