Don't feed the babysitter to your boa constrictor 43 ridiculous rules every kid should know

With an uproarious vignette on every page, Zemke's title in the I'm Going to Read! series mocks restrictions about "when to walk, not walk, sit, stand, and talk." In chapters on eating, brothers, sisters, pets, and parents, simple words and slapstick line-and-watercolor pictures show and tell "good" advice--from "Never send your little brother anywhere by mail. It's too slow" to "Practice multiplication by always asking for twice as much money as you really need." Kids will enjoy sharing the laugh-out-loud scenarios that make reading not a duty, but fun. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist

Gr 2-3-The "ridiculous rules" in this chapter book include, "Never eat anything that is still moving" and "Don't decorate the Christmas tree with your sister's underwear." While the introduction states that "it's time to learn some rules that are so ridiculous you will never need to follow them," Rule No. 25 is "Teach your dog cool tricks" and No. 33 says, "Be sure to bring plenty of things to keep you busy on long car trips." There are others, as well, that are not in keeping with the format. The pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoon illustrations are funny, and kids will get a kick out of them. If you have a need for nonsense rules, this book will provide some giggles.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.