Q. Why did you start collecting funny stories?
A. I've been a newspaper columnist since 1979. In 1987 I thought I'd try putting in a few of the funny things my kids had said and ask readers to share their stories. The response was great!

Q. Why do we enjoy children's humor so much? What sets children's humor apart from other kinds of humor?
A. I define children's humor by using the letters of the word child:

C - creative
H - honest
I - innocent
L - logical
D - delightful

Those five words are what set children's humor apart from other kinds of humor. For example, a little girl looked up at her great-great grandmother and said, "Nana, your skin doesn't fit!"

That comment shows creativity (what a wonderful way to describe wrinkles), honesty (she said exactly what was on her mind), innocence (she didn't know about wrinkles), logic (if your skin is loose it must be because it doesn't fit) and discovery and delight (she was discovering one of the facts about aging). No adult could or would ever say "Nana, your skin doesn't fit."

Q. What is your favorite chapter in each book?
A. I think my favorite chapter in each of my books is the first one called "Kids and their Creator." Children's faith is simple and steadfast and that comes through in a lot of their comments.

Q. Why do you encourage parents to "savor and save" children's humor?
A. Every time I do a book signing or talk with someone on the radio people tell me, "I wish I would have saved the funny things my children (or grandchildren) said." Everyone thinks they will remember the stories, but you won't unless you write them down. That's why I provide blank pages at the end of all of my books.

Q. How does humor keep us healthy?
A. The Book of Proverbs in the Bible says a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Now doctors are starting to prove it. A roaring laugh works like aerobic exercise (they call it inner jogging!) increasing the heart rate, improving the oxygen supply to the muscles and creating an overall sense of well-being.

Some speculate that laughter may boost immune responses. Some researchers have found it can help us gain control over pain and promote healing. A growing number of hospitals are adding humor libraries with old TV comedies and light reading material available for patients.

The average adult laughs 15 times a day; the average child laughs 10 or 20 times as often. So I guess that's what they mean by being young at heart - looking at the light side, or the bright side, of life!

Q. Why are the pictures in the books an example of the miracle of organ and tissue donation?
A. The illustrator of the books, Debbie Rittenhouse, a pastor's wife, mother of four and good friend of mine, has had corneal transplants in both eyes. Without them she would be blind. We urge people who would like to be organ donors to tell their family members, because just signing a donor card is not enough.

Q. What are the goals of the Funny Kids Project?
A. The No. 1 goal is to brighten people's lives with the stories in our columns and books! Our other goals are to encourage parents, grandparents, teachers and child care providers to write down the funny things their kids say. They will cherish those stories in future years.

We also want to encourage people to talk to their families about organ and tissue donation. We have a free traveling library display featuring pictures from the books. Other organizations that would like to use the free display to publicize organ and tissue donation are welcome to use it, too.

Q. How can people submit stories for the weekly column and books?
A. E-mail me at graceh@kpcnews.net or call me at 219-347-0738.

Q. How can people find your books?
A. They are in many libraries and bookstores. If your favorite library doesn't have them, ask your librarian to get them. If you want to purchase the books for your home or as a gift for a special friend, relative or teacher, use your local bookstore. For autographed books at a special Internet price order through this web page. (If you wish to use a credit card, you can purchase "The Funny Things Kids Say" books through Amazon.com.)