Life Lessons Cloaked in Punny Humor

I bet a lot of you have heard of these books: The Sour Grape, The Big Cheese, The Couch Potato, andThe Bad Seed, written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald. I am a fan of picture books which have a lesson but delivered in such a way, a kid would just laugh and enjoy the story as the lesson sneaks under the surface…sort of like osmosis.

These books are fun for both kids and adults. I enjoy the vocabulary which is richly specific and not “dumbed down.” Each book has a refrain which anchors the plot nicely and a strong narrative arc where the reader can experience how wrong the choices are for each particular food and then rejoice in its road for redemption or at least enlightenment, all told in appropriate kid-speak.

Oswald’s illustrations are perfect to not only show what is happening but how the food is feeling.

This series of books makes me think of a picture book I am still revising. It originally began as The Bully at Doggy Daycare, but that version sort of hit you over the head with the lesson. Then it morphed into Doggy Manners Matter. Getting better….now it’s entitled Paw-sitive Friends. I am getting closer to my vision,but I must admit these books make me want to go back and see if the story can stand strong as the lesson sneaks in.

It’s a work in progress:) But who knows? Maybe someday someone will blog about its final version.

Until then check out these books by John and Oswald.