Did you know that April is National Humor Month? It makes sense that this month kicks-off with April Fool’s Day (which I think can be fun but I’ve never been a fan of pranks that border on mean). Since we all know that laughter is the best medicine…check out these books that tickle the funny bone.
There’s a Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
This book is one of my all-time favorite books from childhood. Grover begs the reader on every page not to turn the page because he’s heard there is a monster at the end of book. It lends itself perfectly to an interactive read aloud. This book was actually somewhat revolutionary and led the way for modern day books like Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein and Chloe as well as Lion by Mac Barnett and Adam Rex that interacts with the reader. (Both of which are also hilarious and worth checking out!)
Max and Ruby by Rosemary Wells
You may be familiar with these characters from their popular TV show. If you haven’t checked out the books though, do so. Max and Ruby are bunnies who are also brother and sister. The books mostly deal with ordinary things but in a silly and relatable way. As parent’s of toddlers, my husband and I absolutely loved the book where Max is described as “dead-weightenizing” himself. Other funny duos are James Marshall’s George, Martha and Arnold Lobel’s from Frog and Toad.
17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill
In this book, a young girl narrates the things she is not allowed to do and why in a matter-of-fact tone. The illustrations and the completely crazy, inappropriate things that she has tried to do are what make the book hilarious. A companion book, 11 Experiments That Failed is also quite funny.
Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All by Peter Catalanotto
This may be one of those books that is funnier for adults than kids. But, it is one of me and my children’s favorite books so I’m including it! Question Boy is a superhero with a power deadly to all adults: the power to ask questions about anything. No one can withstand his powers until he meets his nemesis: a girl who knows the answers to everything. The author explains on the jacket copy that he was inspired by one of his own kids at different developmental stages.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
This book is told completely through letters that crayons in a box have written to their owner, poor Duncan. In each letter they explain their grievances and explain why they are running away. Blue needs a break from coloring oceans. Yellow and Orange refuse to speak because both think they are the true color of the sun.
Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett
This book will appeal to a very particular kind of humor and a very particular kind of kid. It’s slightly subversive and wickedly funny. A boy named Alex gets a book called Birthday Bunny as a gift and finds it too babyish and sweet. So he picks up a pencil and creates his own version…with ninjas and bombs and lots of explosions. The fun is that the illustrations show both the “original” illustrations and the pencil drawings done by Alex. My boys found this one absolutely hilarious (as did their mother).
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
When I think of funny kids books I think of almost anything by Beverly Cleary. Her Ramona books will always be my absolute favorite! Cleary perfectly captures childhood and manages to balance realism with humor and emotion. Judy Blume does the same thing with her books about Fudge.
