April Fools' Day

March 29, 2012

As I was searching for books to use in the Genre Display for April (Humorous Fiction), I found myself thinking why, where, and when did April Fool’s Day come about, and what are some fun ways we observe the day today. So I did a little online research. According to news.nationalgeographic.com, "Experts say the origins of April Fools' Day are shrouded in mystery. The most popular theory is that France changed its calendar in the 1500s so that the New Year would begin in January to match the Roman calendar instead of beginning at the start of spring, in late March or early April. However, word of the change traveled slowly, and many people in rural areas continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring. These country dwellers became known as April fools, so the story goes." Infoplease.com adds, "Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe." Interesting information, though I do have to ask (since we ARE talking April Fool's Day after all) fact or fiction? It really doesn’t matter; it’s all in FUN anyway. 

Looking for fun things to prank your family or friends this April 1st?  It’s as simple as "your shoe’s untied" or "your zipper’s down," to making up a more elaborate prank like scraping the cream out of a sandwich cookie and replacing it with toothpaste, or placing one of those clear carpet runners upside down in the hallway or just inside the back door (you know the ones I’m referring to….they have those sharp nubbies on the underside to grab into the carpet and keep it from moving around) and then giving a panic-stricken holler for help. Of course, this would only work if the person answering your call is barefoot; otherwise you better think quickly as to why you need immediate help. Some cute ways to have fun with your family are to make some unique food items like Chicken Pot Pie (it looks like an individual pot pie, but it’s made with vanilla pudding, starburst and jolly rancher candies, plus a few other sweet ingredients) or Fauxberry Pie! According to Family Fun Magazine, "you’ve never had strawberry pie like this." It resembles a berry pie but is really a Shepherd’s Pie in disguise! You can find this recipe, along with several others at familyfun.go.com.  

For a little office "pranking," this may be the easiest and most unsettling for your co-workers: they get to their office and find a note sitting on the chair or desk.  All it says, in large red lettering, is "April Fools’!" Oh, to be the proverbial "fly on the wall" as they spend the day trying to figure out what has been moved or tampered with, what is going to "jump out at them" when they open a drawer, door or file cabinet, or what mess will they find in the break room. Seriously, wouldn’t you be a little nervous to find that note on your desk?

After you’ve had fun on April 1st with all your April Fool's Day antics, be sure to browse the Humorous Fiction display and check out some good books to keep your funny-bone tickled through-out the month.

Try these:

• Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
• Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
• Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
• I Can’t Make You Love Me, But I Can Make You Leave by Dixie Cash
• I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
• Waking Up In Dixie by Haywood Smith
• Who Shot the Water Buffalo by Ken Babbs

Susan D.
Lone Jack Branch