Some days you just need a lot of silly, tickle-your-funny-bone kind of humor. There are a lot of children’s picture books that can probably fit the bill, but in my opinion, the best are gherkin related. If you are like me, you are feeling the effects of a three-day weekend (thanks to the U.S. Memorial Day holiday) and the dragging, off-week that follows. We could all use a nice little chuckle. Allow me to present Pickle Things by Marc Brown, 1980.
Our house is no stranger to pickles and holds a profound love for the dill variety. They are the only food my husband would voluntarily eat as a child and my daughter has recently joined the fan club herself, although her tastes are a bit more broad thankfully. So, when I stumbled upon this book in a used bookstore years ago, I just knew we had the perfect home for it. Here is a book that lists pickle things you would never see, never make, never buy, and more. And of course, this book tells it all in rhyme.
With things like a pickle ear, pickle nose, pickle cake, and pickle shakes… the entire effect is giggle-inducing.
The rhymes are simple and light, but paired cleverly with great illustrated versions of the hilarious concoction. Lots of green abounds, we are talking about pickles of course, and there is no end in delight at the many things a pickle isn’t.
Although best known for his famous character of Arthur that can be seen in books, shows and more; Marc Brown is incredibly varied with his subjects and styles. In Pickle Things, he uses bold black outlines and fills them with a colorful, but slightly limited palette that often has the textured look of crayon.
Great for a picnic, lovely for a late-afternoon snack; this pickled book is packed full of humor for any occasion. It is a fun read – requiring several pauses for laughter – and the result is a pickling, tickling good time.
Three Books a Night 
Looks like a fun book to read aloud to children!
I like to read a short sentence on a page with clear pictures so the kids can look at the picture, hear a little bit and then, I enjoy watching their minds take it all they see.
Thanks for sharing this one!
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Back in the late 1980s when my older son was a rugrat we joined the Parents Magazine book club. We got 2 books a month for a year or so, and every other month we’d get a bonus 3rd book. Mark Brown’s Pickle Things was amongst those children’s books., along with others like Sherlock Chick and the Peek a boo mystery. My boys loved those books.
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Oh my goodness, another one from my childhood that I thought no one knew about. So glad to see it here!!!!
I don’t know if you take review suggestions, but if you do, please get in touch because I have some favorites I’d love to share.
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This was my son’s favorite book as a child, and I am trying to find a reasonably priced copy for when someday he makes me a grandma. Before he could read he would sit on the floor and recite the book as if he were reading it, turning the pages at the right time like he was really reading! He’s 31 now, and this book really brings back great memories!
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