7 Picture Books That Will Make Kids Laugh Out Loud
There is nothing like a storytime filled with giggles. One of the fastest ways to gauge read-aloud engagement is if you hear laughter at storytime. Choosing funny books is a surefire way to get kids excited about reading, to be active listeners, and get invested in reading more. Books with funny pictures and silly language are enjoyable for the reader and the audience. There is a lot of truth to the adage “laughter is the best medicine.” A funny story makes us feel good. Laughter helps reduce tension and stress, release endorphins, and provide a great bonding experience for both the reader and listener.
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Blue Hat, Green Hat
Written by Sandra Boynton
Published by Boynton Bookworks
Ages: Baby+
Elephant, Bear, and Moose are all trying on different colored clothes. Turkey tries too, but does so in his way! Oops! This playful book introduces readers to concepts like colors and clothing in a way that will surely bring about giggles! This book has few words, so don’t be surprised if your child memorizes the book. Memorizing a favorite book is a common early literacy skill. When reading the book, point to the word ‘oops,’ and the child can say it. This is a great way to make a word-sound connection.
This book significantly adds to a school or public library’s 400s (language) section. With the simple language, this is an excellent resource for introducing color and clothing vocab to budding language learners.
Tags: Board Books, Animal Humor
That Is Not A Good Idea!
Written by Mo Willems
Published by Balzer + Bray
Ages 3+
A hungry Fox, out for a walk, meets a goose and extends a dinner invitation. Will dinner go as planned? This clever book is full of surprises. If you read this book aloud, it is fun to pause and ask, “is this a good idea?”
This book is illustrated to be reminiscent of an old-timey- silent movie–the words are arranged to look like silent movie cards. I can almost hear the clicking of the projector in my mind!
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
By Mo Willems
Published by Balzer + Bray
Ages 3+
We all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears; well, what if instead of bears, Goldilocks wanders into the home of DINOSAURS?! This super funny, unpredictable retelling of the classic fairy tale will amuse kids and adults and leave you in the mood for chocolate pudding.
This book appeals to multiple generations, recounting a traditional tale and adding a surprising, witty twist.
Extension activity: If you were to write a Goldilocks story, what parts of the original story would you change to make it your own? Would it be Golidlocks and the Three Martians? Or, perhaps, Goldilocks and the three sharks? How can you take a classic story (like a fairytale) and change it to make it your own? Please share your creation with me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian, I would love to read it!
Tags: Fractured Fairy Tale, Dinosaurs, Goldilocks
Pete’s A Pizza
by William Steig
Published by HarperFestival
Ages 2+
We have all had days when we have been disappointed when rain cancels our plans. Pete is no different. Pete is in a bad mood when it rains and he can’t go out to play with his friends. To cheer him up, his parents decide to….make him into a pizza? From the author of Shrek, William Steig, this silly playful book reminds us to make the best with what we’ve got.
Tags: Disappointment, Family Time, Rain, Positive outlook
Mother Bruce
by Ryan Higgins
Published by Disney-Hyperion
Ages 3+
Bruce the Bear is a grump. He is a foodie and likes things to be a certain way. His way. One day he is in for a huge surprise when he goes to the market to buy eggs for his omelet….when the eggs suddenly hatch, a gaggle of goslings thinks that BRUCE is their MOTHER! Uh oh! How will Bruce react?
This book is the first in a series and will be pleasing to both kids and grown-ups!
Tags: Animals, Foodie, Bears, Birds
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Published by HarperCollins
Ages 7+
This classic, whimsical collection of poetry and drawings will surely bring giggles. The ink drawings are full of clever details that are sometimes integrated into the poems themselves, such as in the concrete poem, “Running Giraffe” where the words stretch to look like a giraffe’s neck. Though many poems are silly with unexpected verses and made-up words (I dare you not to laugh!), others, such as “Magic” are heartwarming and inspirational.
These fun poems can be read together or selected individually to align with a storytime theme.
Tags: Humor, Poetry, ink drawings
Truck Full of Ducks
by Ross Burach
Published by Scholastic
Ages 3+
This is a silly story about Bernie’s truck service that delivers ducks. Hilarity ensues when one of the ducks in the truck EATS the directions to their destination. On their journey, the ducks meet lots of people waiting on deliveries, will the ducks find where they are supposed to go? Truck Full of Ducks is full of repetitive words and comical illustrations, making this book a winner for any storytime. The pictures are full of details that will arouse some laughs (duck walking out of the bathroom with toilet paper on his webbed foot).
Great segue for bathtime!
Note: be sure to read the captions on the pictures for extra funny details that are outstanding and full of humor, from the captions on the drawings to the expressive facial features.
Tags: Humor, Rhymes, Repetitive Language, Animal Humor
Happy reading!
XO, Sheryl
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