Books About Laughter

The Best Laughter Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about laughter? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Laughter

Sale price

$1900

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1995

The Jester Has Lost His Jingle

By David Saltzman

A jester seeks laughter in a world gone silent.

64 pages· 1,420 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 246 ratings

$20.00Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a kingdom where laughter has vanished, a jester and his companion Pharley embark on a quest to restore joy. Their journey leads them to a bustling city, where they encounter a sick little girl who holds the key to laughter's return. Can they bring back the joy that the world desperately needs, or will silence reign forever? Discover how laughter can heal and transform even the most troubled hearts.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

Don't Laugh, Joe!

By Keiko Kasza

A giggling possum faces danger when a bear appears.

Charlotte Zolotow Honor (1998)

32 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 230 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Joe, a young possum, can't stop giggling, even when he needs to play dead. But when a grumpy bear emerges from the woods, Joe must overcome his laughter to survive. Can he master the art of playing dead in time, or will his giggles lead to trouble?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2013

The Beatles Were Fab

By Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, Stacy Innerst (Illustrator)

Four lads from Liverpool rise to fame, facing chaos with humor.

40 pages· 1,917 words· Est. 15 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 476 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the 1960s, four unknown Liverpool musicians skyrocketed to fame, becoming the Beatles. Their journey through Beatlemania is filled with humor and chaos, as they navigate adoring fans and unexpected challenges. How did their wit help them endure the frenzy, and what surprises awaited them on their path to becoming legends? Discover the story behind the Fab Four's meteoric rise and the laughter that kept them grounded amidst the whirlwind of fame.

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2010

Lincoln Tells a Joke

By Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, Stacy Innerst (Illustrator)

Discover how humor helped Lincoln navigate a divided nation.

40 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 392 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Amidst a nation at war and personal tragedies, Abraham Lincoln found solace in humor. This biography reveals how his wit and love for storytelling lightened even the darkest moments. What drove this great leader to laugh in the face of adversity? Explore the unexpected side of Lincoln, where laughter became his secret weapon against life's challenges. Uncover the stories behind his clever quips and how they shaped his presidency. Can humor truly change the course of history?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2015

Henry Hyena, Why Won't You Laugh?

By Doug Jantzen, Jean Claude (Illustrator)

A hyena loses his laugh. Can a wise giraffe help him find it again?

32 pages· 489 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

3.8/5 Goodreads · 109 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Henry Hyena, once the zoo's laughter king, suddenly can't find his funny bone. His usual antics with monkeys and hares no longer amuse him. Desperate to rediscover his joy, Henry seeks the wisdom of Dr. Long, a sage giraffe. Will this unexpected encounter unlock the secret to laughter and happiness? Join Henry on a heartwarming journey to reclaim his giggles and discover the surprising solution that awaits.

Sale price

$379

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010

Tickled Pink

By Victoria Kann · Pinkalicious series

A laugh-off challenge tests Pinkalicious's humor and creativity.

24 pages· 686 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

3.8/5 Goodreads · 594 ratings

$3.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Pinkalicious faces a hilarious challenge when Tiffany dares her to a laugh-off. With the pressure to craft the ultimate joke, Pinkalicious must dig deep into her creativity. Will she win the contest, or will the journey itself be the real prize? Join her in a pink-tastic adventure filled with giggles and unexpected twists.

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 3–8 · 2009

Class Clown

By Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

Can a natural-born comedian stop making everyone laugh?

32 pages· 638 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

3.8/5 Goodreads · 316 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Leonardo's humor has been his hallmark since birth, but when his teacher demands he curb his comedic antics, he's faced with an impossible challenge. Can he suppress his funny bone long enough for the class to learn, or will his irresistible urge to entertain get the better of him? As he struggles to stay serious, the classroom becomes a stage for unexpected hilarity. Will Leonardo's promise to never be funny again hold, or will laughter prove too powerful to resist? Discover the chaos and charm of a boy who just can't stop being funny.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 2–5 · 1972

The Funny Little Woman

By Arlene Mosel, Blair Lent

A woman chases a dumpling and faces three-eyed oni in Old Japan.

Caldecott Medal (1973)

40 pages· 846 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,848 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Old Japan, a cheerful woman finds herself in a whimsical chase after her runaway dumpling. Her journey takes a perilous turn when she encounters the mischievous three-eyed oni. Can her wit and laughter outsmart these wicked creatures? This tale blends humor and suspense, inviting readers into a world where traditional Japanese art and storytelling come alive. Will she reclaim her dumpling and escape the oni's clutches, or will the tricksters have the last laugh? Dive into this enchanting adventure filled with unexpected twists and delightful illustrations.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2022

The Greatest in the World!

By Ben Clanton · Book #1 in the Tater Tales series

Two potato siblings compete in wild challenges to prove who's the greatest, judged by their little sister.

88 pages· 1,960 words· Est. 30 min read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 426 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Rot, a mutant potato, feels like the greatest in the world, but his brother Snot disagrees. To settle their rivalry, they embark on a series of zany contests judged by their sister Tot. From muddy sack races to hot potato rolls, the stakes rise and their sibling rivalry spirals. Can this tater trio find out who truly is the greatest, or will their antics lead to unexpected revelations? Dive into this laugh-out-loud adventure where sibling rivalry meets potato hilarity.

If You Laugh, I'm Starting This Book Over

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

If You Laugh, I'm Starting This Book Over

By Chris Harris, Serge Bloch (Illustrator)

Can you resist laughing when told not to? Try and see!

40 pages· 923 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

3.3/5 Goodreads · 345 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In this interactive picture book, the reader dares you not to laugh. But as the pages turn, the challenge becomes hilariously impossible. With silly twists and goofy illustrations, each attempt to stay serious only invites more giggles. Will you make it to the end without starting over? Dive into this laugh-out-loud adventure and find out!

The Bookroo Book Club