Read Our Sillies Out! Our Favorite Funny Books

August 06, 2009

by Susan Choi

Isn't hearing your children laugh the most exquisite sound? There is no polite hand covering mouth to hide the face that is contorted by laughter. It is so genuine and pure. I love it. Now that my kids are getting older, it is amazing to see them understand humor that is more cerebral. Even though a good tickle can still get them to go to pieces, a funny story can have the same effect. Here are some new and old favorites in silly kids' books that are guaranteed to get the giggles going!

Edwina, the Dinosaur who Didn't Know She was Extinct by Mo Willems -- The author is a former Sesame Street script writer and author of the Pigeon series. Edwina is one of my kids' favorite books when we want a good laugh. The antagonist of the books is a boy named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. The illustrations are hilarious and when read with dramatic flair, it gets the kids in stitches. So this is one of Mo Willems' books that didn't actually win an award. So what? It elicits silliness and we love it.

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boyton -- This is my kids' favorite Sandra Boyton book. It may not be the most famous but even from a young age, it made my kids laugh. It also helps to teach colors and articles of clothing. Maybe it is because they love the words "Oops!" when they're toddlers, or maybe it is because the turkey is wearing pants on his head. I don't know. But my daughters loved it when they were little, and now my one year old son loves it and makes me read it to him everyday.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett and Ron Barrett -- This book was new when I was a kid. But now it is a classic and a new 3D movie is based on this silly tale. One thing I love about this book is that it will grow with your child--both in humor and readability. What makes this book truly funny is the illustrations which is full of subtle humor that your kid will understand better as he gets older.

Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann -- We recently received this book as a gift and all my kids love it. I love the fact that the story is told through the illustrations. So even though I am "reading" this book to my kids, for the most part, I'm silent and my kids are "reading" it through the pictures and giggling as I flip the pages.

Amelia Bedelia -- I loved my Amelia Bedelia books as a kid. Mostly because I remember not fully understanding the humor but I still found it funny. Growing up in an immigrant home, my parents didn't use American idioms. But it stuck with me and I learned a lot. I read an Amelia Bedelia book to my oldest daughter a long while back and it was the same thing. I had to explain everything to her. But she loved it and wanted to read it over and over again. The funniest thing was months later, she would bring up some of the jokes and laugh. Even her name warrants a smile!

What are your children's favorite funny books? Feel free to share!

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