My goal as an author is to elicit emotion. Because I don't want to make four-year-olds cry, I tend to strive for laughter. Here, in my opinion, are the five funniest picture books since 2019.
Let's count them down...
#5: THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR by Ross Burach
Why it's great: Concept. A socially awkward caterpillar just can't wait to become a butterfly. Too simple to have never been thought of before, and more clever, if I dare say, than a merely hungry caterpillar.
Why it's great: Title. It's also secretly a book about manners. But the vegetables are well covered in chocolate.
#3: THE HAPPY BOOK AND OTHER FEELINGS by Andy Rash
Why it's great: Plot Twists. It turns out not to be a book about happiness, but a whole range of feelings, all flowing logically from the first spread.
Why it's great: Interactivity! You get to decide the story arc. Beware: Lenny dies if you choose the wrong one. I kinda like that subversiveness.
Why it's great: A combo of title + concept. A big burly bear scout wets his pants and blames his friends. Wham! I'd buy this manuscript on the first read--and I'm not even an editor.
What these five books have in common is that I wish I'd written them. There were quite a few more on my runner-up list (looking at you, Adam Rex, Nicola Winstanley, Taro Gomi).
Todd is giving away signed copies of: OH, THE LAVAS THAT FLOW (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library), NAUGHTY NINJA TAKES A BATH, LIBRARY BOOKS ARE NOT FOR EATING to one lucky winner! To be eligible for prizes throughout the challenge, you must be registered by March 1, comment on each post, consistently read mentor texts, and enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the conclusion of ReFoReMo.
Todd Tarpley is the author of fourteen children's books, including 2016 ALA Notable Book BEEP! BEEP! GO TO SLEEP! and several Dr. Seuss titles.
Thank you for not making four year olds cry and for this list of funny books. I especially loved the manners lessons in Smell My Foot:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of funny books. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch great reads! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love that what connects the books is that you wish you'd 'written them.' They are such great ideas. Thanks for some awesome reads.
ReplyDeleteLove funny books and this looks like a fantastic selection! Thanks for sharing, Todd!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the list of laughs!
ReplyDeleteThese are so fun. Thanks for sharing these books with titles that grab you right away.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have been teaching almost entirely remotely for a year, I have noticed how especially engaged kids are during humorous read alouds. The lack of connection can feel hard for anyone-especially kindergartners, but laughing together from our own homes feels pretty special. They found The Very Impatient Caterpillar hilarious and relatable and the unique structure of Lenny the Lobster Can't Stay for Dinner had them on the edge of their seats. The Happy Book is new to me and I think that one will be enjoyed by all of us one day soon.
ReplyDeleteHumorous picture books are my favorite to read aloud to children because the sound of their laughter is music to my ears. Thanks for including some terrific ones, Todd.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Todd! I am looking closely at humor in picture books lately.I was at a book launch with a friend and saw WHO WET MY PANTS? from across the room. We guffawed at that title on the spot. Im picking up THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR today and returning the inimitable HAPPY BOOK. Can't wait to give the others you recommend a closer look. Happy concept conjuring and writing, Todd!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the humour, Todd! My daughters and I guffawed our way through who wet my pants and The very impatient caterpillar. I never thought that I would want to write a funny picture book but I just finished my first draft and it was a blast.
ReplyDeleteThese humorous books are such a treat! I especially enjoyed the strong dialogue that lead the stories. Thank you for the levity in these titles. I wish I had written these too!
ReplyDeleteNow I want to challenge myself with a story built this way full of humor and no narration!
I so love funny picture books & reading them to kids. Just watching their faces as they see all the extra little jokes on the pages, is priceless.
ReplyDeleteOther recent funny books I love: The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa, Never Let a Unicorn Scribble! by Diane Alber, The Best Worst Poet Ever by Lauren Stohler.
But my ultimate favorite (even if it's a few years old): Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb & Joe Berger. I start laughing as soon as I see the endsheets.
I LOVE funny books & children LOVE them too! So far, I’ve read only, “The Very Impatient Caterpillar,” which was great! I’m looking forward to reading the other choices!
ReplyDeleteNice examples of humor! Thanks for your mentor text recommendations!
ReplyDeleteThese are great book suggestions, love guffawing along with my kiddoes! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThese will be funny for generations! Love that caterpillar. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your funny favorites!
ReplyDeleteCeCe Bell and Bob Shea always make me laugh! Ty for the laughs, Todd.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! Thanks for sharing this list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great suggestions Todd. I was delighted my local library had them all!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Cece Bell and loved the tongue in cheek humor of Caterpillar. Humor is so important in picture books, and one of my favorites is Bob, Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Matthew Cordell. Wonderful to read aloud for a day you need giggles!
ReplyDeleteLove these books, just watched a webinar on humor in writing... It's my thing! The very impatient caterpillar and who wet my pants were presented!!! Love silliness we need more of it daily!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I'm eager to read Who Wet my Pants? The Happy Book definitely looks like it could be a great school book to deal with the range of emotions we see from kids in the span of 5 minutes. Thanks for the selection!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely can't wait to read these and have a good laugh--or many! Thanks, Todd!
ReplyDelete“Laughter is the Best Medicine” was my most favorite section in Readers’ Digest. I’m having trouble getting my ReFoReMo books from the library in time for that day’s read; but will enjoy these when they come in. It’s been a wonderful journey of discovery for me as I dive into these books. Thank you for your recommendations and adding lightness to our and our children’s life.
ReplyDeleteI loved Who Wet My Pants. I think it would be so fun to read aloud to a child. I want to buy it for my brother in law to read to his kids, but he doesn't have any kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Todd, for sharing some fun, funny, funniest book tiles.
ReplyDeleteSuzy Leopold
Having the ability to make children laugh is an incredible gift. These books are wonderful. I especially enjoyed Who Wet My Pants?
ReplyDeleteI have a "I wish I'd written them" list too. Top ones on my list are There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi and The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
ReplyDeleteby Julia Sarcone-Roach.
I totally agree that children need a place for laughter, especially in books!
ReplyDeleteThe Very Impatient Caterpillar is one of my favorites! Humor and learning - hand in hand!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at humor! Thanks for this post, Todd!
ReplyDeleteLove funny books! My kids were just cracking up this morning reading (and re-reading) The Very Impatient Caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteAgree, great stories that elicit laughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these humorous books!
ReplyDeleteAs a retired school librarian, I know how much kids love funny books and these books are great examples of funny books that I am sure all readers would love. I agree I wish I could write books like any of these. I read these with an eye for techniques I could try in my own writing. The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach is a book I have read to kids many times and they love it. It has such a kid like voice so similar to "Are we there yet?" that kids relate very easily and just love to see what happens when the caterpillar tries to come out way too soon. I am going to try to achieve an authentic kid voice in my writing. Smell My Foot by Cece Bellis written in the very popular graphic novel format but for younger readers. Todd is so right when he said that the lessons in this book concerning manners are presented like chocolate covered vegetables. My early attempts at writing picture books are too didactic and I am going to try to incorporate some of the tactics used in this book. In particular the section on Please and Thank you was hilarious in the way it was presented.The Happy Book and other Feelings by Andy Rash was also written in the graphic novel type format for easy readers and it was a very creative interactive look at different emotions as the reader is led to different books or doors with varying emotions displayed. "The words "Come Look at the page" engage the reader. I loved that the characters were cliches personified-Happy Camper, Mad Wet Hen, Scaredy Cat etc. This is a very funny book on a topic that is so important to children, expressing different emotions. I would love to try to incorporate some of this type of humor as well. Lenny the Lobster Can't Stay for Dinner by Michael Buckley is also interactive and a sort of choose your own adventure type picture book. The lobster is invited to a fancy dinner party and given gifts such as wrist bands and he is flattered that everyone is waering bibs with his picture on them. The reader can decide if he should stay at the party and continue on reading or have him leave and skip ahead to page 22. The real humor lies in the fact that the lobster does not get that he is to be dinner or that the girl is trying to rescue him and why. Kids love books where they can figure out what is happening to the characters before the character figures it out. I definitely want to try to engage readers more in my
ReplyDeletewriting. The last book was my favorite and is especially appropriate because I have been trying to write a book about a character who blames his actions on others. Who Wet My Pants by Bob Shea pictures by Zacariah Ohora is a hilarious book on this same topic. The boy scout bear in the story accuses his friends of wetting his pants. Again kids will love the fact that they know what is going on before the main character does and he never does quite admit it. Instead he reaches the conclusion that his pants are broken. It was also great how his frinds were so understanding and forgiving because they had been in this situation before. This is an excellent example of how to address a delicate topic with humor. These books are great mentor texts and I hope I can incorporate some of what I learned from them. Thanks Todd!
Thanks Todd! Hilarious examples.
ReplyDeleteHumor. Kids love humor and getting in on the joke. Thank you for this list of funny books. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read these!
ReplyDeleteTodd, my grandsons and I love your BEEP! BEEP! GO TO TO SLEEP! Thank you for introducing me to these humorous picture books. Books like these are so much fun to read aloud!
ReplyDeleteBEEP! BEEP! GO TO SLEEP! is a picture book that my grandsons ask me to read over and over again! ❤️
ReplyDeleteIt is so great to read books that make one laugh out loud! Enjoyable for the kids and their parents!
ReplyDeleteTodd, thank you for the reminder about adding humor to your stories. What a great selection of texts!
ReplyDeleteTODD: I am in TOTAL AGREEMENT about "THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR" and "WHO WET MY PANTS"--HILLARIOUS, and at the same time they teach. A PERFECT COMBO! I CAN'T WAIT to read the others on your list. The titles ALONE have me in stitches! Humor TRULY is key to getting kids interested in reading. If you can make them laugh, they will come back for more. THANK YOU for the INSPRIATION to use humor in our writing to bring a little more JOY to a child's world--something they SO TRULY NEED MORE THAN EVER. Don't we ALL!!!?!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the informative post. Thank you for bring a smile and giggle to my day!
ReplyDeleteTodd, thanks so much for sharing this list of hilarious books! There were two I've never heard of and can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! My very fave thing about these books is that all of these authors found there was more than potty humor (except who wet my pants) to make a 4 year old laugh! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great title suggestions. I'm always looking to deepen my understanding of humor and how it works, and these will certainly help.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Todd. How do these creators come up with this stuff? It feels great to laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteTodd, thanks for these great suggestions!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love The Very Impatient Caterpillar!
ReplyDeleteI am in the need for some humor! Yay! Thanks for sharing such great titles with us. I'm off to do some laughing.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction, Angie. I'm in the need of humor! Yay!
DeleteI have read 4 of the 5 books listed here and one or two I find were trying too hard. Each has their own slant at funny. I agree with those that picked the Impatient Caterpillar story as funny as they echo the sentiments of little five year olds wanting things done now and hurrying to accomplish something. My kids loved Walter the Farting dog.
ReplyDeletethanks for these and your good description of the "why" they are funny. Humor is not my strength, so it's great to read funny books and learn a bit more.
ReplyDeleteHilarious book choices. And hooray for lots of animal characters!
ReplyDeleteThese books are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat examples of humor in books. Not every child understands humor, sarcasm, subversive text but these can help explain it. Thank you for the post.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSince I have always tended to go with the more 'serious' titles, it nice to be humored once in a while. Thanks.
Thank you for your choices in books. We can all use a laugh!
ReplyDeleteYes! Humor is so important. Great selection of books. I've read most and the others are in my library queue.
ReplyDeleteI love your intro. No one wants to make a four year old cry. A good reason to write humor. Thank you for the list additions. Can't wait to laugh with them all.
ReplyDeleteOH YAAAAAY!!!!! HUMOR! I love humor, and sometimes I forget that, and try too hard to write Books That Matter. Big, important books. Boo to that idea. Here's to making books that make everyone laugh. Can't wait to check out yours!
ReplyDeleteWell, Smell My Foot was a revelation. The Very Impatient Caterpillar funny and so well designed. Can't wait to get my hands on the others and a few of yours ... without getting my pants wet. Thank you, Todd, for these humorous suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the fun today. I often say, "I should have written that one!" Oh well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laughter today!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Todd! Laughter is much needed, and these books are great recommendations.
ReplyDeleteWho Wet My Pants? is indeed super funny. We're also big fans of Bob, Not Bob. I can't wait to check out the others on the list. Thanks, Todd.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read these! All on hold at the library and sound soooo funny!
ReplyDeleteI love funny picture books and wish I were better at writing them!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Todd, for this great list of funny. THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR has been one of my favorites, and I'm looking forward to the butterfly sequel. When I find a book that makes me LOL, I'll often check out a pile of books from that author to study their brand of humor, and explore why I find it so appealing. Editors and agents keep saying they want more humor!
ReplyDeleteI gravitate to humorous picture books and adored the cleverness of The Very Impatient Caterpillar. I also enjoy Josh Funk's clever word play.
ReplyDeleteLove your humor, Todd. Just requested all these from my library.
ReplyDeleteCece Bell has some of my favorites. Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeleteHumorous picture books are fabulous. You chose a great list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLots of great examples! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLOL funny. I needed the laughs. Great mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your funny favorites!
ReplyDeleteTodd confirms that even with humor, the picture book requires a twist -- something new, even if the subject is familiar. Always a good reminder! Thanks, Todd!
ReplyDeleteTHese are great mentor tests for humour. Thanks for sharing. Certainly need a laugh these days.
ReplyDeleteThe Very Impatient Caterpillar is #1 in my book for humour!
ReplyDeleteI love Cece Bell's books, too. And Burach's caterpillar book is a fave. I'd also like to add more favorites of mine: Andrea Zuill, Doreen Cronin, Julie Falatko, Ame Dyckman, Elise Parsley, Tara Lazar, Dev Petty....the list of potential mentor texts is endless.
ReplyDeleteThis selection hit the mark. Each one different, but equally humorous. I recommended the Happy Book and Other Feelings to one of my critique partners because she was looking for a format to have characters transform to other sections of the story in an interactive way. Who Wet My Pants was a great mentor text for how to handle several characters in a story. The Very Impatient Caterpillar uses Voice and Emotion masterfully. It is the book that makes me want to read & write PB's.
ReplyDeleteLenny the Lobster was already one of my favorites. Now I'm a fan of The Happy Book, too. Thanks for introducing me to it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way the author teaches the scientific process of turning into a butterfly with humor. Thank you for your suggestions. Spoiler, I couldn't watch Lenny end up in the pot!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook, Here's all I know. This morning I helped out at the lemonade stand.
ReplyDeleteLaughed Out Loud at that picture.
Funny books are my FAVORITE! Thanks for this list. I loved The Very Impatient Caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your top five funniest books, Todd. Laughter is great for the body and soul!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these! The Happy Book and The Very Impatient Caterpillar are two of my all time favorites! We are definitely on the same page when it comes to humor!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great list and your take on why they are funny!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this laugh-out-loud list, Todd. Humor is hard to get right, but each of these titles shows a unique way to achieve it.
ReplyDeleteGreat selections- a few were now to me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat selection! And I second your nomination for Adam Rex too. His books are a riot!
ReplyDeleteFun texts and great illustrations!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed these reads and needed a good chuckle. Smell my Foot was an interesting PB approach with the chapters, but child friendly with repetition, manners and silly drawings. Lenny was just adorable. These are welcomed smiles across the board.
ReplyDeleteHurray for Humor!! Thanks for these titles!
ReplyDeleteI also love funny books and I think that is helping to shape my voice. My vote out of these five is Lenny the Lobster Can't Stay for Dinner. You know how you know it's going to be hilarious just by the title? This one doesn't fail to please. Thanks Todd!
ReplyDeleteFunny comp books. I loved "The Very Impatient Caterpillar", it reminds me of a child on a car trip continually asking "Are we there yet?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for not wanting to make 4 year-olds to cry.
Someone recommended Impatient Caterpillar when it came out and I thought it was clever and very well written. So many levels! Thanks for your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading these humorous texts :) Thank you, Todd, for sharing the funny!
ReplyDeleteGreat examples of different types of humor. I laughed at the title "Smell My Foot" because my son used to like saying it to his sister. So of course I couldn't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many kinds of humor so I appreciate your steering us to a kind that I, in all honesty, don't usually gravitate to. Thanks for broadening my humor horizons.
ReplyDeleteI love to laugh. Thank you for sharing your top five funniest picture books since 2019.
ReplyDeleteTerrific list of books, thank you! Laughter and humor are so very important, particularly these days.
ReplyDeleteWHO WET MY PANTS is hilarious and my favorite, but the VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR was my "borrowed child's " favorite. The humor in both were spot on! Thank you for such a wonderful list of books to read
ReplyDeleteHooray for funny books! "Who Wet My Pants?" - definitely a winner. Also, can't stop laughing about "On Account of the Gum" and "Penguin and Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime!"
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteYes to all of these! I also loved Ame Dyckman's Dandy. And Ross Burach is coming out with a sequel soon - The Little Butterfly That Could!
ReplyDeleteFunny books are my favorite. It is interesting reading which book everyone likes best. I would have to put the Very Impatient Caterpillar at number one. Another new humorous book I love is Smug Seagull by Maddie Frost.
ReplyDelete"What these five books have in common is that I wish I'd written them."
ReplyDeleteSuch a great litmus test for the books that speak to you!
Thank you for sharing this fabulous list of humorous books! I love them all!
ReplyDeleteI am totally inspired now to write a humorous picture book! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHumor is such a gift! I struggle to unwrap mine. Thanks for sharing your list!
ReplyDeleteThank so much for these funny -- and fun mentor texts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great group of books!
ReplyDeleteClever books with really different humor. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove this list. Thanks for making me laugh thoughtfully.
ReplyDeleteStill smiling! At each book on the list. The art marries so well with the words to make the humor. I loved Bob Shea's line, "I'll get to the bottom of this!" as Bear bends over, mooning his audience. Funny too that Bigfoot thinks it's weird when donuts touch. I also love the humorous voice in the characters--Caterpillar, Lobster, Brain, etc. Haha!
ReplyDeleteThese are all unique and delightful. A great study in humor--I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Todd! I love WHO WET MY PANTS? and I'm looking forward to reading some of the others. THE HAPPY BOOK looks delightful!
ReplyDeleteI love this day! I love what you said about what they have in common. I feel that statement so much. These are wonderful. We've read Smell My Foot several times this week. It's simple enough that my new-reader daughter can read it herself, but it's so fun to read together. I love how it's stealthily a book about manners. Great characters. I love the concept of Who Wet My Pants. My coworker and I laugh about that book regularly. Great list. Thanks for sharing. Some new favorites here too.
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd written these books too. I love funny picture books!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!!
DeleteI agree with you and Aly. I wish I had written these books too!
ReplyDeleteWho Wet My Pants and Lenny the Lobster were both hilarious! I would love to write a funny book some day. Good to have these mentor titles to reflect upon.
ReplyDeleteHow can I get my name to show up instead of unknown? Rhonda Kay Gatlin's comments: Thank for the variety of humor books. Children today's outlook on humor is so different than when I was growing up. You opened my eyes to a new way for me to start thinking about 2021 humor.
ReplyDeleteAre you signed into Google?
DeleteLove funny books! Wish I could write them . . . alas I think I am a "quiet book" writer. How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps by by Nicola Winstanley and John Martz also so funny!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. Funny is always best. Hard to do but worth the effort. Thanks for adding some new titles to my mentor list.
ReplyDeleteLove these funny mentor texts. Ross Burach is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteWriting humor is no easy task, kudos for those who can do it. I love the selections you chose, they definitely bring a smile to my face - just with the title alone, not to mention the story. Thanks for the inspiration to go make 'em laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great humor selections!
ReplyDeleteEven the titles made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laughs!
ReplyDeleteThank you,Todd. It’s always so much fun to read humorous books aloud to children!
ReplyDeleteI chuckled through out the titles and descriptions. I look forward to checking these out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese were so funny! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSharing laughter is a beautiful experience! I’m looking forward to checking out these titkes
ReplyDeleteFunny is best! Smell My Foot took me completely by surprise.
ReplyDeleteYay, funny! These are so great in humor and range of subject matter- thanks so much for the additions to my shared horizons...
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting selection of humorous books! Yes, these are LOL-worthy & illicit that "I wish I'd thought of that...so simple!" emotion in us authors. But I'm saddened to see that the ones shared are mostly by male authors (4/5) Women write hilarious tales, too :)
ReplyDeleteHumor is always much appreciated in picture books & you've picked some marvelous examples here. Can't wait to read one I'm not familiar with - Lenny.
ReplyDeleteFunny books are the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for an entertaining selection, Todd! Nothing recommends a book like another author admitting "I wish I'd written these!" Humor and laughter are great connectors for ANY age!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed these books. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteevafelder@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Todd for today's selection. Humor is so wonderful but not everybody has the ability to express it.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar is a reflection of many adults and children. I am very inspired by the illustrations. The gestures of the caterpillar capture perfectly his personality. I am planning to use the book to practice drawing, specially the eyes. As I flip through the pages, I feel that I am enrolled in a drawing class.
The Happy Book and Other Feelings is such a clever way to make the reader flow through areas of different colors and textures to make us get in touch with our feelings. It is an excellent book for children who have a difficult time expressing their emotions.
So funny! My favorites were Impatient Caterpillar, The Happy Book, and Who Wet My Pants! :) I would be Imogen in Lenny the Lobster. ;)
ReplyDeleteFunny PB's are the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree, funny PBs are the best. I hate to make kids cry as well.
ReplyDeleteHumor is absolutely my genre! Thanks for some great examples. Also LOVED On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex!
ReplyDeleteTodd, I agree that humorous picture books are the best of the best! Kids adore them too! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou started my day off wit laughter which is a great way to begin. Great choices!
ReplyDeleteLOVE these books! I laughed out loud at your comment about not wanting to make 4 year olds cry. That's a good goal. Thanks so much for this fun post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your recommendations. Writing humorous books is not easy, so I appreciate these mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun books with kid-appeal. Thanks for sharing, Todd!
ReplyDeleteLoved these books! And I agree, The Impatient Caterpillar is brilliant in its simplicity
ReplyDeleteLots of laughing going on in my house while reading and sharing these humorous mentor texts with e.c.teachers friends. Lots of conversation starters, too. Kiddos (and adults) learn about a butterflies life cycle (and hilariously instant migration), alternative motives of dogs, feelings (The Happy Book: a very interesting structure), and on the odd and dark side, inviting a crustacean to dinner to be dinner (gulp. poor Lenny!) and the mystery of a pair of wet pants. The Very Impatient Butterfly is my fave of the lot, and going to join my book shelves.
ReplyDeleteI liked the cartoon format of SMELL MY FOOT and it isvery funny. This might be a very early chapter book or early reader.
ReplyDeleteI have not been blessed with an easy wit spilling out onto my manuscripts but once in a while I uncover a nugget of humor to flavor my character driven, heart felt stories.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I wish I wrote them too!
ReplyDeleteSmell my foot! How many times did I play that as a child lol - and my own kids too. A favorite for sure and a great reminder to look for the little silly moments in life.
ReplyDeleteI love humor in picture books, especially when it's unexpected. Great list!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Very impatient caterpillar. I will explore the other books also. I haven't tried to write a funny book and I think its a good idea.
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes! Yes! Humor makes the world go ‘round.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some great examples- inspired to learn from these!
ReplyDeleteLoved the subversive humor and twists and turns in Lenny the Lobster. This book was new to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for some great examples of humor. THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR is my favorite on this list.
ReplyDeleteLove these humor titles! Humor is what I long to put in my stories (as a writer who tends to gravitate toward poetic and quiet). These are great examples to study and model!
ReplyDeleteI was only able to get my hands on #5 and #1 and LOVED them. I love reading these kind of books to children. My hope is that I will be able to develop this craft to create something where children will let out a belly laugh.
ReplyDeleteAlways appreciate some humorous picture books. There were a couple here I hadn't read before. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo so so funny. Love this list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant suggestions - The Very Impatient Caterpillar is one of my all-time favorites too!
ReplyDeleteFunny can be so tricky to do well (for me, at least) - thanks for these mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing these funny books to my attention. I generally don't gravitate toward books like these, but I will try something new today!
ReplyDeleteMaking people laugh is such an important thing. But, I have to be careful it doesn't turn into a comedy routine that could be played out on stage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun titles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these titles!
ReplyDeleteThe titles pulled me in. Genius. Lessons disguised as laughter. Kind lessons. Thanks for a great list of mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteThe sheer joy in every cover!
ReplyDeleteI’m so excited my library had 4 of your recommended books. The Very Impatient Catepillar had already been one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love a humorous picture book! Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI loved all of these! Smell My Foot! even enchanted an 8 year old who struggles with reading. I'm such a believer in humor both for encouraging interest in reading and for helping kiddos navigate the challenges of childhood.
ReplyDelete