Funny You Should Ask
What’s inside...
Offers an abundant cache of ideas about using words and wordplay to create engaging riddles and jokes.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite joke or wordplay from the book, and why did it make you laugh?
How do you think using humor can help us communicate better with others?
Did any of the jokes or riddles surprise you with their answers? What did you learn from them?
Can you think of a situation where you could use a joke to lighten the mood?
How do you feel about playing with words after reading this book? Would you like to create your own word puzzle?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share their favorite jokes or riddles from the book, and discuss why those appealed to them.
Highlight the importance of humor in everyday communication and ask your child how they might use humor to make friends or cheer someone up.
After reading, engage in a playful challenge by asking each other riddles and see who can guess them right, fostering a fun learning environment.
Discuss the creative aspect of language used in the book. Encourage your child to come up with their own creative phrases or wordplays.
Use examples from the book to discuss different types of humor, such as puns and riddles, and how each can be used effectively in conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity and asking questions
Explanation: Throughout 'Funny You Should Ask', the character's inquisitive nature leads to exploration and discovery, demonstrating that asking questions is a key to learning.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be curious about the world around them, which can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Understanding and appreciating humor
Explanation: The book uses puns, jokes, and wordplay to entertain and educate, showing that humor can be a powerful tool for engagement and learning.
Real-World Application: Children learn to develop a sense of humor which can help in social interactions and in dealing with life's challenges more positively.
Example Lesson: Enhancing vocabulary and language skills
Explanation: Marvin Terban, known as 'Professor Grammar', enriches the book with clever uses of the English language, which can help improve the reader’s vocabulary and comprehension.
Real-World Application: Daily reading and conversation using new words can help children become more articulate and confident in expressing themselves.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The book poses riddles and questions that require thinking and understanding beyond the obvious, enhancing critical thinking skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach problems and puzzles in a thoughtful and analytical way, skills which are applicable in academic settings and everyday life.