How many kids’ books have made you laugh? I love the silly and straightforward humor in many children’s books. Reading funny books and laughing together is a great way to connect with kids. Here are some of favorites:
Picture Books:
Hoopla
Pete the Cat by James Dean (series)
Pete the Cat has such a rosy outlook on the world that any problem or new experience is easily turned into a laugh. This series can be read in any order and Cavecat Pete is a fun book to start with.
Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki
While dragons may not be the most traditional of pets, the boy in this book explains how his dragon, Sparky, would be the perfect pet and pal.
What Is Chasing Duck? by Jan Thomas
What is chasing Duck? Is it something wild and hairy? Does it have big teeth? Who will help protect Duck?
Overdrive/Libby
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak 
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious, but in this book everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say BLORK. Or BLUURF. This silly book will show kids that not all books with no pictures are boring!
Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein
Little Red Chicken is back and it’s homework time! Little Red Chicken explains to Dad that every story has an “elephant of surprise.” Dad asks if Chicken means “element of surprise” but Little Red Chicken manages to find elephants of surprise in every story they read.
Sophie’s Squashby Pat Zietlow Miller
On a trip to the farmers’ market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes in Bernice but she won’t give up on their friendship.
Chapter books
Hoopla
Diary of a Wimpy Kidby Jeff Kinney (series)
It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley is in middle school. Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.
Wayside Schoolby Louis Sachar (series)
Accidentally built sideways and standing thirty stories high (the builder said he was very sorry for the mistake), Wayside School has some of the wackiest classes in town, especially on the thirtieth floor. That’s where you’ll meet Bebe, the fastest draw in art class; John, who only reads upside down; Myron, the best class president, ever; and Sammy, the new kid-he’s a real rat.
My Weird School (series) by Dan Gutman
In the first My Weird School book ever, second-grade teacher Miss Daisy is in over her head. She doesn’t even know how to add or subtract! But the kids have other things on their minds. Principal Klutz has promised that if they read a million pages in books, they can turn the school into a video-game arcade for one whole night!
Overdrive/Libby
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin?
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Murderers, mob bosses, and convicts . . . these guys are not your average neighbors. Unless you live on Alcatraz. It’s 1935 and 12-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family have just moved to the infamous island and now Moose has to try to fit in at his new school, avoid getting caught up in one of the warden’s daughter’s countless plots, and keep an eye on his sister Natalie, who’s not like other kids.
The Inquisitor’s Tale Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. They are accompanied by Jeanne’s loyal greyhound, Gwenforte, recently brought back from the dead.
Children’s Comics
Hoopla
Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce (series)
Nate Wright is the king of detention, Cheez Doodle connoisseur, and he’s not having the best of luck, in fact; he’s not having ANY luck. But with a little boost thanks to Chad’s lucky foot, suddenly good luck is everywhere Nate turns! Nate’s in the zone! But how long will it last?
Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson (series)
It all started when Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond and accidentally hit a unicorn in the face. This led to Phoebe being granted one wish, and she used it to make the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, her obligational best friend.
Overdrive
Narwhal (series) by Ben Clanton
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
Comics Squad(series) by Jennifer Holm
This graphic-novel shorts anthology has original contributions from popular authors like Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Dav Pilkey, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier, Dave Roman, Ursula Vernon, Eric Wight, Gene Luen Yang.
-Anna, Head of Youth Services