Crazy Relief Teachers: Mr Jackpot and the Stash of Cash

Crazy Relief Teachers: Mr Jackpot and the Stash of Cash by Matt Porter (Celapene Press)
PB RRP $12.95
ISBN 9780987367723
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The third book in the Crazy Relief Teachers series is just as outlandish as all the previous ones. Mr Jackpot, the game show host of Stash of Cash, is the new relief teacher to Grade 6B at Outback Creek Primary. The class is convinced that he has come to splash cash around to the most deserving, as this is what he does on his show. They get excited, especially Steele who dreams of getting new goal posts to replace the old rusted ones that were removed long ago so they can practice footy and take part in the Outback Creek Cup.

But the class’s first impression of him is that ‘his brain has spun up bankrupt’, for the challenges he sets out are as corny as the jokes and games they become part of. But in the Crazy Relief Teacher tradition, the class joins in the fun amidst endless, clever game show puns.

But there are surprises. Mr Jackpot invites the grumpy and long suffering Mr Thompson, whose house borders with the school oval, and who is always complaining about the footy being kicked into his yard, to appear on This Was Your Life. As in every situation, there are always two sides to every story. The content of the show reveals unexpected facts about Mr Thompson and family, and brings about a surprising resolution to Grade 6B’s goal post dilemma.

There are lots of laughs to be had, and the impressive word play at which Matt Porter is a master, keeps the reader cackling as they speed through the story.

1001 Aussie Crack-Ups

1001 Aussie Crack-ups (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-319-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop



Q: Why was 6 scared?
A: Because 7 8 9 (7 ate 9).

Camp Quality, a children’s family cancer charity, believes laughter is the best medicine. It can exercise your mind and body in the same way as physical activities such as rowing and jogging. This book provides an excellent start to laughter. There are some old, tried and true jokes along with many new jokes I’d never heard before.

Q: How do you make a bandstand?
A: Hide all their chairs.

Divided into 20 fun sections such as Goofy Geography, this joke book is easy to navigate and the large type and funny pictures means that even the youngest readers can join in reading jokes aloud. Anyone can open the book at random and ask a funny riddle.

Gross-Out Groaners has:
Q: Why do gorillas have big noses?
A: Because they have big fingers.

Animal Wise Quacks asks:
Q: What do you call a story about a hairy little horse?
A: A ponytale.

Included are jokes donated by celebrities such as David Koch, Andy Griffiths, Luke Mangan and Rachel Finch. Wall E. (from Disney Pixar) supplied one of my favourites:
Q: What do you do if you see a spaceman?
A: You park in it man.

This book will tickle every funny bone (child and adult). It’s a great one for your collection, or better yet, leave it lying around the house waiting to be picked up at random.

Parting joke: There are two snowmen standing on a hill. One turns to the other and says, “Say, do you smell carrots?”

All royalties from this book go to Camp Quality. For information on this charily, visit their website www.campquality.org.au