What makes a child laugh is personal. Some kids love ridiculous jokes and over-the-top characters. Others crack up at awkward situations, clever dialogue or characters dealing with the same school and friendship problems they experience themselves.
That variety is part of what makes funny children’s books so much fun to explore. Graphic novels, illustrated chapter books and read-alouds can all deliver humor in different ways, giving kids plenty of opportunities to find the kind of book that makes them want to read another.
And with a new school year underway, a book that feels purely fun can be an easy way to bring reading back into the daily routine.
10 Funny Books for Kids That’ll Keep Them Laughing
There’s no single recipe for making a kid laugh. These funny children’s books offer something for different ages, interests and senses of humor.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Author: Jeff Kinney
Age: 8-10
Greg is just trying to survive middle school, and he’s doing it very badly. Told through journal entries and doodles, the first book in this bestselling series turns awkward school moments into a laugh-out-loud comedy that keeps the story moving.
Why kids will love it: Greg’s humorous drawings and witty side commentary about middle school trials and tribulations can convert any reluctant reader.
The Complete Big Nate #15
Author: Lincoln Peirce
Age: 11-12
Nate Wright thinks he’s destined for greatness. Too bad his teachers don’t agree. Between forgotten homework and run-ins with authority, Nate’s confidence makes every school day disaster that much funnier. Not to mention, the comic-style illustrations keep the jokes moving quickly from page to page.
Why kids will love it: Nate’s school hijinks will have kids laughing, while Peirce’s comic illustrations will keep their attention glued to the page.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
Author: Dana Simpson
Age: 8-10
Phoebe is witty, and a little awkward. She’s best friends with Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, a unicorn who knows she’s breathtakingly beautiful, and isn’t shy about mentioning it. Their unlikely friendship is full of quick banter and magical mishaps, especially when Marigold’s enormous ego meets Phoebe’s very human problems.
Why kids will love it: A funny friendship between an ordinary kid and a very confident unicorn makes everyday into an adventure.
Cat Ninja Level 2: Cat Ninja to the Rescue!
Author: Matthew Cody and Yehudi Mercado
Age: 5-7
Claude may look like an ordinary house cat, but when trouble strikes, he becomes Cat Ninja, a masked hero ready to save the day. Superhero-sized action meets cat-sized problems, with colorful comic panels, secret identities and plenty of silliness along the way.
Why kids will love it: A crime-fighting cat and superhero action will be a crowd pleaser for any kid getting back into reading.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
Author: Dav Pilkey
Age: 8-10
Best friends George and Harold love pulling pranks and creating comics about Captain Underpants, their very own underwear-clad superhero. But when a prank involving their grumpy principal goes spectacularly wrong, their made-up hero becomes a little too real.
Why kids will love it: Superhero adventures, hilarious pranks and plenty of underwear jokes keep the laughs coming.
Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel #12: The First Samurai
Author: Elisabetta Dami and Leonardo Favia
Age: 8-10
Geronimo Stilton is much more comfortable running his newspaper than fighting bad guys. But when he travels to ancient Japan, this nervous mouse finds himself instead training with samurai and solving ancient mysteries. This book is perfect to get kids’ imaginations running while giving them a hearty laugh.
Why kids will love it: Geronimo may be a reluctant adventurer, but his nervous reactions make every close call more entertaining.
Judy Moody
Author: Megan McDonald
Age: 8-10
Judy Moody is starting third grade, and she’s not impressed. With big opinions, bigger moods and a flair for the dramatic, Judy turns everyday problems into a hilariously relatable back-to-school comedy.
Why kids will love it: Kids will recognize the big feelings behind Judy’s moods and laugh at the dramatic way she handles them.
Diary of a Fifth Grade Outlaw: Book 1
Author: Gina Loveless
Age: 8-10
Robin Loxley returns to Nottingham Elementary only to discover that things have changed. Her best friend is hanging out with the school bully, and Robin isn’t about to let that slide. Illustrated diary entries and plenty of school drama follow as Robin sets out to win her best friend back.
Why kids will love it: A familiar friendship problem turns into a funny, larger-than-life school adventure.
Dog Man #1
Author: Dav Pilkey
Age: 8-10
Part dog, part police officer, Dog Man tackles bad guys with plenty of enthusiasm, even when his canine instincts get in the way. Fast-moving comics, visual gags, strange villains and wonderfully weird action make this an easy book to keep picking back up.
Why kids will love it: Fast-paced comics and nonstop jokes will have kids itching to read more!
First Day Jitters
Author: Julie Danneberg
Age: 5-7
Sarah Jane Hartwell does not want to go to her new school. She doesn’t know anyone, and she’d much rather stay in bed, the kind of morning plenty of kids know well. As Mr. Hartwell tries to get her out the door, Sarah finds every reason not to go, until a clever twist puts those first-day jitters in a whole new light.
Why kids will love it: The funny surprise ending shows kids that they’re not the only ones who get nervous about the first day of school.
Make Reading the Fun Part of the Routine
The beginning of a new school year brings plenty of schedules, assignments and things kids have to do. Reading at home doesn’t always need to feel like one more item on that list.
Let your child browse funny books and choose the one that actually makes them want to start reading. Maybe they love comics. Maybe ridiculous characters get them every time. Maybe school stories are suddenly much funnier now that they’re back in a classroom themselves.
The goal is simple: Find the book that gets the first laugh, then see where it takes them.
Ready for a few laughs? Explore funny books for kids on Epic and find their next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What are some good, funny children’s books?
Some popular funny books for kids include Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Phoebe and Her Unicorn and Judy Moody. Younger readers may also enjoy humorous books like Cat Ninja to the Rescue and First Day Jitters.
▶ What are some funny read-alouds for kids?
Funny books with expressive characters, surprising situations and plenty of opportunities for silly voices can be especially fun to read aloud. First Day Jitters, Cat Ninja to the Rescue and Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood. are a few options from this list to explore together.
▶ What should kids read if they like Diary of a Wimpy Kid?
Kids who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid may also like Big Nate, Dog Man, Captain Underpants or Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw. These books mix humor with illustrations, comics and relatable school or friendship adventures.
▶ Can funny books help reluctant readers?
Funny books can give kids a reason to keep turning the pages and see what happens next. Most importantly, a book that makes them laugh can help reading feel more like fun and less like an assignment.
▶ How can I get my child back into reading before school starts?
Tap into what’s already on their mind. Try a story about first-day jitters, making new friends or heading into a new classroom. Books that reflect what’s ahead can build excitement for reading while giving kids an easy way to talk about how they’re feeling.
