World's Greatest Practical Jokes: Tricks to Fool Your Family, Teachers & Friends
What’s inside...
Packed with ideas and tricks, this book of harmless practical jokes turns every day into April Fool's Day. Every day will become April Fool’s when die-hard clowns put these tricks into play. Among the comic goodies: replacing the fruit juice with colored water, preparing peanut butter and “worms” (really spaghetti), switching one person's clothes with another’s so they’ll both feel like “misfits,” and leaving phony messages on the answering machine. (That “Mr. Wolfe” or “Mr. Lyons” called from the zoo is a good one.) With lots of school scams, body basics (like a scary “severed finger”), bathroom booby traps, and other forms of psychological warfare, the tomfoolery will last all year.
Age
7-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which practical joke from the book did you find the most amusing, and why?
How do you think the person on the receiving end of the joke felt?
Can you think of a situation where it might not be appropriate to play a practical joke?
What did you learn about timing and creativity when it comes to planning a good joke?
How can you ensure a joke is fun and harmless without hurting someone’s feelings?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a light-hearted prank you've experienced. Encourage your child to express their thoughts on different jokes and the reactions they might provoke. Discuss the importance of empathy and respect in humor, highlighting how jokes can be fun when everyone enjoys them. Use examples from the book to talk about consequences and responsible joking. Lastly, remind them that the best jokes are the ones where everyone can laugh, including the person being pranked.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: The book showcases various jokes and tricks, but it also emphasizes the importance of being honest and not hurting others with deceit.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value truthfulness and understand the impact that their actions have on others, helping them build trust in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding boundaries
Explanation: Through the reactions of those who are pranked, children can learn about personal boundaries and the importance of respecting other’s feelings and limits.
Real-World Application: This helps children navigate social interactions more thoughtfully, ensuring they respect others' space and emotions in various situations.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The book encourages children to think creatively to plan and execute jokes, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: These skills can be applied in academic and personal scenarios, helping children to think out of the box and find innovative solutions to challenges.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: By observing the outcomes of the jokes, children learn that every action has a consequence.
Real-World Application: This understanding can guide children to think critically about the potential effects of their decisions and actions in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book provides opportunities for children to understand different perspectives, especially how their pranks might affect others.
Real-World Application: This fosters empathy, allowing children to put themselves in others’ shoes and develop a deeper understanding of emotions.