Books for Laughing Together

Young children find humor in ridiculous situations, silly rhymes, and word plays. To get the joke, they need to use their thinking skills and draw on their knowledge and experiences; they must understand that a situation is absurd before they can find it funny. Sharing a joke is a great way to strengthen family ties. These books and activities will have you and your child laughing together in no time.
 

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems. 2003.
When the bus driver takes a break, he asks the reader to do one thing: “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.” Sounds easy enough, but the very determined pigeon tries everything to get behind the wheel, including, “No fair! I bet your mom would let me.” Children enjoy shouting out “No!” in response to the pigeon’s persistent requests. The illustrations are hilarious, and your child will readily identify with the pigeon’s pleading tone while at the same time recognizing that the pigeon is being ridiculously unreasonable.

Create your own humorous stories. As you read, stop and ask questions, like, “What makes this book funny?” “Would it still be funny if the pigeon’s requests were more sensible?” “Why [or why not]?”
When the story is over, you and your child can write your own silly tale. Then read the finished story aloud and illustrate it with crayons or markers. With a younger child, the two of you can simply enjoy the warmth and pleasure that laughing together brings.

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont. Illus. by David Catrow. 2005.
To the tune of “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More,” this book depicts an exuberant boy whose mama tells him, “Ya ain’t gonna paint no more,” after catching him painting pictures on the floors and walls, ceiling and furniture. But this boy just can’t help himself as he joyously paints his face, neck, arms, and more.

Think up new rhymes. When reading, invite your child to join in the fun and finish a rhyme. For example, when you read, “Aw, what the heck! Gonna paint my ______,” ask, “Can you think of a rhyme to add?”

Paint a mural. The illustrations in this book are particularly lively, and the paintings really do look like the work of a young child. After reading the book, tape a long sheet of paper to an outdoor fence or unroll it in the park or on the sidewalk. Provide paint and brushes, and see what the book’s illustrations inspire your child to paint. Or break out the bathtub crayons, and your child can create a mural while taking a bath.

A Isn’t for Fox: An Isn’t Alphabet, by Wendy Ulmer. Illus. by Laura Knorr. 2007.
“D isn’t for crow; it isn’t for snow. D is for dragons from times long ago.” This alphabet book has a sense of humor. You may be surprised by how often your child recognizes that the words do not match the letter. It’s fun for children to have an opportunity to show you what they know.

Mismatch and match letters with words. Invite your child to try his own matches and mismatches for alphabet letters. After reading a page, ask him to add his own isn’t and is words. Say, “What else isn’t D for?” or “What other words begin with D?” Offer paper, markers, and other materials for creating an alphabet book with mismatches and matches.

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