Wacky Reads for Kids

Enjoy some of these off-the-wall, bonkers books!

Updated August 1, 2025
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I want to be a vase
Torres, Julio (Comedian)
Paper Book
Former SNL writer and comedic rising star Julio Torres takes readers on a journey through the lives and intimate dramas of some of the unsung shapes of our time in this picture book inspired by his HBO special My Favorite Shapes. Shapes. You've heard of them. You might...
Don't trust fish
Sharpson, Neil
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat "A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." --Kirkus, starred review Why...
The truth about the couch
Rubin, Adam
Paper Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dragons Love Tacos comes this hilarious picture book about everyone's favorite piece of furniture. Pssst! Hey. I'm here to tell ya what the furniture police don't want you to know... Listen close. I'll explain...
Best frints at skrool
Portis, Antoinette
Paper Book
On planet Boborp, all the childrinx go to skrool, just like here on planet Earth. Omek and Yelfred are always late, but it's okay because they are always late together, and everyone knows that best frints do everything together. That is, until Yelfred meets Q-B. Omek is...
Who ate Steve?
Lloyd, Susannah
Paper Book
A hilariously quirky mini mystery reminiscent of Jon Klassen's classic I Want My Hat Back. Welcome to this extremely interesting book about size. Marcel is a bird and he is big. Steve is a worm, and he is . . . Wait a minute! Steve has DISAPPEARED! Does Marcel know something...
Pretty ugly : a Toon book
Sedaris, David
Paper Book
Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year winner for ages 6 to 8 Most Anticipated Books of 2024 List, Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Kids Books List - February, Barnes & Noble Kids Indie Next Pick March/April 2024 2025 Capitol Choices A...
P is for pterodactyl : the worst alphabet book ever ; all the letters that misbehave and make words nearly impossible to pronounce
Haldar, Raj
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller! A "raucous trip through the odd corners of our alphabet." --The New York Times Let's get real--the English language is bizarre. A might be for apple, but it's also for aisle and aeons. Why does the word "gnat" start with a G but the word "knot" doesn't...
The backwards birthday party
Chapin, Tom
Paper Book
Have a happy birthday--the backwards way! Full of fun and based on the hit song from Tom Chapin and John Forster, this is a celebratory birthday bash like no other. Put your clothes on inside out, heat up the ice cream, and hang on to your party hats--because everything's out of...
A giraffe did one
Pallotta, Jerry
Paper Book
A herd of elk do it while running. A pride of lions do it while sunning. A giraffe did one up high with a shake. When the elephant does it, watch out! It sounds like an EARTHQUAKE! This humorous reminder on good manners will have readers giggling and guessing just what...
Hats are not for cats!
Rayner, Jacqueline K.
Paper Book
Are hats for cats?! A big, bossy dog and a determined cat disagree. This funny rhyming romp--with a large cast of cats and hats--leads readers to the perfect conclusion: Hats are for everyone! A big, severe, plaid-hat-wearing dog insists that the small black cat in the red...
Buddy and the bunnies in Don't play with your food
Shea, Bob
Paper Book
From the hilarious creator of Chez Bob comes this silly-but-sweet story about a (not-at-all-scary) monster who tries to play with his prey! Rah! Buddy's a monster, and he's hungry! Time for all cute little bunnies to hop into his...
Imogene's antlers
Small, David
Paper Book
This whimsical story of a little girl who wakes one morning to discover she has grown antlers has delighted children since it was first published 15 years ago. The perfect Christmas present for any kid looking forward to a visit from Santa's reindeer--or any reader looking for some year-long fun!...
Still stuck
Yoshitake, Shinsuke
Paper Book
Getting dressed and undressed can be difficult, especially for little ones. While getting ready for a bath one evening, a little boy gets stuck in his clothes. He panics and starts to fear what life would be like if he never got unstuck. How will he play outside? How will he stop the cat from...
Don't feed the coos!
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
The dynamic team behind Llama Destroys the World returns with a laugh-out-loud tale about the dangers...of feeding pigeons! When you see a coo, you will be tempted to give it a treat. Coos are adorable, peaceful, kind of silly. But DON'T...
I do not eat children
Cutler, Marcus
Paper Book
A smooth-talking monster gets what's coming to him in this funny and slyly subversive picture book for fans of There's a Monster in Your Book and We Don't Eat Our Classmates. A big orange creature lurks in a crowded playground...but...
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
Barrett, Judi.
Paper Book
The classic children's book and inspiration behind a hit animated film, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a whimsical and imaginative picture book that has delighted generations of readers. The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town--except...
On Account of the Gum
Rex, Adam.
Ebook
On Account of the Gum is a book about how the best intentions lead to some of the worst (and funniest) ideas! Serious humor abounds in this story about one kid's hilarious misadventures with gum, and the cumulative buildup of stuff stuck in hair. From the madcap mind of...
I can only draw worms
Mabbitt, Will
Paper Book
A hilarious picture book in bright, neon colors that is perfect for fans of The Book With No Pictures and The Day the Crayons Quit. This is part counting book, part introduction to worms, but all superbly silly. The fact that the author/illustrator can only draw...
The boy who looked like Lincoln
Reiss, Mike.
Paper Book
Mike Reiss, writer for The Simpsons, and David Catrow, honored twice with a New York Times best illustrated book of the year, have joined forces once again for their quirkiest book yet. Benjy has an unusual problem. He looks just like Abraham Lincoln-right down to the wart and...
The book with no pictures
Novak, B. J.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian--a perfect gift for any special occasion! You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious....
Fear the bunny
Morris, Richard T.
Paper Book
Bunnies--not tigers--rule the forest in this adorable take on William Blake's classic poem. Bunnies, bunnies, burning bright In the forests of the night-- Wait, bunnies?! Yes, bunnies. Tigers may be the most feared animal in some<...
The wonky donkey
Smith, Craig
Paper Book
This hysterical read-aloud and viral hit is also available as a board book! With over two million copies sold in the United States alone, readers are in love with this spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey! The international blockbuster by Craig Smith...
Are you eating candy without me?
Malesevic, Draga Jenny
Paper Book
"A book as sweet as the candy that fills its pages." - Kirkus Reviews In this delightfully illustrated picture book, readers explore the original FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as four children imagine what wild, zany, and impossible adventures the adults in their lives must...
Don't think of tigers
Latimer, Alex
Paper Book
Dream up anything you like, dear reader, and watch it come to life on the next page--just no tigers! This fun read-aloud about creativity and perspeverance will have your reader giggling and inspired, all while our hero learns that with a bit of practice, even the wildest challenges can be tamed....
You're going to love this book!
John, Jory
Paper Book
Sure to bring a smile to the faces of even the grumpiest readers, this laugh-out-loud picture book from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Jory John and internationally acclaimed illustrator Olivier Tallec is hilarious enough to come back to again and again. ...
Great, now we've got barbarians!
Eaton, Jason Carter
Paper Book
An untidy kid sets off a pest invasion like no other in this boisterously fun picture book about the perils of messy habits. Playing and having fun is a kid's job, right? Cleaning up is a parent's job, right? Why do grown-ups make such a fuss about tidiness and cleanliness,...
The saddest toilet in the world
Apple, Sam
Paper Book
In a cheeky and hilarious picture book, author Sam Apple and illustrator Sam Ricks share a silly story about the potty-training experience...from the toilet's point of view! Danny would sit anywhere and everywhere: a comfy couch, a bean bag chair, his mom's lap, a playground...
My pictures after the storm
Veillé, Éric
Paper Book
With its funky format, clever rhymes, and funny images, My Pictures after the Storm is a witty and inventive take on "before" and "after." What happens to a lion after a storm? His mane is swept into a disheveled mess. What becomes of a pear after an elephant passes by?...

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