AND NOW A WORD TO TEACHERS AND PARENTS

I am a humorous writer and illustrator and love all things funny. That probably explains why I have written and illustrated three joke books, plus illustrated a book that teaches you how to be annoying. Taking a joke or a humorous story and adding a funny illustration to it to make it even funnier is probably the best part of my job.

I’m always in pursuit of things that will make me (and others) laugh. I can’t help it—that’s just the way I’m wired. But that’s not a bad thing. Laughing is good for you. Really.

In fact, on a serious note…

HERE ARE SOME VERY PLAUSIBLE REASONS
WHY JOKES ARE GOOD FOR CHILDREN

Kids love to laugh (it’s in their DNA) and whether it’s making a goofy face or gesture, telling a funny story or cracking a joke—they all want that feeling they get from making themselves and someone else laugh. Kids are natural joke-tellers. It's a skill that can be developed, like making music, solving puzzles, or playing sports.

Telling jokes can hone a child's verbal skill (which later in life could lead to public speaking skill). Few things boost a kid’s self-esteem like telling a joke (or a funny story) successfully. Kids who like telling jokes are more likely to take other risks—acting, debating, sports, the possibilities are endless—because they're less afraid to try new things.

Jokes are terrific for reluctant readers. They can even be used as a teaching strategy—to get students reading and thinking. A teacher in Corpus Christi, Texas, Connie L. Patchett, reports that she taught one of her students to read by posting a new knock-knock joke every day. By stimulating interest in the form or pattern of a joke, she inspired this student to start decoding the punch lines.

Jokes can broaden a kid’s horizons, and humor is an excellent peacemaker. Kids from all backgrounds can bond over jokes—laughing, not fighting. Humor is a great communicator.

Jokes are healing, invigorating, healthy—plus contain no fat or cholesterol. They are just plain good for you!