24 Funny Children's Books to Read Aloud

Being a penguin is hard, okay? Your beak’s cold, the fish are slippery, and everyone looks exactly like you. With its deadpan delivery and oddly relatable gripes, Penguin Problems stands out as both silly and smart.

I Want My Hat Back is a dry, witty tale about a bear on a serious mission to find his missing hat. With its deadpan humor, clever dialogue, and surprise ending, it’s a hit with kids and adults who appreciate a little dark comedy.

"Stand Back," said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!" is a hilarious, rhyming picture book about a dramatic elephant whose impending sneeze sends panic through the animal kingdom. With playful language and silly illustrations, it’s a fun read-aloud that keeps kids laughing from start to finish.

Does anything scare the galaxy's most fearsome villain? Spiders? The dark? Public speaking?? This funny read aloud is a perfect book for Halloween, but just as hilarious any time of the year.

Kelly R said:  A legitimately funny book that parents will enjoy, too!

A Pig, a Fox, and Stinky Socks is a silly early reader book about a mischievous fox who plays smelly pranks on his friend Pig. With simple text, playful illustrations, and a surprise twist, it’s a fun and easy read that’s perfect for kids just starting out.

Erynn said:  You might expect beginning reader books to be dull, but Jonathan Fenske adds plenty of laughs in his books about Pig and Fox. The setup is perfect and the humor is more subtle - kids have to pay attention to the images to see exactly what's so hilarious.

Sarah Calamita said:  This adorable and funny alphabet book will keep your child's attention and they will learn the ABCs while they are at it. Older kids will appreciate that they can easily read it.

Nanette’s Baguette is a charming and funny story about Nanette, a little girl on a mission to buy a baguette—but her plans go hilariously off track as she encounters all sorts of silly distractions along the way. 

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Nanette's Baguette is the hilarious tongue twisting rhyming book by Mo Willems, rock star author of so many funny books for kids. It tells the story of young Nanette who has to pick up a baguette from the bakery. She sees friends along the way, but does not forget about the baguette. After she picks it up, she cannot resist eating it on the way home, and then "Nanette is beset with regret." This is a read aloud, laugh out loud book to be enjoyed by the whole family.

This is the story of dust bunnies who speak in rhyme, and the odd-man-out who goes against the grain when trying to warn them of a disastrous fate. Jan Thomas has a knack for writing funny books for kids that are engaging, simple and hilarious, so check out her entire collection. Make sure to read them with your A-game silly voice, because it makes all the difference.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  We love this book! Love all Jan Thomas' books but this is our favorite. I introduced it a few years ago to my son's preschool class and after hearing it the first time, they demanded the teacher read it two more times. A true winner!

In Wacky Wednesday, a boy wakes up to find a shoe on the wall, and his day only gets wackier from there. This silly Dr. Seuss book invites readers to search and find all the wacky things on each page, making it fun, interactive book to read aloud with kids.

Alexandra F. said:  All four of my kids have loved this book, and it is my favorite of all the Dr. Seuss books as well. I've read it over and over again with all of my kids, because they just love to look for and find all the wacky things happening on each page. I read it aloud to my daughter's first grade class, too, and it was a huge hit!

Gerald is distressed when a bird lands on his head, but his optimistic friend Piggie helps him find a funny solution to the problem.

Vanessa M. said:  The Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems became an instant classic in our house. It is filled with funny children's books to read aloud, but There is a Bird on Your Head is by far the fan favorite amongst my kids! The premise is silly, the illustrations are charming, and the dialogue is funny enough to make grown-ups crack up.

The Monster at the End of This Book (starring lovable, furry Grover) is a classic, funny book that will have your kids giggling and asking to read again. Grover learns that there is a monster at the end of the book, and is so afraid he begs readers NOT TO TURN THE PAGE! Of course, kids love defying Grover's instructions and the silly, surprise ending never gets old.

Amanda Banta said:  This is one of my favorites! My friend gave me this and the sequel with Elmo when I was pregnant with my first and these still make me laugh. My younger guy still loves reading it and he's 5! Super cute!

Plenty of parents can relate to The Big Bed, a funny and heartwarming story about a little girl who insists on sharing her parents’ big bed—until things get a little too crowded and she makes her case for why dad should be the odd man out!

Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty is both naughty and adorable! She used to be a good kitty, but when her owners run out of her favorite foods, she decides to be a bad kitty. Kids get a laugh over kitty's naughty and nice antics, and the outrageous alphabetized lists of foods she loves and hates. 

Vanessa M. said:  This book is so silly, kids don't even realize they are reviewing the alphabet 4 times!

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a funny and charming story about cows who find a typewriter and start leaving notes for the farmer. Kids (and grown-ups) will get a kick out of the cows’ demands and the farmer’s reaction in this playful barnyard standoff.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This hilarious gem is witty, clever and fun for all.

Bob, Not Bob! is a hilarious picture book about a little boy with a stuffy nose who tries to call for his mom—but keeps accidentally summoning the family dog, Bob. Filled with funny miscommunications and playful read-aloud moments, it’s a favorite for kids (and parents).

Kelly R said:  There's no way you're getting out of doing the voices for this funny book! We all got a kick out of talking like Little Louie in this story that MUST be read aloud.