Adults can remember what it was like to return to school after a long summer vacation. It wasn't necessarily a smooth, stress-free ride. The same is true for children today.

Some academic subjects are met with enthusiasm. Others … not so much.

Then there are different issues to deal with. The dynamics of friendship; old friends, new friends, and old friends that for some reason don't want to be friends any more. The cute boy or cute girl; do they notice me? Bullies, gossip, who is wearing what and am I cool? The list goes on and on.

Take a little of the daily stress out of a child's life by reading some funny books, such as those reviewed below.

Ask your librarian or bookseller to help you find others. After all, there is great truth in the old saying that laughter is the best medicine.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.

"Barry, Boyhound" by Andy Spearman, Alfred A. Knopf, 221 pages; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.This fresh and very funny novel is peppered with gross-out humor, hilarious photos and images, and bizarre twists and turns as Barry, once a normal boy, turns into a dog.When this off-the-wall incident occurs, Barry still looks human, but he no longer acts human. He develops an acute sense of smell (which sometimes freaks him out), eats disgusting things like a "big fat slimy juicy noodley brown worm" (and his mother sees him doing it), and is attacked by a group of psycho squirrels who steal his squashed peanut butter sandwich.Could it get any worse?Yes, and it does.And what has caused Barry the boy to become Barry, Boyhound? Would you believe two fleas?A five-star selection loaded for bear, older children will devour this crazy and awesome book.

<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy Kline<B>Choices this week: "Big Max"</B> by Kin Platt; <B>"Utterly Me, Clarice Bean"</B> by Lauren Child; <B>"Pendragon"</B> series by D.J. MacHale

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates"</B> by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Manders, Candlewick, 2009, 34 pages, $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 to 8; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies were a nutty bunch of pirates. They lived on an island and spent most of their time digging for treasure, bowling with coconuts, and shooting one another out of the cannons on their ship, Salty Carrot II.Henry, on the other hand, was more interested in reading and writing his book than fiddling the day away. And so, when Henry came upon a mysterious, threatening message in a bottle, Henry was determined to gather information for survival and write it down.Henry's father, Barnacle Black Ear, thought Henry was wasting his time with his reading and writing. But when Henry sees a hot-air balloon filled with crazed chicken pirates heading directly for Salty Carrot II and the crew, Henry springs into action!Filled with humor and a subtle message about the value of reading, writing, and preparedness, this zany book will have children laughing on every page.<B>"Big Bear Hug"</B> written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland, Kids Can Press, 2009, 32 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.There once lived a bear so full of love and happiness that he hugged every living thing in the forest. He hugged animals large and small (much to their surprise and alarm!), and he especially loved to hug trees.One day the bear saw a man walking into the forest with an ax. Bear followed the man until at last, the man stood before the tallest, oldest and most beautiful tree. The man looked at the tree for a long time, and so did the bear. Then, to the bear's horror, the man began to chop down the tree.The bear was very angry with the man, and grappled with what action he should take to stop the man. Finally, the bear decided to do what he did best.Charmingly funny and boasting gentle messages of love, kindness and ecology, "Big Bear Hug" is certain to cause smiles all around.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.