It's the end of March, and Hubie is struggling to prepare his pranks for the big day. The whoopee cushion, the rubber tarantula, and the fly in the ice cube just aren't good enough anymore -- not when the worst joke comes from the place he least expects it. The joke's on you in the April Fools' Day from the Black Lagoon!
Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.
Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”
Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.
Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.
4/1/24L: I'm not sure why I continue to read these books when I know I don't like them, but I guess just because I have them. I think I only have one more to go. It isn't that I hate them, they just aren't for me. I know I'm not the target demographic or anything, but whatever. In my opinion, they are just so-so books for young people. I would steer them in a different direction if I could. I did unhaul this one and the others in the series, I'm pretty sure.
April Fool's Day is approaching, and Hubie is worried about all the pranks that will be played on him, and looking forward to playing pranks on all of his friends. As the day gets closer, he needs to come up with some new pranks, but to his surprise, the person who he least expects to play a prank on him out pranks him.
3.5 stars One year, my dad convinced me that my hamster fell into the sump pump and had me looking for her for at least five minutes before he told me it was an April Fools Day joke. Another year he convinced my mom and brother that our dog got out and ran away. She wasn't too happy.