Future stand-up comediennes and comedians need look no further than Sharon Holt’s book on making jokes. Budding Judith Lucys or Lano and Woodleys are given the tools to learn the trade of laughter with step-by-step instructions on knock-knock jokes, practical jokes and riddles. Later on the nuances of spoonerisms, malapropisms and oxymorons are fleshed out. Yet, it’s done in a way that’s not baffling to the young reader, as they are given many examples of what these ‘big words’ mean. Holt’s historical references as to why clowns performed after plays in ancient Greece, or why April the first is known as April Fools Day are made interesting and explained competently within the text. The illustrations-by fellow New Zealander Ross Kinnaird-break up the repetition in explaining how to write jokes, which can get a bit tiresome. And if, after reading the book cover-to-cover, the reader is not entirely convinced they’re funny enough to cut the mustard on stage, then there are plenty of puns, cackles and jokes to be had at the end of the book to keep them amused.

Katie Horner is assistant editor of Bookseller+Publisher

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