The Cake

 The Cake 

Dorothee de Monfreid

 

 A very simple story with bright illustrations and a great punchline.  We do love good punchlines!

 

Spells

Spells

Emily Gravett

 

A twist on the fairytale genre with a pretty classic punchline.  The artwork has a collage feel to it and so detailed you find a new element hidden each time.  Some fun interactive elements too.

The Lazy Friend

The Lazy Friend

Ronan Badel

 A very sweet wordless story about unconditional friendship.  Great full page drawings.  In the tradition of "The Chicken Thief"

The GIANT Jam Sandwich

The GIANT Jam Sandwich

John Vernon Lord

 

 This is a classic rhyming story from my childhood and it has a magic to it which I can't put my finger on but there is certainly something awesome about seeing how you would go about making and cooking a giant loaf of bread, cutting it and making it into a sandwich.  Cool colourful illustrations too.

The Gas We Pass

The Gas We Pass

Shinta Cho

Who said education had to be dull and boring right?  This book combines facts with hilarious illustrations and sometimes laugh out loud text.  It's a favourite at our place but only because we love anything fart related.  Teeheeheee farts!  It looks like this one is out of print (WHAT!) but Amazon has copies and there's sure to be some out there in the second hand universe...

Honourable mention here for Everybody Poops and Who's Poo.  Both mildly amusing but not good enough for their own posts here sorry. (In our opinion anyway)

Press Here

Press Here

Herve Tullet

 

 

Herve Tullet has produced many graphically simple books for young kids but this one has to be his best.  Such a simple concept but produced so creatively and effectively.  Your toddler will be enthralled by the variety of activities in this gem.

BANG

BANG

Leo Timmers

 We fell in love with the BRIGHT and clever illustrations in this cute picture book so we had to buy it.  I have since bought it for my 4 year old nephew and he and his little sister enjoyed it so much repeatedly it had to be repaired after a couple of days.  Aunty win!  There are so many little details in the pictures you will find new things every time you open it.

Red Sled

Red Sled

Lita Judge

 The best way to read this (almost) wordless story is with great vigour.  The more over the top you are, the more your kids will enjoy it.  I think it's charming and we all love the two page spread illustrations.  Lita Judge has also done a second book along the same lines called "Red Hat" which is sort of a sequel but we like the sled one best.

The Chicken Thief

The Chicken Thief

Beatrice Rodriquez

 This little  picture book tells the story of a kidnapped chicken all without the use of any words.  The illustrations cover the whole page and are often two page spreads.  Our kids have loved "reading" this tale over and over again.  The author has since done a couple of follow ups but we like the original best.

Dinosaurs Beware!

Dinosaurs Beware!: A Safety Guide

Marc Brown
Stephen Krensky

When we were kids we were allowed to pick two books from the Lucky Book Club catalog at school each time it came out.  One year I chose The Little Mermaid and Dinosaurs Beware!  Both of which I still have because I treasured them.  There is nothing that clever about the writing in this book, it's basically a list of dos and don'ts for remaining safe in a dangerous world.  Where this book shines is in the illustrations.  They are cute, clear and illustrate the points sometimes hilariously!
  

I Need a New Bum

I Need a New Bum

Dawn McMillan
Ross Kinnaird

We fully embrace toilet humour in our house so I was thrilled to receive this rhyming book for my birthday.  The kid character is cute, the illustrations are fun and bright, the ideas are crazy... and although we enjoy it... the punchline is a little bit of a let down.  It's still worth getting out of the library to try it and I'm sure your kids will have a good giggle so you may end up buying it after all!

Monsters Eat Whiny Children

Monsters Eat Whiny Children

Bruce Eric Kaplan

I found this book randomly at the library one day and thought it was hilarious!  Sadly my kids didn't think so :(  I think the jokes were a bit "parent-in-joke" for them and the illustrations, while fun, weren't colourful enough to hold their attention.  So; brilliant for adults, probably good for older kids (over 9).

Mind Your Gramma!

Mind Your Gramma!

Yvonne Morrison
Nikki Slade Robinson

Our heroine is misunderstood by her Grandmother but that does not hinder their sweet relationship.  A humorous exploration of grammar and it's misuse.  Are you a fan of correct grammar?  Perhaps your friend's Facebook posts drive you crazy?  This is the book for you.  It's published in New Zealand so click the link on the title to find it online.

Grandpa's Cardigan

Grandpa's Cardigan

Joy Watson
Wendy Hodder

Grandpa's Cardigan tells the story of an old grumpy grandad who is ordered by his wife to buy a new cardigan.  He shops around and around until he finds one he likes and the one he likes is.... I'm not going to tell you; it would spoil the good punchline at the end!  Which is why we liked this book.  There are others in the Grandpa's this that and the other series but we reckon this one is the best.  Unfortunately it seems to be out of print.  Scholastic - Bring back Grandpa's Cardigan!!!

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner / The King Who Rained

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner

Fred Gwynne

 We love puns and plays on words in our house and these two books are wonderful for teaching children these clever uses of language.  The illustrations are big, bright and in a colour pencil style.  Some of the references are a bit old "lambs gambling on the lawn" (The King who Rained) but with some explanation can still get a laugh.  Better for kids from about age 7.

The King Who Rained

Fred Gwynne