Just Macbeth by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

New to the classroom bookshelves is Andy Griffith's Just Macbeth. It is a must-read for all diehard Griffiths fans. This is the seventh book in the Just series. It is written as a play and blends the characters from the Just series with the story and characters from Macbeth. Andy, Lisa and Danny are rehearsing the famous witches' scene from the play in preparation for a performance they are doing for their English class. They concoct a disgusting potion and then dare each other to try it. Suddenly, they are transported back in time into the battle scene of Act 1. Andy is mistaken by the three hags as Macbeth and told his future, that he should become a king. The book then pretty much follows the plot line of the original play with Andy, Lisa and Danny taking on the roles of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo. The language is a mix of colloquial kids' language with sprinklings of Shakespeare's famous lines. The illustrations and quips of Terry Denton, as always, do justice to the book giving humorous advice and suggestions to the reader as well as deviating from the plot with other ridiculous but very funny reinterpretations of historical events.

The stage show was a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eUpkFVE95Y

Just Tricking by Andy Griffiths

It's 8.15 a.m. and I'm still in bed. I should have got up an hour ago.

But I didn't. You wanna know why?

Because I'm dead.

Well, not not really dead. I'm just pretending I'm dead so I don't have to go to school.

If I convince Mum and Dad that I'm dead, not only will I have pulled off one of the greatest practical jokes of the century, but I'll get off going to school for the rest of the year. Maybe even the rest of my life.

Thus begins the first story in this book, typical Griffith's style. Andy Griffith's books greatly appeal to upper primary boys. Just Tricking is the first book in the Just Series and it contains ten short stories on the theme of tricks and practical jokes narrated by the main character, Andy. Now Andy believes he is the world's greatest practical joker, however, most of his jokes backfire on him making this a pretty funny read. Just Stupid and Just Disgusting are also available for borrowing from the Little Library of Rescued Books.

Check out the author talking about this series of books and his book called Just Macbeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6UNvg7xbYs

Fast Food and No Play Make Jack a Fat Boy by Andy Griffiths, Jim Thompson and Sophie Blackmore

This book is a team effort by Andy Griffiths (humorous Australian Author), Jim Thompson (a former athlete and fitness instructor), and Sophie Blackmore (a dietician). Whilst having an entertaining storyline, it is also filled with practical information and advice on being healthy. Jack is an ordinary Australian boy who shares his life with us; he is overweight, always tired and addicted to computer games and television. Suddenly this lifestyle is causing him real issues, especially when his father, on whom many of his habits are modelled, has a major health scare. It is clear that things around the house are going to have to change.. Each chapter in Jack's life is complemented with a discussion of real-life facts as well as easy-to-follow strategies for making the necessary changes. This book is as much for adults as it is for children, and it would also make an excellent read-aloud novel for the whole class. Meet one of the authors, Andy Griffiths, by clicking on the link below:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/s3305754.htm

The Bad Book by Andy Griffith & Terry Denton

Just ask James in my class if this book is worth reading and he will give you a resounding YES. I must agree they are pretty funny and definitely a little off beat, and sometimes, somewhat foul. Take this little one about grannies; totally politically correct, of course...NOT:

The Bad Granny

Once upon a time there was a bad granny.

She was bad

and evil

and mean

In fact she was so bad and evil and mean that they put her in a truck with all the other bad grannies and took her to the Granny Smith Apple Factory.

The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Poo is quite a take on the traditional old lady who simply swallowed a spider!

Terry Denton's ink drawings add greatly to the humour of the poems and riddles. So if you are feeling a bit sad or slightly depressed this book will bring you some cheer.

Just Disgusting by Andy Griffiths

Will you be interested in this book?

Do the following survey to find out:

Do you do any, or most of the following things?

Do you ever pick your nose?

Do you talk in burps?

Do you wee in swimming pools?

Do you wear your undies two days in a row?

Do you wish you knew the most disgusting thing in the world?

Do you think brussel sprouts are a delicious mouth watering treat?

Do you like stories about dead flies, giant slugs and mysterious brown blobs?

SCORE: One point for each ‘yes’ answer.

3-5 You are completely and utterly disgusting. You will love this book.
1-2 You are fairly disgusting. You will love this book.
0 You are a disgusting liar. You will love this book.

Click on the link to see Andy interacting with some students.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYRSAi4gd4I