What a Trip! by Arthur Yorinks, illustrated by Richard Egielski

Mel is walking along kicking a rock when he trips and falls into another dimension where everything looks similar but very pointy.  When Mel trips there, he falls back into his own dimension where no one believes him.  After finally being diagnosed as nothing more than a klutz, Mel trips once again and falls back into the pointy dimension right in front of his father.  Will Mel be able to return this time?  And what happens when he meets the pointy Mel?

This is one of those books that is so surprising that you will draw even reluctant listeners into the story with Mel’s first trip.  Everyone will need to see what the other dimension looks like and Egielski’s illustrations are such fun that they will stay to see more.  Yorinks’ story is silly, funny and gloriously inventive.  Children will be so surprised by the folding page that changes everything in the dimensions, making it OK to play with your books. 

A complete winner of a picture book.  Use this with unruly elementary groups to get them focused and listening.  It is great read aloud or all on your own.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.