World Book Day is upon us. Tomorrow, whether your child races into school wearing a lovingly-crafted homage to their favourite literary character, or stuffed into a Batman outfit that’s slightly too small, know this: ultimately, the costume itself does not matter. Use whatever time and attention you have on the thing that’s important: getting children reading.
As an author who goes into schools, and a parent, I’ve read hundreds of children’s books and I see first-hand the benefits of reading. I see the increase in creativity, empathy and confidence. I see children taking charge of their leisure time, discovering their tastes and telling me things I never knew.
According to the charity Booktrust, children who read make more progress across the curriculum; they are more likely to experience better mental wellbeing and self-esteem. But none of this is of much interest to a nine-year-old who wants to get back to her Nintendo Switch. To get book-shy children turning the pages, stories need to be one thing first and foremost: fun.
Books can be clever and they can be wise, but if they’re not enjoyable then the chances are children simply won’t read them; put fun and funny first and the rest will follow. If your child declares they “don’t like reading”, then keep trying. Read in front of them, read together, scatter books, comics and magazines anywhere your child might find them. Because for even the most reluctant reader, it only takes one book – or sometimes a single sentence – to change everything.
Whether you’re standing in a bookshop or heading to your local library, look out for these 12 barkingly funny books; not only will your children adore them, you will, too. Because books are for everyone, forever; World Book Day is just the start.
For the under-5’s
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
George the dog does try to be good. It’s just hard, when the world is full of soil to dig, cats to chase and large, enticing cakes. Now George’s owner Harris is going out. What will he find on his return? Warm and funny and extremely relatable, this story is ideal for bedtime; it will delight both child and reader night after night after night.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
A bear’s hat is lost! It must be found! Children – and indeed, adults – will recognise the imperative of getting this hat back where it belongs. Minimal words and hilariously understated illustrations tell a tale as old as time, and as funny as it gets.
Oi Frog! by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field
Everyone knows that cats sit on mats. But what do frogs sit on? If you’re reading a book to an audience, then it needs to roll off the tongue. Clever rhymes make reading this picture book aloud a total pleasure, and the zingy illustrations will have young readers poring over them long after the lights were supposed to be turned out.
The Book With No Pictures by B J Novak
Who wants to be read a book without any pictures in it? Blank pages don’t sound like much fun. But this particular book makes the grown-up reading it say and do stuff that’s very stupid and extremely embarrassing, whether they want to or not. Bedtimes are just barmy with this book, in the best possible way.
For 5 to 8-year-olds
The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
A machine that shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you’re hungry, a gigantic catapult and a tank of sharks… Terry and Andy’s treehouse has all this and so very much more. The illustrations are zany, the story madcap, and when you’ve finished this tale, there are eleven more books in the series, with a whopping 169 storeys to explore.
Witch Wars by Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson
Tiga Whicabim is a witch, apparently. She doesn’t really believe it, until a fairy called Fran points out that her name is an anagram of I Am A Big Witch. Soon, Tiga is heading off down a drainpipe to compete in the Witch Wars, and become the Top Witch of Ritzy City. Mischievous, stylish and glittering with jokes, you’ll have to pry this book from your child’s hands.
You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum by Andy Stanton, illustrated by David Tazzyman
An instant classic when it was first published 20 years ago, the adventures of the horrible old Mr Gum and a daring little girl called Polly have made fans of everyone from Stephen Mangan to Kate Winslet. Whether it’s reciting Polly’s full name (it’ll take a while) or just sniggering over the anarchic illustrations, this is a book that kids will remember forever. There’s a new anniversary edition out next month.
Wilf The Mighty Worrier Saves The World by Georgia Pritchett, illustrated by Jamie Littler
To say Wilf’s a pessimist would be an understatement. Then Alan, the most evil man in the universe, moves in next door – it turns out Wilf’s fears are well-founded. Has he got what it takes to save the world? A lovely – and very funny – book for small and worried children by Succession writer Georgia Pritchett.
For 9 to 12-year-olds
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
There’s been a Hollywood movie and a Netflix series, but it all began with this deliciously twisted story, in which three hapless orphans are thrown into the clutches of the wicked Count Olaf. Snicket’s gorgeously gothic tales are so very funny that even the most jaded 10-year-old will fall deep under their spell; when they do, there are 12 more books featuring the poor Baudelaire orphans, each more unfortunate than the last.
Café Chaos: My Family Is Not a Piece of Cake by Catherine Wilkins
Running a busy café is a dream come true – but it’s not Hope Crumble’s dream, and she’s the one stuck doing it. Add a change of schools and an unexpected aunt and soon Café Crumble becomes Café Chaos… The brilliant book is generous on both cake and jokes, and Hope is a beacon for every young person who feels a bit lost within their family; this is a tale about finding your voice and being heard. And best of all, the next book in the series is published this month.
Kay’s Anatomy: A Complete (and Completely Disgusting) Guide to the Human Body by Adam Kay
Asking important questions like, ‘why are scabs hard if they’re made of blood?’, ‘why do I get pins and needles?’ and ‘are bogeys safe to eat?’, this energetically illustrated and incredibly informative guide is both funny and fascinating. And because it’s written by Adam Kay it’s a bit disgusting, in just the way that young readers like best. There’s a whole section on mucus. What child could resist?
Your next read
square PROPERTY AND MORTGAGESI can afford to buy a home. Why I’m choosing to rent for £900 a month instead
square TRAVELI love the Peak District – these are my favourite places to visit in spring
square TRAVELThe bucket-list Canadian trip that’s cheaper and more thrilling out of season
square PROPERTY AND MORTGAGES Money ClinicCan I use equity release to reduce the inheritance tax due on my £1.2m home?
Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have just set up a secret detective agency and are looking for a case to crack; but when they find the body of their science teacher Miss Bell, they get rather more than they bargained for. Set in a 1930’s boarding school, this is a thrilling mystery told with humour and verve; and young readers will be delighted to find that the Wells & Wong Detective Society return in a further eight books.
Hence then, the article about i m a children s author these are the 12 funniest books for kids was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( I’m a children’s author – these are the 12 funniest books for kids )
Also on site :