Pranklopedia: The Funniest, Grossest, Craziest, Not-Mean Pranks on the Planet!

Winterbottom, a former editor-in-chief at Nickelodeon magazine, gathers 72 good-natured pranks that shouldn’t cause any long-term rifts, but will still have the desired effect. Organized alphabetically, the pranks each open with a comic from Allen, followed by clear written instructions; profiles of famous pranksters like Benjamin Franklin and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as great moments in prankdom, are interspersed. There’s a wealth of clever mischief within, from a surefire way to win arm-wrestling contests (hide some mushy banana in your palm) to more advanced tricks, like screen-saver sabotage or creating fake squirting blisters. Ages 8–12. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Mar.)