We are definitely living in an era where we need sparkling humor to start our day. With children, parents, and teachers nervous about the return to class, a little joke, a funny play on words, can certainly lighten the mood. Like “Why did the teacher wear sunglasses?” and “Why did the librarian need a ladder?” You’ll have to read the book to find the answer and it’s a clever, funny play on words, to be sure. Each new joke has something to do with school – nothing derogatory, all in good fun and some are quite hilarious.

Lisa Ayotte’s children’s picture book, Punny Peeps’ Cool School Jokes, is a great way to start another school year. I love the illustrations that accompany each joke – they’re clever, lighthearted, and inspired. The first joke about the teacher wearing sunglasses has a photograph of a posed classroom with puffball students and teacher (the teacher, of course, wearing sunglasses). The photographer obviously went to considerable effort to make the illustration as endearing and hilarious as the joke it accompanies. There are thirty-two jokes in this little gem of a book – all school-related. At the end, the author sums up her intent in producing this book. She explains that it’s important to spend time reading and laughing every single day! And always remember…it’s the little things that matter most. You can change the world one peep at a time, so be kind and spread joy wherever you go! A great way for young readers to share a laugh and improve some of their creative and critical thinking skills.

Children will enjoy reading, memorizing, and reciting the clean jokes in Punny Peeps’ Cool School Jokes. The full-color photographs will make it easier to remember the jokes—and deliver the punchlines. Some jokes are silly, but they offer clean fun and may encourage children to read. Author and teacher Lisa Ayotte has created a winning formula of jokes and visuals to capture children’s attention—and keep it. I believe her newest joke book encourages reading because it’s funny. The images of two peeps and a lot of props or animals will help students visualize and remember the joke so they can tell it to others.

The photographs in Punny Peeps’ Cool School Jokes are engaging and I found myself studying the images, looking for subtle messages and other jokes. Sometimes, there’s a poster on the wall or a book with more jokes on it. The pom-pom peeps and the props are entertaining arranged. But, this book offers much more than just jokes for teachers and parents. The photographs are engaging and can be used for counting the number of cats on page 19 or can you name the insects on page 10 or how many frogs can you find on page 21? This joke book is also a “Search and Find Book!” Teachers and parents will get a lot of use from this book. You could also encourage children to create their own scene—make up a joke and then illustrate the scene by drawing it or creating it with toys they have.