
Simple shapes, bright colors, and a silly story combine to present basic concepts. This board book is sure to engage young children.
This Is a Book of Shapes

This rollicking barnyard show is filled with funny animals, a scarecrow host, and lots of lively language — just right for a joyous reading aloud. The repetition is sure to encourage participation as the silliness builds along with each rhyme.
The Farm That Mac Built

Middle school is never easy but 7th grade becomes particularly tough for Ross when he’s diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. In spite of his best friend preparing to move and being bullied for the effect of the grueling cancer treatment, Ross finds power in music and friendship — and discovers something about his nemesis. This uplifting, often humorous novel is based on the author’s experience.
Wink

Mango and Brash right the wrongs created by “crime, corruption, and confusion.” They are the InvestiGators, with an emphasis on gators, for Mango and Brash are alligators. Fast-paced and slightly goofy, this clever tale is sure to delight graphic novel and mystery aficionados alike.
InvestiGators

Is the object that Brain finds an eyeball or is it an egg, as Chick says? Can Chick — or anyone — convince him otherwise? Silliness abounds in image and word in this graphic novel by the creator of Newbery Honor winning El Deafo (opens in a new window).
Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball?

Readers know from the title page that the dog will not give up the spotlight. The dog is really a scruffy mutt who creates chaos and lots laughter as it peeks onto pages with other animals. Expressive animals appear on uncluttered colored backgrounds until the surprise conclusion.
This Is a Dog

It’s dark in the lighthouse home; everything is quiet, until it is not! Everyone in the large, extended family gets into the silliness — even the dog — until everyone falls asleep. Lively rhythmic language combines with energetic illustrations for a fun book to read and share.
Everyone’s Awake

Everyone has seen a housefly and many other familiar insects in this collection of short, lighthearted poems. Illustrations are humorous, adding verve and humor to the poems.
Common Critters: The Wildlife in Your Neighborhood

A small white dog and his human dad move in with a cat and a large dog and their human mom. Though the transition is tough, they make it — until a “Waaah!” joins the family. Understated, comical, and relatable, this experience is presented with expressive illustration and limited language.
Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family

No one is shocked by the six-eyed alien strolling around the Universal backlot. The tourists just think he’s part of the show. It doesn’t take long for Buddy to land a role on a popular TV show, playing (of course) an alien. He becomes an overnight heartthrob and is suddenly faced with legions of adoring fans, rides in glamorous limos, and appearances at red carpet parties. But can Buddy maintain his secret identity while in the spotlight? Winkler and Oliver keep readers laughing while slipping in a lesson — accept everyone as they are, even if they have suction cups for feet.
Alien Superstar (Book #1)

A meteorologist tries to enlighten the handsome but clueless anchorman about weather, weather forecasting, and climate. The comic book format presents complex information about climate change, balancing it with just the right amount of humor. Advice to prepare for emergency preparedness and a glossary are included. Transportation and car enthusiasts will enjoy Science Comics: Cars Engines that Move You (opens in a new window) by Dan Zettwoch.
Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate

Charles Schulz’s childhood seemed to portend his future work. Sparky (his nickname) enjoyed the newspaper comics, drew whenever he got the chance, was athletic, and had a dog with personality. Laid out as a comic strip, this brief, engaging, and revealing biography continues through Schulz’s military service during World War II and the creation of his classic strip, “Peanuts.” Additional information finishes the fascinating glimpse of a remarkable artist.
Born to Draw Comics: The Story of Charles Schulz and the Creation of Peanuts

Who said that there isn’t fact in fun? They haven’t met the heroes in this highly, hysterically illustrated space adventure. AlphaWolf, SmartHawk, LaserShark, and StinkBug explore the universe in their Thomas Jefferson Nose Rocket looking for a Goldilocks planet but find danger instead. Earth, the narrator, also provides information about climate change in this wild and witty adventure.
AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet

Although not likely, if one ever finds themselves stuck in quicksand, this is the book you need! Two children, one stuck in the muck, receives information about quicksand and how to respond if caught. Tomie dePaola’s signature illustrations are as witty and appealing as when the book first appeared in 1977.
The Quicksand Book

Peter and Ernesto and other sloths lose their tree homes — destroyed by a hurricane. Their search for a new home is fraught with danger — alligators, jaguars, and more (oh my!). Finally they find a new home with a surprising roommate. Limited text and cartoons tell a raucous, silly adventure, the second story in this series. (See also: Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths (opens in a new window))
Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths

Mac and Mac, empty-headed noodle brothers, want to fill their heads with knowledge. But how? Start at the library, of course! Traditional “noodlehead” tales are reimagined here quite literally and presented in comic book format. Filled with jokes and slapstick, humor abounds throughout each of three chapters. A note for adults about traditional story sources ends this latest addition to the Noodleheads.
Noodleheads: Fortress of Doom

Mr. Penguin and Colin, his Kung Fu kicking spider sidekick share another slapstick adventure. Will they and their new friends be able to thwart the nefarious Rodent Gang? Can they solve the mystery of the peculiar noises coming from the fortress? Lots of illustrations help move their adventure quickly to its satisfying conclusion in this followup adventure to Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure (opens in a new window).
Mr. Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets

When you can’t stop moving, we say you have “ants in your pants.” That’s because ants always are moving! Fascinating facts are presented in a generously illustrated, humorous but factual format — including what ants eat and what eats ants. This is a worthy addition to the author’s fascinating and accessible series.
Ants Don’t Wear Pants

A sterling storyteller and wonderful writer with a word-spinning pen turn Captain Rottingbones and his word-pilfering pirates into fantabulous farmers. Lush language and humorous illustrations capture the zany story which demands to be shared aloud. This is a fitting homage to this creative team’s friend (author and storyteller Margaret Mahy) and may lead readers to find additional tales.
The Word Pirates

One “famished fox “with 2 “sly eyes” and 10 “sharp teeth” gradually creeps up to an unsuspecting hen house. Suddenly, with feathers flying, “100 angry hems” scare off one “frightened fox.” Brief text and dramatic illustrations combine to present a tense, humorous, and very satisfying story combined with counting from 1 to 10.
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller

When the younger brother describes his sister, she’s pictured as a rhinoceros, a boring, bossy bully. Flip the book over, and it’s the sister who sees her brother as a noisy, annoying monkey. They come together to realize that maybe two kids in “the family isn’t so bad.” But then with a “Waaaa,” a third sibling arrives! This humorous look at sibling dynamics is sure to resonate.
Little Bro, Big Sis

Poor porcupine! No one will give the prickly (but needy) critter a hug. Not Lou the rabbit, not Ken the deer, not even big bear, Joe. They are all afraid of the green kiss-seeking snake. But porcupine isn’t! Animated, comical illustrations combine with conversation bubbles to tell a very funny, understated, and satisfying story.
I Need a Hug

Are hats for cats? Not according to a large dog that goes on to declare that no hats, big or small are simply “… not for cats at all.” The lively descriptions of all kinds of hats (pirate or party, silly or frilly) are accompanied by equally jaunty illustrations that convey not only action but cat and dog emotions finally affirming that “Hats are for everyone!”
Hats Are Not for Cats

Hally, the Tosis family dog, suffers from a very big problem: she has terrible breath. This, of course, is a major issue for the family and the Tosis’ entire community, until Hally saves the day! She thwarts serial burglars with her daunting exhalation. The silly and (sort of) gross humor first published in 1994 is available again.