Best funny books for kids
The best funny books for kids include Ada Twist, Scientist, Dog Man and Narwhal and Jelly. Humour is the easiest hook for a child who says reading is boring, and a funny series gives them a reason to pick up the next book.
12 books, checked for age-appropriate content. Updated .
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 6–8
Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty
Ada is an endlessly curious girl who loves to ask why, what, and how. When a terrible smell fills her house, she launches into a full-scale scientific investigation to track down the source. Told in lively rhyming verse with bright, expressive illustrations, this playful picture book celebrates perseverance, curiosity, and the joy of trying things out, even when experiments make a giant mess. Young readers will relate to Ada's energetic quest to understand how the world works.
- 2
Ages 6–11
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
When a police officer and his loyal police dog are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery creates Dog Man—part dog, part policeman, and wholly dedicated to justice. While struggling with doggy habits like chasing balls, he must protect the city from the scheming villain Petey the Cat. Told through lively, full-color comic panels with interactive flip-o-ramas, this fast-paced story appeals to young and reluctant readers through slapstick humor, warmth, and relentless energy.
- 3
Ages 6–8
Narwhal and Jelly
by Ben Clanton
Meet happy-go-lucky Narwhal and slightly cynical Jellyfish in this delightful early graphic novel. Despite their opposite personalities, the two sea creatures bond over a shared love of waffles, imaginative make-believe, and playful underwater adventures. Told across three short stories with sweet, simple illustrations, this lighthearted tale charms beginning readers with gentle silliness and a heartwarming celebration of friendship.
- 4
Ages 9–11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley is starting middle school, where undersized weaklings like him share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. To survive, he records his daily misadventures, family annoyances, and flawed plans for popularity in an illustrated journal. Written in a sharp, self-absorbed voice and packed with cartoon sketches, it offers a laugh-out-loud look at adolescent insecurity that reluctant and avid readers alike find hilarious.
- 5
Ages 6–8
Fantastic Mr. Fox
by Roald Dahl
Mr Fox is clever, daring, and always one step ahead of the three meanest farmers around: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. When they join forces and bring heavy machinery to dig him out of his home, Mr Fox must come up with a brilliant plan to save his family and the other woodland animals. Full of energy, snappy dialogue, and playful mischief, this fast-paced story delights children with its battle of wits between a cunning hero and ridiculous villains.
- 6
Ages 9–11
Matilda
by Roald Dahl
Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinarily bright little girl, but her selfish parents treat her like a nuisance. When she starts school, she finds a warm friend in her teacher, Miss Honey, but faces a terrifying headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who despises children. Matilda soon discovers she possesses a surprising special power that just might help her fight back. Packed with Dahl's signature mischievous humor, it is a fun, empowering story about brains triumphing over bullies.
- 7
Ages 9–14
Malgudi Schooldays
by R.K. Narayan
Ten-year-old Swaminathan navigates the ups and downs of childhood in the charming fictional town of Malgudi in colonial India. Between dodging strict teachers, dreaming about cricket matches with his friends, and getting tangled in small daily rebellions, Swami finds everyday life full of drama and amusement. R.K. Narayan captures the innocence, humour, and fleeting anxieties of school days with warm, gentle storytelling that young readers will easily relate to.
- 8
Ages 6–8
Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia is starting her first day as a housekeeper for the Rogers family, armed with a list of household chores. Because she takes every instruction completely literally, she dresses the chicken in tiny clothes, dusts the furniture with dusting powder, and draws the drapes on a sheet of paper. Early readers delight in the silly mix-ups and wordplay, giggling along as Amelia Bedelia turns an ordinary day of housework upside down.
- 9
Ages 9–11
The Terrible Two
by Mac Barnett & Jory John
When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he expects to quickly claim his title as the school's top trickster. To his surprise, the town already has an undercover prank genius of its own. What begins as a hilarious turf war between two clever rivals gradually turns into an alliance against their strict, cow-obsessed principal. Packed with witty diagrams, dry humor, and elaborate schemes, this fast-paced story delivers laugh-out-loud fun that keeps children hooked from the very start.
- 10
Ages 6–8
Judy Moody
by Megan McDonald
Feisty third-grader Judy Moody starts a new school year in a famously foul mood, dreading the typical getting-to-know-you assignments. Things take a turn when her teacher asks everyone to create a collage all about themselves. With help from her best friend Rocky and her annoying younger brother Stink, Judy dives into funny projects and quirky mishaps. Young readers love Judy's relatable temper tantrums, lively humor, and big personality.
- 11
Ages 9–11
The Lemonade War
by Jacqueline Davies
Siblings Evan and Jessie have always gotten along, but when Jessie skips a grade to join Evan's class, their rivalry explodes into an all-out summer business war. Each sibling sets up a lemonade stand to see who can earn one hundred dollars first, using clever marketing, price wars, and underhanded tactics. The story blends relatable sibling conflict with fun, real-world business concepts like profit margins and franchise models. Young readers will enjoy the brisk pace and clever strategies as the tension between brother and sister rises.
- 12
Ages 6–11
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
Nine-year-old Pippi Longstocking lives entirely on her own in Villa Villekulla, accompanied by her pet monkey and a horse on the porch. With mismatched stockings, super strength, and a bag full of gold coins, she cheerfully turns sensible rules upside down. Alongside her well-behaved neighbor friends, Tommy and Annika, Pippi turns everyday routines into chaotic games. Children love her boundless independence, fierce loyalty, and the pure fun of an absurdly capable hero who answers to nobody.
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