You made it! You ventured out to your local library with the kids. Now what are you going to check out? I sometimes find this overwhelming, as it’s impossible to truly browse the stacks while managing three little kids. I like to have an author or two in mind. This helps me get at least a few books that aren’t random ones my kids picked without much literary value. It’s great to get the kids interested in reading with familiar movie character books, and I think the “reader” books are awesome for teaching them to read. In my opinion, though, they aren’t enough to inspire a love of reading in children. I like to find stories that make them laugh and learn.
Drew Daywalt
This author hasn’t created a large library yet, but what he’s done so far has been great! We have The Day the Crayons Quit, and let me tell you this book is looooooong but it’s so funny that I will still read it at bedtime (when I’d rather be short and sweet.) The follow up The Day the Crayons Came Home is equally as funny and the messages of acceptance and diversity are lovely. I actually might even like the second one better!
Helen Lester
My heart just adores these stories. They are so clever and funny. Many of her books are illustrated by Lynn Munsinger and the pictures are comical as well. I also enjoy these because the story often has a moral included! Hooway for Wodney Wat is a wonderful story about bullying, Me First teaches turn-taking, Princess Penelope’s Parrot is about being polite and using kind words, Tacky the Penguin is a lovable penguin who marches to his own drumbeat, The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken is just plain laugh out loud funny.
Robert Munsch
Although his most popular book, Love You Forever is sweet and serious, he has a multitude of zany stories for children, about children that are so fun and unique. My favorites are Smelly Socks (a girl won’t wash her favorite socks and ends up getting tossed in the river by her classmates), Angela’s Airplane (a little girl finds herself in an airplane by herself and somehow takes off), and Aaron’s Hair (a little boy decides he doesn’t like his hair, so the hair jumps off his head and wreaks havoc in the town.)
Mo Willems
I’ll be straight with you, his books aren’t what I typically choose, BUT the kids do really enjoy his books. I usually prefer a more narrative story, which these are not. My kids’ favorites are: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog. I envision getting some of his “Elephant and Piggie” books for teaching them how to read, though. Oh and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is great. Hm, maybe I just don’t care for the “Pigeon” series?
Adam Rubin
This author is relatively new compared to some of the others on this list, but his books are so creative, interesting, and funny. Again, they aren’t as narrative as I usually prefer for reading to my kids, but they still tell a funny story with style! We have Dragons Love Tacos and Robo-Sauce, and my 5 year old just found Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel at the library and was so excited, so we’ve got that right now, too!
David Shannon
I love David Shannon! He is truly a gifted writer and artist. I highly recommend A Bad Case of the Stripes, about being true to yourself. Too Many Toys is a silly book about, you guessed it, having too many toys. (Who can relate to that?) I also like No, David and David Goes to School.
I hope this gives you some guidance for your next library trip! We’ve been going pretty regularly since this past fall and it’s been wonderful. The kids love going and I foresee many more trips on hot days this summer to keep them busy! What funny kids’ books have you been enjoying lately?
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