22 Funny Children's Books to Read Aloud
These favorite funny children's books to read aloud are instant classics with kids...and with the adults who read them over and over (and over) again.
Silly humor and funny jokes will encourage kids to read along, turn the pages, and interact with books in new and fun ways.
Parents say these are the best funny books for kids, perfect for reading to a classroom, birthday gift giving, and adding some giggles to your bedtime story routine. What are your family's favorite funny read alouds? Suggest them below, and be sure to browse our favorite chapter books to read aloud with kids, too!
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The Monster at the End of This Book
Age 3-7
Vanessa M.: The Monster at the End of This Book (starring lovable, furry Grover) is a classic, funny book that will have your kids giggling and asking to read again. Grover learns that there is a monster at the end of the book, and is so afraid he begs readers NOT TO TURN THE PAGE! Of course, kids love defying Grover's instructions and the silly, surprise ending never gets old.
There Is a Bird on Your Head!
Age 2-6
Vanessa M.: The Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems became an instant classic in our house. It is filled with funny children's books to read aloud, but There is a Bird on Your Head is by far the fan favorite amongst my kids! The premise is silly, the illustrations are charming, and the dialogue is funny enough to make grown-ups crack up.
The Book With No Pictures
Age 5-8
Kelly R: Get ready to say some crazy things, as B.J. Novak capitalizes on the kid dogma that nothing is funnier than a grown-up acting silly. An instant classic, and a guaranteed hit next time you need to read a book to your kid's class.
The Day the Crayons Quit
Age 3-7
Kelly R: Duncan's crayons are tired of being typecast and they're not going to stand for it anymore. Their airing of grievances (printed in crayon, naturally) is a riot, and the illustrations are engaging and familiar for young kids.
Wacky Wednesday
Age 3-7
Shila: This is a funny book for kids where a boy wakes up one Wednesday morning to all things around him gone bizarre! Every page has more & more wacky finds to discover within the illustrations. This is a classic Dr. Seuss Beginner Book perfect for young & emerging readers.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Age 2-6
Kelly R: Mo Willems has a way of packing a lot of meaning, expression, and heart into seemingly simple stories and illustrations, and it all began with a pigeon. When pigeon doesn't get his way, he has a temper tantrum that would put even the spunkiest preschooler to shame.
Nibbles The Book Monster
Tim Ponisciak: You'll be laughing out loud at this book! Nibbles is a monster who eats his way through classic stories. The best part about this book is the book itself has bite marks, pieces missing, and books within the book so your kids will be wondering what Nibbles is going to be up to next!
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Age 3-5
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: A Caldecott Honor masterpiece about Farmer Brown's cows who happen to own a typewriter. They type a letter asking for electric blankets. When the Farmer refuses, they declare no milk. The hens get in on the action with the same request and the same result, declaring no eggs. Duck, serving as mediator, brings a note for a truce. Each party gets their request, but once Duck gets a hold of the typewriter, he makes his own demands. This hilarious gem is witty, clever and fun for all.
A Pig, a Fox, and Stinky Socks
Erynn: You might expect beginning reader books to be dull, but Jonathan Fenske adds plenty of laughs in his books about Pig and Fox. The setup is perfect and the humor is more subtle - kids have to pay attention to the images to see exactly what's so hilarious.
Bad Kitty
Age 4-8
Vanessa M.: Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty is both naughty and adorable! She used to be a good kitty, but when her owners run out of her favorite foods, she decides to be a bad kitty. Kids get a laugh over kitty's naughty and nice antics, and the outrageous alphabetized lists of foods she loves and hates. This book is so silly, kids don't even realize they are reviewing the alphabet 4 times!
Dragons Love Tacos
Age 3-7
Tim Ponisciak: This book is simple, but hilarious. Adam Rubin tells the not-so-true story around dragons' love for this dinnertime favorite, but also shares how much dragons do not like spicy salsa!
Nanette's Baguette
Age 3-6
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Nanette's Baguette is the hilarious tongue twisting rhyming book by Mo Willems, rock star author of so many funny books for kids. It tells the story of young Nanette who has to pick up a baguette from the bakery. She sees friends along the way, but does not forget about the baguette. After she picks it up, she cannot resist eating it on the way home, and then "Nanette is beset with regret." This is a read aloud, laugh out loud book to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Frog on a Log?
Age 3-5
Jennie Utsinger: In this playful book by Kes Gray, a knowledgeable cat informs a frog that frogs must sit on logs. Embark on a rhyming adventure as the frog continues to wonder what various other animals must sit on. From puffins to apes, the cat has an answer to everything. Watch out for the poor frog when he finally asks what dogs sit on!
Bob, Not Bob!
Age 4-8
Kelly R: There's no way you're getting out of doing the voices for this funny favorite, which is "to be read as though you have the worst cold ever." Poor Little Louie is sick, and really wants his mom! But every time he calls for her, his speech is so muddled by his head cold that the dog comes running instead. Everyone will get a kick out of trying out Little Louie's stuffy supplication in this story that MUST be read aloud.
The Big Bed
Age 4-6
Kelly R: A little kid makes her case for why dad should be the odd man out of the big bed in this silly book by Bunmi Laditan of The Honest Toddler blog. No matter how you feel about co-sleeping, this has laugh-out-loud moments for kids AND parents.
Primary photo: Jose Ibarra on Unsplash
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