Arizona girl's octopus joke has legs, gets published

PHOENIX — An Arizona 5-year-old's quip was chosen for publication in a national joke book, but a foundation that helps kids will have the last laugh.

UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation selected Chloe Barnes' joke — "How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? Ten-tickles!" — from more than 1,200 submissions. Its Little Book Big Laughs Joke Book came out April 1 and is available on Amazon.

Members of the Minneapolis-based foundation reviewed the submissions and picked ones the believed were the funniest and most appropriate for children, said Leslie Sonnenklar of Riester public relations here.

Chloe's mom, Angela Barnes, sent in one of her daughter's jokes after seeing a request for submissions on the foundation's website.

"I thought it would be a better way to help out, provide a smile while promoting a good cause," Barnes said.

The book includes more than 600 jokes, but Chloe's is one of only three featured on the Amazon.com listing.

"She's quite the character," Barnes said. "She always tells a lot of jokes when we're at home. I would say that this one is the funniest and the most original."

The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation helps kids in all 50 states who need financial assistance to cover medical treatment. The nonprofit provides grants of up to $5,000 for costs associated with medical services and equipment, Sonnenklar said.