When the going is tough, a good laugh from a good book keeps us going. Plus, we think humor is a great way to hook kids on the joys of reading. From foxes to pugs, frogs to wolves, these children's books characters crack us up, and were selected for our Best Books for Kids 2017 list. Have other books good for a laugh? Let us know in the comment section below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Alphabet Thief by Bill Richardson and illustrated by Roxanna Bikadoroff
Clever wordplay, madcap illustrations, and a driving rhythm make this jaunty rhyming book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank
Brought together by desegregation in the 1970s, two middle-schoolers unexpectedly form a friendship in this heartfelt and comical coming of age story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner and translated by Joe Johnson
What's a fox to do when he can't catch a chicken for dinner? Hatch his own, of course! But this is a lot harder than he thought, especially when they think he is Mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolivar by Sean Rubin
In this ode to NYC, there really is an antiquities-loving dinosaur living next door to Sybil!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas by Laura James and illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans
A silly, high-stakes adventure ensues when a water-fearing, jam-tart-loving pug follows his nose to the next picnic basket and gets separated from his girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Emily Hughes
Two charming brothers use their wits in their daily escapades. They gather friends for an impromptu party, discover the rewards of hard work, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Five Forms by Barbara McClintock
Magical chaos is created when a young girl discovers a mysterious book of martial art poses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Goat by Anne Fleming
When Kid catches a glimpse of a goat on her NYC rooftop, she embarks on a quest that involves her entire quirky community, leading them to face their fears and take a leap of faith.

 

 

 

 

Little Wolf's First Howling by Laura McGee Kvasnosky illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky & Kate Harvey McGee
Little Wolf can't help but follow the wild rhythm in his heart in this jazzy celebration of the creative spirit.

Olga & the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
What would you do if a strange, olive-eating, burping, farting creature appeared in your backyard? A self-assured young scientist systematically tries to figure out the mystery. Quirky graphics add to the fun.

The Queen of the Frogs by Davide Cali illustrated by Marco Somà and translated by Lynn Miller-Lachmann
Elegantly illustrated in rich earth tones, this thought-provoking modern fable invites readers to question tyranny and envision a bright future for all.

There's a Pest in the Garden by Jan Thomas
Duck and his friends defend their garden from a mysterious vegetable thief. A funny first reader.

The Wolf, the Duck & the Mouse by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Textured illustrations blend perfectly with this silly story of Duck and Mouse setting up house in Wolf's stomach.

Wolfie & Fly by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Zoe Si
An aloof girl, who prefers facts over friends, reluctantly teams up with a persistent neighbor for a cardboard submarine adventure.

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe by Megumi Iwasa and illustrated by Jun Takabatake
Bored and lonely, Giraffe exchanges letters with Penguin, and a long-distance friendship is born. Hilarity ensues when Giraffe tries to imagine what Penguin looks like.