FICTION

What's So Funny?

Making Sense of Humor
by Donna M. JACKSON
978-0-67001-244-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4—6—This title looks at various aspects of humor, including history, types, cultural and gender differences, the physiology of a laugh, types of laughs, artificial laughter, animals and humor, and, finally, how to develop jokes and share them. The stories and quotes from experts plus carefully selected examples clarify the information and keep the chapters light. Insets supplement each topic; e.g., in the "Laugh Tracks," texting shortcuts for laughter are included. Humorous black-and-white cartoons are scattered throughout, amplifying the content. Researchers and budding comedians will find plenty of useful material.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
Loosely organized chapters lightly explore the psychology of humor and jokes, physiological effects of laughter, gender and age differences in what people find funny, and the possibility of humor in other species. The information provided is basic and stretched rather thinly, and the exemplary jokes, while plentiful, aren't very funny (neither are the cartoon illustrations). Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.
Reviewed by Carol S. Surges , Jul 01, 2011

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