Ten funny books for kids
By Naomi Wood
One of the best way to get kids reading (especially the reluctant ones!) is to get them hooked on funny, laugh-out-loud books. Here are my top recommendations to get your kids giggling and guffawing all over the place.
For Younger Readers:
Not Now Bernard, David McKee
Bernard's parents are so busy doing their own thing that they don't notice the monster in the garden, nor do they notice when the monster eats Bernard. In fact, the monster can eat Bernard's dinner, break his toys, and even say But I'm a monster! without being noticed! When will his parents pay him attention?
Cat’s Ahoy! Peter Bently, Jim Field
When Alfonso the cat hears there's a boat coming into harbour carrying its largest ever catch, he hatches a plan. It's brave! It's bold! And it involves a ghost pirate ship, some rather gullible fishermen, and cats – LOTS of cats. Winner of the Road Dahl Funny Prize 2011.
The Book with a Hole, Herve Tullet
Herve Tullet has blasted a hole through the middle of this book! Sometimes the Hole is an eye the reader can look through, sometimes it is a mouth and the reader's fingers make the teeth! Packed full of Tullet's zany drawings and inventive ideas, this book is bound to enchant children of all ages.
The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Oliver Jeffers
The mouth-watering new book from acclaimed author-illustrator, Oliver Jeffers. Henry loves books! but not like you and me. He loves to EAT books! And better still, he realises that the more books he eats, the smarter he gets. But a book-eating diet isn't the healthiest of habits, as Henry soon finds out!
Bedtime for Monster, Ed Vere
What if a monster were looking for a bedtime snack? And what if that snack just happened to be you? Gulp! He's getting closer and closer... and his tummy is rumbling really loudly. But all this monster actually wants is a lovely monster-sized goodnight kiss. Night, night!
For Older Readers:
The Twits, Roald Dahl
The Twits are a couple that nobody would like to know. They are hairy, dirty, smelly and generally unpleasant. Mr and Mrs Twit spend their days inventing new ways to be nasty to each other. Each time Mrs Twit does something bad to Mr Twit, he just invents something worse to do to her…
You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum!, Andy Stanton
Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. He's absolutely grimsters. But this book is not just about him. There is also a little girl called Polly, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog, who must be saved from terrible, terrible evil. Watch Sanjeev Bhaskar narrate this hilarious tale.
Billionaire Boy, David Walliams
Joe has a lot of reasons to be happy. About a billion of them, in fact. You see, Joe's rich. Really, really rich. Joe's got his own bowling alley, his own cinema, even his own butler who is also an orangutan. He's the wealthiest twelve-year-old in the land. Yes, Joe has absolutely everything he could possibly want. If there’s just one thing he really needs: a friend…
Danny Baker Record Breaker 6: The World's Windiest Baby, Steve Hartley
Like many young boys, Danny dreams of making it into the record books. In this book, Danny will attempt to break the following records. Drumroll, please ...Windiest baby! Biggest underpant-hat! Most infectious yawn! Tallest pizza tower! Read Steve Hartley’s hilarious short-story, ‘You Should Have Listened to Grandad’, exclusive to the Kids’ Book Club here.
How Einstein’s Underpants Saved the World, Anthony McGowan
When crazy Uncle Otto warns of imminent invasion from outer space, his maths geek nephew Alexander takes on the task of saving the world. But with only a pack of cards, some toy ray-guns and a pair of old pants for help, can they do it? Find out in this nail-bitingly scary but hilarious story by a prize-winning author. Read Anthony Mcgowan’s exclusive short-story ‘The Banana of Doom’ and watch Einstein’s Underpants here.
What are the books that had your kids (and you!) in stitches? Let us know in the comment box below!