Make them laugh and they will come back for more. Books that make children burst into serious laughing are a great way to encourage them to read.
Laughing is a great way to practice Lateral Thinking. Understanding of jokes, rhymes and puns rely on a child making new connections. A child walks on one cloud and then the new perspective or punch line forces her to change the direction and jump to a new cloud. And this jumping and great leaps tickle the stomach muscles and lures a child to burst into giggles. What a great way to celebrate summer by reading to funny picture books. Books that has pictures that breaks the “normal” pattern makes a child jump to a new cloud and burst out in laughter.
Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
A great book to make not only young children smile but also put a smile on your own face. This books relies on the idea to break the normal pattern between the picture and the sounds. The animals; facial expressions makes it difficult to resist giggling. Bright colours make the book a little treat for babies as well as older children who will love the book even more when they understand the humor.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
This book gives children a hilarious insight into the working conditions on a farm. A wonderful message of fairness and negotiation. This book is about ways to solve problems. The calm and understated text mixed with the expressive illustrations makes this book stand out.
Farmer Brown has a problem.
His cows like to type.
All day long he hears “Click, clack, MOO.
Click, clack, MOO.
Clickety, clack, MOO.
But Farmer Brown’s problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes….
First they demand better working conditions, then they stage a strike.
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman
A hilarious counting book that counts all the horrible things the narrator’s sister ate from one hare to ten peas. Rhyming cumulative text describes what the little sister eats and eats! And she does not hesitate to gobble down bats or shrews. Learning to count has never been more fun!
Shark vs Train by Tom Lichtenheld
This is a story about imagination and competition. Two kids compare the toys in the toy box, and the box opens up a world of unlimited possibilities. Funny and absurd match ups. A perfect introduction to engage children in some hilarious imaginary playing.
The Shark tells Train things like, “I’m going to CHOO-CHOO you up and spit you out,” and Train says, “HA! I’m going to FIN-ISH you, mackerel-breath”.
More Funny and Hilarious Books
This Is Not My Hat By Jon Klassen
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs Retold by Mo Willems
Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin
