World Laughter Day: ten books to tickle your funny bone

Katie | Children's Librarian

Katie has several years’ experience in public libraries, running toddler rhyme time and teenage reading groups, and has also worked as a secondary school librarian. An avid reader of anything and everything, she particularly enjoys historical teen fiction, junior fiction about ponies, and picture books about dogs!

MEET OUR TEAM

I Will Take A Nap by Mo Willems

Announcing that he is tired and cranky, Gerald the elephant decides to take a nap. But he hasn't counted on Piggie popping up with questions, suggestions and a seriously weird turnip head situation!

Lively, hilarious and with a touch of the surreal, this beginner reader book featuring the popular duo of Elephant and Piggie will have readers giggling from the first page.

Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton

Join two intrepid explorers as they take a train-o, a plane-o and ride a Great Dane-o to see a volcano. Nothing could possibly go wrong – could it?

Andy Stanton’s books are always sure to raise a chuckle, and this is no exception. With a driving, rhyming text and a whole cast of bizarre and memorable characters, this fantastic tale can be enjoyed again and again.

The Diddle That Dummed by Kes Gray

A musical note drives a stressed-out composer to despair when it won't do what all the other notes are doing.

This laugh-out-loud story combines text and illustration brilliantly, and the surprise ending is hilarious! Young readers will love the combination of comedic repetition and toilet humour.

Oi Dinosaurs! by Kes Gray and Jim Field

This hugely popular series is showing no signs of running out of steam, with Frog, Cat and Dog pondering what their giant ancestors may have sat on.

Expressive illustrations and some very inventive seating arrangements combine to create another hilarious instalment in the Oi! series.

Giggles! by Sally Symes

Gertie has got the giggles… peep through the pages of this sturdy board book and see who else is giggling.

Proving that the simplest books are the best, this bright and colourful board book is great fun for the tiniest of readers. Its infectious joy can be shared by anyone, anytime, anywhere!

Brenda is a Sheep by Morag Hood

All the sheep adore Brenda. With her sharp pointy teeth and cool grey fur, she's the snazziest sheep around. But Brenda is also very hungry, and doesn't much like the taste of grass...she soon begins plotting the most delicious feast of all.

The capers of a sneaky wolf are sure to raise a smile in this brightly coloured tale. Brenda may look a little different to the other sheep, but they love her regardless – and young readers will too!

Hen in the Bed by Katrina Charman

A noisy twist on the classic nursery rhyme. There were ten in the bed and the speckled hen said ‘Roll over! Roll over!’

A cast of noisy, chaotic animals go through their bedtime routine in this funny tale, with expressive illustrations that offer plenty of amusing details to spot. 

Meet the Parents by Peter Bently

You may think that your parents just boss you around and tell you what to do – but did you realise that they are also tent poles for dens that are wonky, dustbins for the bits that you don't want to eat up and grandstands to make you feel tall? 

The delightful illustrations contain countless little jokes, and compliment the laugh out loud text perfectly in this ode to mums and dads. Parents everywhere will recognise themselves and young readers will enjoy the surprise ending!

Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen

Barbara is having one of those days. She has a sock problem and there’s a strange pea. Then, all of a sudden, Barbara’s wobbler is out of control! How will she overcome her bad mood?

This laugh-out-loud tale of a seriously bad mood will be sure to entertain young readers, as they follow Barbara and her friends attempts to get rid of the enormous wobbler.

There's a Beach in My Pants by Michelle Harrison

After a disastrous trip to the beach with her mum, a little girl gets far more than she bargained for when she returns home.

This lively summery tale perfectly captures the excitement of a beach trip, and the unintended consequences of bringing too much sand home! The illustrations have loads of great details to spot and they work brilliantly with the rhyming text.

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