10+ Best Funny Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for a way to tickle the funny bone of your little one? Dive into our handpicked selection of funny books for 5-year-olds that are guaranteed to bring giggles and laughter to your reading time. Whether you're reading together at bedtime or encouraging them to flip through pages on their own, these delightful picks are perfect for young readers. Keep reading to discover our favorite funny books for 5-year-olds that are sure to be a hit!

Fun Funny Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, and when the bus driver takes a break, the pigeon tries every persuasive trick to get a chance to drive.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and hilarious, encouraging children to say "No" to the pigeon throughout the book, which builds decision-making skills and keeps them engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive reading and those who enjoy humor.

• The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book (despite its title!)
  • Synopsis: This innovative book proves that words alone can be fun as it forces the reader to say silly and entertaining things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demonstrates the power of text and encourages imagination, showing that words can be as entertaining as pictures.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate humor and parents looking for a fun, engaging read-aloud experience.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: The crayons have had enough! Each color writes a letter to their owner, Duncan, explaining why they're tired of coloring the same old things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a creative twist on storytelling and teaches diversity and perspective through the crayons' varied complaints and demands.
  • Perfect for: Children who love drawing and coloring, and those who can appreciate a good laugh.

• There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Humor
  • Synopsis: A little monster has found its way into the book and the reader must try various interactive methods to get it out.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's playful and engaging, making reading a dynamic activity that involves physical movements like tilting and shaking the book.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive play and those who need a lively, engaging story to keep them interested in reading.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Dragons love tacos, but there's one thing they can't stand in their tacos—spicy salsa! This book explores what happens when they accidentally eat some.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantastical creatures with silly scenarios to create a fun and memorable reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love dragons and fun, whimsical stories.

Educational Funny Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A little chicken keeps interrupting bedtime stories because she can't resist jumping into classic fairy tales to save the characters from making mistakes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Listening skills, understanding of classic stories, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on the bedtime routine that encourages children to interact with and think about stories in a creative way.
  • Perfect for: Children who love storytelling and those who enjoy a good giggle before bed.

• Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
  • Genre(s): Humor, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A group of dust bunnies love to rhyme all the time, except for Bob who seems a bit off but might just save the day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, phonetic awareness, quick thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's playful and the rhymes are catchy, which makes it a great tool for learning phonics and having fun with language.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are beginning to read and enjoy rhymes and rhythmic stories.

• The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This book tells the well-known story of the Three Little Pigs from the perspective of the Wolf, who insists that it was all a big misunderstanding.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perspective-taking, critical thinking, narrative skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fresh and funny twist on a classic story, encouraging kids to consider different sides of a story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and exploring different viewpoints.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Humor, Alphabet
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet chant that sees all the letters climbing up a coconut tree until their weight causes them to tumble down.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and music in language, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text and bold colorful illustrations make learning the alphabet an exciting and joyful experience.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are learning the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic reads.

Challenging Funny Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Mr. Tiger lives in a very proper town, but he longs to let loose and be wild. One day, he decides to go on an adventure to find where he truly belongs.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces themes of individuality and social conformity in a way that is accessible yet thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful tale that encourages children to embrace their unique selves and find joy in authenticity.
  • Perfect for: Kids who feel a bit different and are learning to celebrate their individuality.

• Olivia by Ian Falconer
  • Genre(s): Humor, Family Life
  • Synopsis: Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. She dreams big, plays hard, and tests the limits of her patient mother.
  • Why this book is challenging: Olivia's adventures and misadventures are presented in sophisticated language and complex sentence structures that challenge young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: Olivia's spirited antics are not only funny but also relatable, offering a glimpse into daily family dynamics and the challenges of growing up.
  • Perfect for: Energetic kids who have big imaginations and parents who appreciate a touch of sass and class in children's books.

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Henry loves books, but not like you and I love books. He loves to eat them! But consuming too many books too fast leads to trouble.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of a boy eating books to gain knowledge is a metaphor that introduces abstract thinking and inferential comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and imaginative story that playfully explores the love of reading and the desire to learn.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are curious and adventurous, and anyone who enjoys a quirky story with a unique twist.

• Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, and he throws his shoe to dislodge it, but that gets stuck too. This leads to an increasingly absurd series of objects being thrown up the tree.
  • Why this book is challenging: The escalating absurdity of the story challenges young readers to follow complex cause-and-effect sequences and predict outcomes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's wildly imaginative and laugh-out-loud funny, encouraging creative problem-solving and persistence.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love silly stories and those who enjoy seeing a simple problem spiral into ridiculous proportions.

• This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A little fish has stolen a hat from a big fish and is quite confident that he will get away with it. But will he?
  • Why this book is challenging: The minimalistic text and the interplay between the pictures and words offer a sophisticated narrative style that requires interpretive skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a smart, subtly witty book with a dry humor that appeals to both children and adults. The story provides a gentle introduction to the concept of consequences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a bit of mischief and learning about right and wrong in a fun and engaging way.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading can be a blast, especially with books that make us laugh! If you're exploring funny books with your 5-year-old, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop their reading habits while keeping the giggles going. These activities are designed to be fun and educational, enhancing the reading experience.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Browse through the book and discuss the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Helps children predict the story and stimulates their imagination.
  • Tips: Ask questions about what they see and how it might relate to the story.

• Character Voices
  • What it is: Read the dialogue using different voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading session more engaging and helps in understanding character emotions.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the voices for characters and encourage them to participate.

• Funny Word Hunt
  • What it is: Look for and list funny words or phrases in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps in recognizing sight words.
  • Tips: Make it a game to see who can find the most funny words.

• Retell the Story
  • What it is: After reading, have your child retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to mention their favorite parts or any funny moments.

• Draw the Scene
  • What it is: Draw a scene or a character from the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps with visual memory.
  • Tips: Display their artwork prominently to show that their work is valued.

By incorporating these simple and fun exercises into your reading routine, you not only enhance the joy of reading but also foster a deeper connection with books. Remember, the goal is to make reading a fun and habitual part of your child's daily life. Enjoy the laughter and learning together!