Category: Laughter's Medicine

Robomop

9/14/2022

Picture book, 42 pages. Robomop, a diligent worker and talented honky-tonk dancer, longs for family and friends. Published in 2013 by Dial Books for Young Readers.

Laugh out loud funny!

Robomop's attempts to escape the basement bathroom he cleans are a blend of Chaplin-esque high-jinks and determined toddler antics. Laugh out loud funny! And the social justice commentary is light as a feather when both Robomop and his human friend who cleans windows are replaced by an even more industrious Cleanerette. Rodriguez's illustrations are reminiscent of mid-century protest posters with muted watercolors.

Ideas for Making it Real

Others' reviews have likened Robomop to Rolie Polie Olie, but he's far closer to Charlie Chaplin without the mustache!

An older child might appreciate a Chaplin silent short film but it's probably best to turn on your younger child's favorite music for a mini-dance party! TimeOut's list of 15 Best Dance Songs for Kids is a good place to start!

This title is not available through Bookshop.org at this time.
But I bet it's at your local library!

"Stand Back," said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!"

4/22/2021

1971, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books

"The zebra yelled, ""Yipes,
You'll blow off my stripes,
Plus lots and lots
Of the leopard's spots,
And all of the snakes will be tied in knots!"

The hippopotamus
Said, "A lot of us
Will fall right on our bottom-us
If you sneeze.
So please,
Don't sneeze."

Patricia Thomas

Thomas (1934 - ) began her career as a copywriter/editor but quickly discovered she liked to write children's books. Red Sled, a children's board book, and "There Are Rocks in My Socks," said the Ox to the Fox are also children's favorites.

Wallace Tripp

Tripp (1940 - 2018) illustrated more than thirty-nine children's books, drew animals for the Pawprints Greeting Cards, a family owned business, and art for the Richard Purdum Animation Studio. Our favorite Thomas book has always been Marguerite, Go Wash Your Feet!

George and Martha Tons of Fun

4/21/2021

1980, Houghton Mifflin Company

"One day Martha stepped into a photography booth.
"I love to have my picture taken," she said.
"Click," went the camera.

When Martha saw her photograph, she was thrilled.
"I've never looked prettier," she said.""

James Marshall

Marshall (1942 - 1992) studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music and taught school before turning to writing and illustrating children's books in the late 1970s. Marshall illustrated more than seventy books, the majority of which he also wrote.

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