A Book Fairy List

Funny Books for the Kid Who Says Reading Is Boring

“Reading is boring” almost always means “I haven't laughed at a book yet.” So we fix that first. These get the giggle — and the giggle is the gateway. Drop a 🙋 if your kid has a book that makes them laugh every single time.

These are the books featured in this post — tap any cover to find it on Amazon.

Cover of The Bad Guys

The Bad Guys

by Aaron Blabey

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! "I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog ManThis New York Times bestselling illustrated series is perfect for fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants.They sound like bad guys, they look like bad guys . . . and they even smell like bad guys. But Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark are about to change all of that...Mr. Wolf has a daring plan for the Bad Guys' first good mission. They are going to break two hundred dogs out of the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. Will Operation Dog Pound go smoothly? Will the Bad Guys become the Good Guys? And will Mr. Snake please stop swallowing Mr. Piranha?!

Cover of The Book with No Pictures

The Book with No Pictures

by B. J. Novak

A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian—a perfect gift for any special occasion! You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . . BLORK. Or BLUURF. Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY. Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)

Cover of Esio Trot

Esio Trot

by Roald Dahl

Shy Mr. Hoppy devises a plan to win the heart of his true love by teaching her a spell to make her tortoise grow bigger.

Cover of Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

by Louis Sachar

Presents humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.

Cover of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series

by Betty MacDonald

The incomparable Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle loves children good or bad and never scolds but has positive cures for Answer-Backers, Never-Want-to-Go-to-Bedders, and other boys and girls with strange habits. ‘[Now] in paperback . . . for a new generation of children to enjoy.' 'San Francisco Examiner Chronicle. Meet Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! She's the kind of grown-up you would like to have for a friend-and all her friends are children. She is a little lady with brown sparkly eyes. She lives in an upside-down house, with a kitchen that is always full of freshly baked cookies. Her husband was a pirate, and she likes to have her friends dig in the back yard for the pirate treasure he buried there. Best of all, she knows everything there is to know about children. When a distraught parent calls her because Mary has turned into an Answer-Backer or Dick has become Selfish or Allen has decided to be a Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Taker, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has the answer. And her solutions always work, with plenty of laughs along the way. So join the crowd at Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's house-and enjoy the comical, common-sense cures that have won her so many friends.

Cover of Oi Frog series

Oi Frog series

by Kes Gray

The laughter never ends with Oi Frog and Friends! Jam-packed with the silliest of animals, this bestselling rhyming story will have the youngest of readers in fits of laughter. Over 1 million copies sold! Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gophers sit on sofas. But Frog does not want to sit on a log. Jam-packed with animals and silliness, this original rhyming story is guaranteed to get children giggling! 'An absolute treat.' Daily Mail 'Hilarious.' Guardian 'The most outstanding children's book.' Jo Wiley, BBC Radio 2 Can't get enough? Look out for: Oi Dog, Oi Cat, Oi Duck-billed Platypus, Oi Puppies Oi Frog and Friends is a top ten bestselling series. Loved by children and parents, the books have won numerous awards, including the Laugh Out Loud Picture Book Award, and been shortlisted for many more!

Cover of King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

by Audrey Wood

A king who won't get out of the bathtub — kids lose it every time

Cover of The Giant Jumperee

The Giant Jumperee

by Julia Donaldson

The punchline lands every single time — Julia Donaldson at her best

Cover of The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods

The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods

by Mikey Please

Magical woodland absurdity — the kind of funny that sneaks up on you

Cover of A Potion, a Powder, and a Little Bit of Magic

A Potion, a Powder, and a Little Bit of Magic

by Philip C. Stead

A quiet, magical chapter book from the Steads about a child who visits an old woman who sells small magics. An illustrated early chapter book, longer than their picture books, with Erin Stead's signature soft woodblock-and-pencil illustrations.

Cover of Frindle

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

One kid's harmless prank turns into a whole new word — pure delight

Cover of Goodnight Everyone

Goodnight Everyone

by Chris Haughton

Chris Haughton, name-only per project rules — bedtime chaos, animal-style

Cover of A Bit Lost

A Bit Lost

by Chris Haughton

Chris Haughton, name-only per project rules — a bear looking for his mom in all the wrong places

Cover of Oh No, George!

Oh No, George!

by Chris Haughton

Chris Haughton, name-only per project rules — a hungry dog and a very bad decision

Cover of Shh, We Have a Plan!

Shh, We Have a Plan!

by Chris Haughton

From the creator of Little Owl Lost and Oh No, George! comes a funny, strikingly illustrated story of best-laid plans — and the secret to attracting the birdie. Four friends creep through the woods, and what do they spot? An exquisite bird high in a tree! “Hello birdie,” waves one. “Shh! We have a plan,” hush the others. They stealthily make their advance, nets in the air. Ready one, ready two, ready three, and go! But as one comically foiled plan follows another, it soon becomes clear that their quiet, observant companion, hand outstretched, has a far better idea. Award-winning author-illustrator Chris Haughton is back with another simple, satisfying story whose visual humor plays out in boldly graphic, vibrantly colorful illustrations.

Cover of A Giraffe and a Half

A Giraffe and a Half

by Shel Silverstein

From Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree, comes a riotous rhyming picture book about a boy and his giraffe! Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will surely leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over fifty years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style. If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half, you would have a giraffe and a half. But what happens if you glue a rose to the tip of his nose? Or if you used a chair to comb his hair? Join this giraffe on a rollicking and ridiculous journey that will charm readers from beginning to end. And don't miss Runny Babbit Returns, the new book from Shel Silverstein!

Cover of Imogene's Antlers

Imogene's Antlers

by David Small

This whimsical story of a little girl who wakes one morning to discover she has grown antlers has delighted children since it was first published 15 years ago. The perfect Christmas present for any kid looking forward to a visit from Santa's reindeer--or any reader looking for some year-long fun! The family doctor, the school principal, and even Imogene's know-it-all brother, Norman, fail to resolve her dilemma. Imogene, the cook, and the kitchen maid, however, make the best of things, finding unusual uses for Imogene's new horns. Meanwhile, the problem appears to be solved when Imogene awakes the next morning antler-free.But the family (and the reader) are in for a surprise when Imogene comes down to breakfast. . . .

As an Amazon Associate, XO Your Book Fairy earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links may also earn a commission.