Michael J. Rosen

You might think anchovies and fruitcake are pretty weird foods. But wait until you hear about durian, a huge, spiky fruit that smells like gym socks. Or salmiakki, the licorice with a salty, fishy taste. And don't forget kopi luwak, the coffee made from…poop! Discover all kinds of unusual foods from around the world!

"A fish that walks on land, a frog that makes its own sunscreen, and an insect that can become invisible? These are just a few examples of how Earth's creatures have evolved some outrageous features and tricks to ensure survival." --

"For thousands of years, philosophers and scientists have searched for the keys to human personality. Today, personality testing is a multibillion-dollar business. Many people take personality tests online just for fun. Whether silly or serious, personality testing can be an eye-opening way to better understand yourself, your family, and your friends. Just My Type introduces readers to the history of personality profiling, ranging from ancient Chinese...

"A family--a mother, a father, and their ten-year-old son--have come all the way from Florida to the Appalachian foothills to experience the wonder of a snowy weekend. At a nearby farm, a cattle dog is working, as she does every day, driving her forty head of cattle from pasture to corral and back again. And then, suddenly, a blizzard descends. The family is trapped outside, disoriented in the whiteout. They are panicked, exhausted, freezing, and...

Sniffing armpits. Scuba diving for golf balls. Building secret passageways. For some lucky people, these strange tasks are all in a day's work. Want to learn about the men and women who destroy old buildings or make movie sound effects? Discover a range of weird jobs from around the world!

A dog-shaped bed-and-breakfast. A house built like a shoe. Two towers that look like they're dancing. You're not dreaming. These are only a few of the crazy buildings found throughout the world. Learn about the many loopy landmarks that wild builders have put together.

A salvo of hilarity from that loose cannon of American humor that Mirth of a Nation editor Michael J. Rosen has culled from some 1200 pages of brilliantly original works by our best contemporary humorists. This action-packed compilation of highlights includes Bobbie Ann Mason's stint at the La Bamba hotline, David Rakoff's insights on families, Andy Borowitz's memoir of Emily Dickinson (basically, she was a drunken jerk), and Michael Feldman's helpful...

In this very special anthology of beautifully poetic short stories, thirty distinguished authors and illustrators explore the unique and varied meanings of home. Their touching words and magnificent art affirm the importance-and joy-of having a place to call one's own. Culturally diverse, multi-representative, and socially inclusive, this book is nourishment for the young soul. At a time when displacement and homelessness remain painfully present...

More seriously funny writing from American's most trusted humor anthology Witty, wise, and just plain wonderful, the inaugural volume of this biennial, Mirth of a Nation, ensured a place for the best contemporary humor writing in the country. And with this second treasury, Michael J. Rosen has once again assembled a triumphant salute to one of America's greatest assets: its sense of humor. More than five dozen acclaimed authors showcase their hilariously...

Young Benjamin Franklin wants to be a sailor, but his father won't hear of it. The other trades he tries-candle maker, joiner, boot closer, turner-bore him through and through. Curious and inventive, Ben prefers to read, swim, fly his kite, and fly his kite while swimming. But each time he fails to find a profession, he takes some important bit of knowledge with him. That tendency is exactly what leads him to become the astonishingly versatile genius...