funny books (make that hilarious!)
The story of a baby who gets super powers from eating avocados. It really appeals to kids - and parents! The baby chases away robbers and I do recall cheers while reading the story aloud + cries of "Go Avocado Baby, Go!" There are lots of good strong messages here about little ones being able to contribute.
ages baby to early childhood
Ages 3 - 10
A fun book that teaches mistakes can become a thing of beauty when approached with the right attitude. The perfect gift for any child that struggles with imperfection.
Ages 2 - 8
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Ages 2 - 12
I once entertained a group of four teenage boys for close to an hour just by passing out these three books. Unfortunately, it was in a church meeting and the sniggering (and occasional outbursts of laughter) were not entirely appropriate!
Ages 2 to 10
This book pretty much requires young readers to pick a side. It’s a fabulous, fun introduction to the art of the real Picasso and Matisse—lots of brilliant illustrations and funny lines.
Ages 2 to 8
A Banana Is A Banana by Justine Clark and Josh Pyke is a book and lively kids song that entertains AND get kids thinking about the words we use and what they really mean.
Things go amusingly awry when a monster writes a letter to his cousin Fred. The letter is accidentally delivered to the little boy under whose bed Fred lives.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes is an upbeat, groovy story that teaches optimism and resilience, making it a wonderful read-it-before-you-need-it book and a fun reminder that being cheerful is a choice.
Every road trip my family went on when I was young was accompanied by John Williamson songs; all of us singing away is a core childhood memory. It’s a tradition we happily continue with our own kids.
I was so excited when I saw that one of my favourite (and most relatable) songs My Dad Snores has been made into a picture book.
Spring is beautiful in Australians. Beautiful and terrifying! You can be happily walking down the street, a street you walk down every day, and then suddenly silent black and white wings of death attack you from above! That’s right, Magpie Season!
Ages 2 - 9
Power flows from perceived external authority, and freedom flows from claiming personal authority. Sometimes, anyway. Life is complex!
In this story the arbitrary exercise of power is set in clear and absurd relief against obvious freedoms.
Ages 2 - 8
Cyril and Pat is a beautiful, funny action packed story that teaches some important life lessons about friendship and acceptance.
Ages 2 - 8
Fun is ambiguous don’t you think? One person’s fun is another person’s special agony (I’ve heard there are people who really enjoy cleaning the oven—never met one, just heard), but most of us find that there’s nothing quite as fun as giving our brain a workout ... here's a collection of things-to-do that work your brain at any age—with links to books to cement, inspire and connect that wonderful work.
ages 2 to 8 years
Most everyone has had almost-perfect days, stupid days, rainy days, peculiar days and uninteresting days. It’s the mix that makes life interesting. Bruno is a cat who tells the story of six very different days in his life.
They’re the sort of days we’ve all had—with surprising, quirky twists. Among those days, there are totally relatable moments, like this one:
“That day, the power went out on my street, At night, so as not to be in the dark, I lit candles. It was very pretty. Since they don’t happen very often, I really like days when the power goes out.”
And totally fantastic days, like when Bruno and his friend Ringo, a horse, find that they can breathe underwater and end up in a backwards swimming race with their new friend Bup, a fish. Bruno muses:
We’ve long been fans of the the uber-talented, uber-funny, author/illustrator duo Mark and Rowan Sommerset so, when the email came to say they’re selling their home, I immediately checked it out. Well, my oh my! Their publishing arm is worthily called Dreamboat Books and their house is all of that. I couldn’t wait to share it with you! Video below, but first click here for a gorgeous slide show (there’s a luxury yurt!)
ages 3 to 8 years
When I was in my early 20’s I was privileged to teach English in China, an amazing experience filled with people, culture and experiences. And I got to visit the Beijing Zoo.
I had no real interest in the zoo itself, but I’d always wanted to see a panda. So in 42-degree heat and what felt like 110% humidity I made my way across Beijing. And … it was rather disappointing. The panda WAS cute, but
ages 3 to grownup
I’ve been a John Williamson fan since childhood and a few months ago we were lucky enough to go to one of his concerts as a family. Amazing. There's really nothing quite like a live performance.
During intermission, I came across Christmas in Australia. I had no idea John Williamson had written a children’s book and just had to buy it—my only regret was that the kids were so exhausted by the end of the show we couldn't wait in the line to get it
a lovely book for all ages
'Opposites' books are pretty great—and not uncommon. They're wonderful for building kids' vocabularies and usually simple enough to keep even the little ones interested. Elephant Elements is a book of opposites, but it's not the common variety—more like one-of-a-kind.
ages 2 to 8 years
Because we all have our metaphorical caves and wolves—and actual triumphs and fears—this is a tale that will resonate with adults and children. And make both giggle with delighted relief.
It’s the story of a ‘little creature’ who lives in a cave and refuses to come out because there is a wolf who never leaves the entrance.
The wolf cajoles, entices and begs, but ‘the little creature stays home.’
In the end, it’s a doughnut that does the trick
ages 3 to 7 years
Few things are more exciting for children than receiving mail—just for them. The joy of knowing that someone is thinking of you and the excitement of finding out what’s inside makes checking the mailbox a treat. The Jolly Postman combines that with the fun of fairytales!
This was one of my favourite books growing up and it's still a hit whenever I read it aloud.
ages 2 to 8 years
Before and after photos are something of a modern obsession—weight loss, home renovations, teeth, hair, even cars (think Pimp My Ride)! We just seem to love looking at change.
My Pictures After The Storm feeds that innate human fascination in a way that is laugh out loud funny. It's fundamentally cheerful and offers such a clever and witty look at life. This is a book that's full of humour, bursting with life and colour, and terrific for thinking about change
ages 2 to 8 years
Sometimes our own little quirks or difficulties can be a blessing. To us and to others.
In this tremendously fun story a cute little cat with a crick in his back walks through a town, surprising people everywhere and causing them to tilt their heads as he walks past.
That simple act leads to changes in perspective, new lifestyles, decisions and even new architecture.
ages 4 to 10 years
Sometimes we just need an adventure, where we get to try new things, see new places, learn, grow and test our limits. Mostly our adventures are quite small and close to home, but sometimes they're really BIG, taking us to far-off places and distant lands.
Sir Charlie Stinky Socks is a bold brave Knight and one day he decides that it’s time for a really BIG adventure. So
ages 2—8 years
There’s a scene in Emma (by Jane Austen), where Emma is talking to her friend (or plaything depending on your viewpoint) Harriet about a proposal. Emma says, ‘You must be the judge of your own happiness.’—and then proceeds to tell her how to judge her happiness!
Most of us are spared an Emma in our lives—we mostly judge our own happiness and find our own way. But sometimes we can be so secure in our current happiness that it becomes difficult to envision a different happiness.Children are prone to this too.
ages 2 to 5 years old
My junior kindy kids love these bear-books! We found one of them in a bookshelf at kindy and I raided the bookshelves at home for the others. (The big appeal is that they're ‘scary bear’ books.) And then, because bears became so popular, I went on the hunt for more (They’re not all scary, but they are all great!).
Reading books like these is so important ..... they allow children to encounter a range of emotions
ages 2 to 10 years
Have you ever tried herding animals? Trying to get a group of them to go where you want is one of the most futile exercises in existence. At times, kids are no easier(!) and Our (last) Trip to the Market embodies this experience.
ages 2 to 8 years
Here’s a brilliantly engaging and amusing story about 71 sheep, a ball of wool, and a wolf. With a superbly developed sense of the absurd, the storyline follows the sheep and their attempt to play a game of soccer: The sheep count themselves and realise that with 71 of them, they have the perfect number for a game of soccer!
ages 2 to 8 years
Ownership is a slippery concept, especially where pets are concerned. Is it really possible to own another living thing—and how does the pet view your relationship anyway! It gets even more complex if your ‘pet’ is actually a wild animal. Wilfred is pretty sure he owns a moose! He calls the moose Marcel and gives him a list of rules, some of which the moose follows really well, others not so well. But Wilfred is happy
a board book for baby and a fun picture book for grownups
Does this pretty much sum up life for you too? (I’m sure there’s a male equivalent: ‘I was going to be the perfect husband. I was to going to paint and build and mow and mow and mow???’) Check out the rest of Judy Horacek’s 'Topic of the Month' cartoons here—so funny.
