5 Laugh-Out-Loud Funny Early Readers and Beginner Chapter Books

The hilarious Level One early reader features a group of fleas all racing to the top of the mountain, hoping to be king. But when the mountain starts to move, is it an earthquake or something else? The world might be bigger than any of the fleas first thought. There’s a twist at the end that’s genuinely surprising (and laugh-inducing) for both younger readers and any grown-up friends who are listening.

Parents, teachers, and other grown-ups might be a little queasy about giving kids a book all about poop. But I dare you to find a new reader who won’t laugh their way through this Level Two early reader. Humans might like to waste their poop (pun intended) by flushing it down the toilet. But many animals use poop to make houses, for defense, and even for food. What might start as a silly gross-out book turns into a curiosity-inducing, fascinating collection of animal facts.

This book of silly poems is a really nice bridge between early readers and chapter books. It reminded me of Shel Silverstein, but perhaps even funnier and more experimental. Harris plays with format by adding poems in footnotes, the glossary, and other unexpected places. He writes in villanelles, haikus, limericks, haiku-limericks, and more! Most are unbelievably silly, but there are some sweetly sincere poems as well. And if your young reader enjoys it, you can also check out his first poetry collection, I’m Just No Good at Rhyming.

Venus is a very literal eight-year-old who wishes everyone would just say exactly what they mean. When her grandfather says, “Your grandma put her foot in this lasagna,” Venus is horrified. Is the secret ingredient in her second-favorite food actually toes? She sets out to investigate with the twins who live next door. Hilarious misunderstandings and fun wordplay ensue, accompanied by black-and-white illustrations. This book comes in at just under 100 pages, and the character feels like a perfect mix between Junie B. Jones and Amelia Bedelia.

This chapter book comes in at 160 pages and tells the story of a bumbling postmouse. His first day delivering mail is filled with pranks, puns, and potty humor. It’s not easy being the new mouse on the job…especially when he has a confusing name due to an unfortunate birth certificate error. But with the help of an overly enthusiastic rabbit, he will deliver the mail safely and pay the pranksters back for giving him a hard time. Plus, the charming and emotive two-color illustrations that accompany Marty’s story add even more laughs while reading!