Keiko Kasza is an award-winning author/illustrator of picture books. Though she uses animals as her book characters, the subjects are always related to issues that young children face. Humor and a surprise ending are the signatures of her work.
A piglet knocks on the fox’s door apparently by mistake. The fox is thrilled. He grabs the piglet and begins to cook his favorite dish, roast pork. You will give a sigh of relief when the piglet finally escapes. But it won’t end there. A huge surprise awaits you on the last page.
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This is one of just a few books that totally wowed me. The story, the art, and the book design: each one is a musical instrument creating the most beautiful symphony together. A bear loses his hat. He asks many animals, but no one has seen it. Can he get his hat back? Yes, but Klassen throws in an unexpected twist at the end.
A wolf swallows a mouse, who meets a duck (a previous prey) in the wolf’s stomach. They become friends. The duck says that she used to worry about being eaten by wolves but now that she already has, she doesn’t worry about it anymore. What an offbeat sense of humor! You will be laughing out loud at the surprise ending.
A monster goes to Pete’s house with the intention to eat him. Pete asks the monster to play with various games and toys. The monster reluctantly does so, but each time the text goes, “He didn’t want to play...because he wanted to...EAT PETE!” Then something shocking happens – he eats Pete! Let me assure you, though, the ending is very sweet.
I always admire Jeffers’s work – it is ever creative and original. The Hueys are arguing when Gillespie comes by. He asks them, “What are you fighting about?” This stumps them. They don’t remember. Then comes Gillespie’s last line, which blows your mind. The ending couldn't be more perfect.
A wolf spots a chicken and asks her to go for a stroll with him. She accepts. Then they proceed to the woods, to his house, to his kitchen... he intends to make chicken soup. Each time she accepts his offer, her chicks show up and yell, “that’s not a good idea!” I guarantee you that you won’t see this coming. The chicks’ warning isn’t meant for their mother. What a twist!
5,309 authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about plot twists, play and playing, and bears.
We think you will like Mother Bruce, Children Make Terrible Pets, and You Will Be My Friend! if you like this list.
From Marty's list on the best books to make you laugh so hard that milk shoots out your nose.
This is probably the most perfect picture book. The illustrations are terrific – full of detail and bold colors. The humor is spot-on and works on multiple levels. Kids will adore Bruce’s cranky (but genuinely kind) attitude while adults laugh at the small asides that ring in a slightly more sophisticated way.
From Judy's list on the best laugh out loud children’s books about pets.
Lucy, the bear, is practicing her twirls in the forest when she notices she is being watched, by a boy who squeaks! Lucy thinks he is “the cutest thing in the world!” and begs her mother to let her keep him. Her mother tells her that “children make terrible pets!” but eventually relents. Lucy and Squeak do everything together but the boy is practically impossible to potty-train, ruins the furniture, makes terrible messes, and then…he disappears! When Lucy finally finds him, she realizes that some creatures make terrible pets. Then again, perhaps a…?
Peter Brown’s colour drawings are cute and funny; this book definitely made me laugh out loud. What an interesting change of perspective about humans and pets!
I liked the surprise ending too.
From Anne's list on the best children’s picture books about navigating friendship.
Lucy Bear is determined to make a friend, but it turns out to be a harder task than she anticipated. Her efforts startle, bother, annoy, and anger the other forest animals. She’s ready to give up but in the end, she finds a perfect friend—perfect for her, that is, and isn’t that what really matters? I adore Peter Brown’s colorful, jocular illustrations and the way the answer to Lucy’s desire is presented not in the text, but in the art. For a bonus friendship lesson, check out Brown’s bio on the dust jacket.