Tag: humor

cover of The Underwearwolf - dark background with orange lettering for UNDERWEAR and yellow for WOLF with a spotlighted wolf in underwear. kids toys on the floor.
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

The Underwearwolf

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Okay, this one, The Underwearwolf (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso, grabbed me by the title and didn’t let go. If you like humor in books such as Creepy Carrots, then you’ll like this laugh-out-loud one.

The main character’s uncle Larry sends this note along with a gift, “I know you appreciate underwear; so I sent you the coolest ones I could find.” The kid has lots of underwear but these are “Different. Strange. Wool?” There’s fine print “DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE OR FOR ANY REASON WEAR THESE UNDERWEAR DURING THE FULL MOON.” Does our character listen? Of course not.

Hilarity ensues. Kids will be repeating phrases from this book.

I hadn’t read this bestselling author before, but now want to read his others. Read about Gideon here and check out his books here and here.

I’ve featured another book by the illustrator, this way, Charlie, which has a completely different tone. Read about Charles here and see some of his art here.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from Simon and Schuster. However, I only recommend books I like.

Cover of Courage Hats - Two characters looking out a train window, a child in a paperbag bear hat, and a bear in a paperbag human hat.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Courage Hats

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Courage Hats (Chronicle Books, 2022) by Kate Hoefler and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley is a fun read about courage and making friends.

Some don’t like train travel…
Mae is afraid because “the train went deep into bear places.”
Bear is afraid because “the train went deep into people places.”
They both create courage hats to wear. Guess where they each end up sitting?

I love the innocence of each character. And especially the phrase “…when you take your hat off, someone else will, too.”

Read about the author here and check out her books here. Kate’s newest book is The Couch in the Yard.

Jessixa is an author and an illustrator. Read about her here, see her books here, and illustration samples here.

Bright yellow cover with red words POPCORN, half of a face of a boy in glasses and a collared shirt
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Popcorn

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Popcorn (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2024) by Rob Harrell is such a good book–full of humor and heart! And it only covers one day in the of the main character. Well worth a read.

Seventh-grader Andrew has problems. His grandmother, G, is living with them and has Alzheimer’s, he has to hide his odd behaviors at school, there’s always the threat of Mean Gene, and it’s school picture day. If that’s not enough to provoke anxiety in anyone, it’s worse for Andrew who struggles with anxiety. His biggest fear is to explode into a panic attack at school.

Andrew was inspired by the author’s own experiences with anxiety, so comes across as very real. I had such sympathy for Andrew and for others in the book. I loved his relationship with his best friend, Jonesy. I enjoyed all the mishaps during his day.

Popcorn received a Schneider Family Book Award for Middle Grades (2025) and has been nominated for others this year. Inside are sketches “by” Andrew of what his life is like.

Read about Rob here and see his other books here.

cover of The Unfinished Business - features a row of attached buildings with lights in windows at night, with a girl looking out the top window and ghosts floating above
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Unfinished Business

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Unfinished Business (Fitzroy Books, 2026) by Stephanie Campisi is a beautifully written book about letting go.

Dari can see the ghosts who stick around. It creates awkward moments when her mother only hears Dari’s half of the conversation, but Dari is used to her odd life. A worried school counselor signs her up for orchestra, which might help Dari make friends. When Dari’s neighbor Maude dies, Maude’s ghost asks her for help in “finishing” unfinished business. While dealing with ghosts, Dari realizes she might have some unfinished business of her own.

This book was really fun–the ghosts are not at all creepy–and is the first book in a series, so hopefully we’ll get to meet Dari and her friends again. Note: the language is sophisticated and it may be difficult for younger middle grade readers. You can purchase the book in paperback or special edition hardcover here.

Read about the Author here and you can also see a list of all her published books on the same page. Many book covers are on the home page.

cover of Little Ghost's Summerween
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Little Ghost’s Summerween

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Friday, the Thirteenth – a perfect time for a ghost story

I just got a sneak peak at Little Ghost’s Summerween (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2026) by Maggie Edkins Willis, and it’s a delightful book that comes out in April–you can preorder now. (There’s also a companion book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend.)

Little Ghost is invited to a camp-out birthday party, but he’s only been to Halloween parties, so he thinks he’ll stay home. When his friend Anya convinces him to go, it’s fun, but it makes Little Ghost think about what kind of birthday party would be right for him. However, he doesn’t send out invitations or make party decorations, and only decides what to do at the last minute. Will his birthday be all he hopes?

I love the problem solving and the fun ideas for birthday party themes.

Read about the author/illustrator here and check out all of Maggie’s books here. I also recognized some book covers she’s done.