Chortle. Giggle. Titter and guffaw. And smile, smile, smile. The happiest of books is back, in full, glorious, happy color. It’s the perfect shower gift. Essential for grandparents. The most cheerful book in the parenting section. These 97 games, sight gags, parlor tricks, and practical jokes require no special talent, use just the simplest household items as props, and actually work. Babies will be entertained—and adult readers will rediscover the joy of surrendering to sheer silliness. Get baby giggling with the Exaggerated Sneeze “ah-ah-ah-ah-CHOO!” The Live Jack-in-the-Box (Dad goes in large cardboard box, family sings “Pop Goes the Weasel,” and Dad jumps out at the last line). Three-Card Monte for Babies, using plastic cups and a lemon. Plus the top ten peek-a-boo variations, Yodeling in the Canyon, the Disappearing Noodle, Baby Channel Surfing, and oldies-but-goodies including Baby’s Stinky Feet. It’s the joy of letting loose and laughing with your baby.

Everything you need to know about fatherhood -- but were afraid to ask!. Why are all parenting books directed at mommies? Daddies need help, too. In fact, when you think about it, they may need more help than their naturally maternal mates do. They need guidance, comfort, and validation. They probably also need a good night's sleep, and they definitely need a good laugh. What the Heck Were You Expecting? provides month-by-month counsel for the spit-up covered, the sleep deprived, and the just plain peek-a-booed out, including such subjects as:What your wife might be complaining about (. . . anything she can think of) What your above-average child may be doing (. . . paying attention to small objects) What you might be concerned about (. . . the meaning of life) A couple of things to say to let her know that you're caring, sensitive, and up on the required reading (. . . "Listen to this one: Statistics show that attendance at work is better among married men with children and spikes even higher among fathers of newborns. Quite a coincidence, huh?") Thomas Hill, registered father and author of the best-selling What to Expect When Your Wife Is Expanding, answers every father's questions about: ESPN as Edu-tainment Horsy Knee Burn Zen and the Art of Spoon-feeding Basics of Crib Assembly Nap Time . . . and How to Hide It from Your Boss . . .among other topics.

How to Change the World (or at Least a Diaper) On Two Hours of Sleep. As the mom of a newborn, you’ll probably spend many wakeful moments wondering how your bundle of joy managed to set you onto the steepest learning curve of your life. Just like other really steep curves (think roller coasters), mommyhood can throw you for a big loop. But if you can keep your perspective–and your sense of humor–neither post-baby flab, nor interfering advisors, nor neon orange sweet-potato stains will be able to dash your gauzy visions of Baby’s first year. Designed to fuel the new mommy’s body, mind, and spirit, this indispensable month-by-month guidebook provides can’t-miss help from veteran moms. In the occasional lucid moments your sleep-starved brain allows, you’ll have a few good laughs and get the eye-opening scoop on: • Your life as a walking zombie • How to get more sleep (it can be done!) • Breast-feeding 101 (and no-guilt bottle-feeding) • Revving up your stalled love life • Battling your post-partum bulge • and much more! Whether you are a first-time mom or a “mom again,” O For a Thousand Nights to Sleep will cheer you on and help you enjoy this wondrous, wacky year of your life: Baby’s first!

Offers encouragemet to amateur writers who want to support themselves by writing. Describes the process from idea, research, query letters, and proposals to agents, contract negotiations, and promotion.

Babies can be a joy—and hard work. Now, they can also be a 50-in-1 science project kit! This fascinating and hands-on guide shows you how to re-create landmark scientific studies on cognitive, motor, language, and behavioral development—using your own bundle of joy as the research subject. Simple, engaging, and fun for both baby and parent, each project sheds light on how your baby is acquiring new skills—everything from recognizing faces, voices, and shapes to understanding new words, learning to walk, and even distinguishing between right and wrong. Whether your little research subject is a newborn, a few months old, or a toddler, these simple, surprising projects will help you see the world through your baby’s eyes—and discover ways to strengthen newly acquired skills during your everyday interactions.

News for dogs and dog lovers to smile about: The irresistible bestseller is now even more irresistible with a 4-by-6-inch “chunky” format. As quirky, colorful, and giftable as ever, 97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile is now fresher and more appealing. Developed by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who has a gift for making dogs happy, here are 97 foolproof methods and tricks for putting any dog into a state of pure pleasure. Enhancing each entry is an adorable, full-color photograph of the guaranteed result—a smiling dog. Give these a try: Lower-Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man’s Tetherball. The Hansel and Gretel—“For an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.” Or “Subliminal Game,” which works by sneaking a favorite word like “cookie” into otherwise boring jabber.* The tricks require no fancy props or special talents—just a willingness to surrender yourself to sheer silliness. They combine the creative gift of touch— unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead—with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure your dog will be amused, whether he’s laughing with you or at you. These tricks really work. *Don’t forget to have said cookie on hand.

"Noses are Red" will show what is necessary at each stage of your child's development for humor to flourish. It will also encourage and help you give this gift to your child.

A humorous, cartoon-illustrated guide for new mothers chronicles the first year of motherhood from a hospital stay to a baby's first birthday, sharing true stories and survival advice. By the author of Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me. Original.

When life is funny, make some jokes about it. Billy Plimpton has a big dream: to become a famous comedian when he grows up. He already knows a lot of jokes, but thinks he has one big problem standing in his way: his stutter. At first, Billy thinks the best way to deal with this is to . . . never say a word. That way, the kids in his new school won’t hear him stammer. But soon he finds out this is NOT the best way to deal with things. (For one thing, it’s very hard to tell a joke without getting a word out.) As Billy makes his way toward the spotlight, a lot of funny things (and some less funny things) happen to him. In the end, the whole school will know -- If you think you can hold Billy Plimpton back, be warned: The joke will soon be on you!