Knock, Knock! Who's There? Jokes by 14 Wacky and Talented Artists

Knock, Knock! Who's There? Jokes by Fourteen Wacky and Talented Artists Inside!
Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99
40 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-0803731523

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

What's not to love about knock, knock jokes? Unless your child, like mine, is stuck on the same joke over and over. Sometimes, "Knock, knock!" "Who's there?" "Boo!" "Boo who?" "Don't cry, it's only a joke." As much as you want to laugh, after 900 times, it's just not as funny anymore. So I'm thankful for Knock, Knock! Who's There? More than just increasing my kid's repertoire of knock, knock jokes, it's also an engaging collection of children's illustrators showing of an old dog's new tricks.

The text of the book, a follow up to Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? (Dial, 2006), is simply a series of fourteen knock, knock jokes. Each joke is illustrated by a different artist in his or her trademark style, adding depth and situational humor to every one. The book's a nice mix of new and familiar jokes; it's really the artists' work that elevates Knock, Knock! Who's There? to more than just a new joke book for kids.

Saxton Freymann (Food Play) illustrates his "lettuce" joke with two heads of lettuce, natch, looking out at the reader with black-eyed peas for eyes. Peter H. Reynolds' artwork is also immediately recognizable, in keeping with his books The Dot and Ish. Even the famous interrupting cow knock, knock joke is there, the humorous effects of which are illustrated by Laurie Keller (Grandpa Gazillion's Number Yard).

The visual variety of the artwork in the book -- both in style and execution (pen and ink, acrylics, watercolors, etc.) -- is attractive to young readers and really holds their interest. Young readers will find the style of many of the pictures familiar, as contributors to the book include well-known illustrators Tomie dePaola, Henry Cole, David Small, Sophie Blackall, and Dan Yaccarino. The book's charming conclusion spotlights whom the artists would want to find knocking at their own doors. Each artist supplied a self-portrait along with their answer to the question, a pleasant surprise ending to the book, including Tomie dePaola volleying just one more joke at the reader.

Like any good joke book should be, Knock, Knock! Who's There? is just plain fun. Reading it is sure to elicit giggles and enthusiasm for both repeated readings and numerous retellings of every joke in the book.