10+ Best Funny Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for a way to tickle the funny bone of your little one? You're in the right spot! Our roundup of funny books for 4-year-olds is packed with giggles and laughs that are perfect for preschoolers. Whether it's storytime or bedtime, these books are sure to bring joy and laughter to both of you. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that will have your four-year-old laughing out loud!

Fun Funny Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
  • Genre(s): Humor
  • Synopsis: This innovative book proves that words alone can be hilariously entertaining as it forces the reader to say silly and preposterous things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the fun and power of reading and shows that words on a page can be unexpectedly delightful.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and parents who love to entertain their children through reading aloud.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, but needs the reader's permission. Throughout the book, the pigeon tries every persuasive trick to get the reader's approval to drive the bus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and funny, encouraging children to participate in reading by answering the pigeon's pleas.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive stories and showing off their decision-making skills.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This book explores the love dragons have for tacos and the chaos that ensues when they accidentally eat spicy salsa.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantastical creatures with a quirky storyline to keep both kids and adults entertained.
  • Perfect for: Children who love dragons and fun, and parents looking for a playful and engaging bedtime story.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The crayons have had enough! Each crayon writes a letter to their owner, expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique perspective on everyday objects and encourages creativity and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys creative storytelling and colorful illustrations.

• We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Penelope Rex is surprised to find out that all of her classmates are children, and she must resist the urge to eat them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on school life and learning to get along with others, perfect for children starting school.
  • Perfect for: Kids beginning their educational journey and those who appreciate a good laugh about the challenges of school life.

Educational Funny Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A little chicken interrupts bedtime stories to save the characters from making mistakes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Listening skills, understanding narrative structure, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious and interactive book that encourages participation and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to be part of the story and parents seeking a fun way to discuss the importance of listening.

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fairy Tale, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book offers a humorous twist on the classic tale, told from the perspective of the wolf who insists his side of the story is the truth.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, perspective-taking, narrative skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fresh take on a familiar story, teaching kids that there are two sides to every story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and exploring different viewpoints.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Humor, Circular Tale, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A boy gives a mouse a cookie, setting off a chain of events where the mouse keeps asking for more things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, sequencing, prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful circular story that teaches children about consequences and predictions in a very funny way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love stories that build on repetitive and predictable scenarios.

• The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley
  • Genre(s): Humor, Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The cumulative tale of a three-legged, one-eyed donkey, which gets sillier with each page.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, musical rhythm, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it a catchy and hilarious read that kids will want to hear over and over.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy singing along and those who appreciate a good laugh with quirky characters.

• Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A homeless dog named Arfy writes letters to various residents on Butternut Street, hoping to find a forever home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, letter writing, persuasive skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a touching story, encouraging children to think about empathy and the joy of finding a home.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and parents who want to introduce themes of compassion and adoption.

Challenging Funny Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
  • Genre(s): Humor, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A group of enthusiastic dust bunnies love to rhyme all the time, except for Bob who seems to have trouble staying on beat.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book plays with rhyming and non-rhyming words in a way that challenges young readers to identify patterns and anomalies in language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a laugh-out-loud funny book that cleverly introduces early phonetic concepts through humor and quirky characters.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to learn about rhymes and those who enjoy playful language.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to keep would-be predators at bay in the deep dark wood.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sophisticated narrative structure and rich vocabulary provide a more complex reading experience for advanced young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a thrilling adventure and clever problem-solving, wrapped in delightful rhymes and vivid illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good adventure and animals, and those who appreciate stories where brains outwit brawn.

• I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A bear has lost his hat and politely questions the other animals he meets about its whereabouts, with an unexpected twist.
  • Why this book is challenging: The minimalist text and the reliance on visual cues for humor require keen observation and inference skills, which are advanced for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a masterclass in comic timing and subtlety, with a dry humor that appeals to both children and adults.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy mystery, animals, and a good laugh, especially one with a subtle twist.

• Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Absurd Comedy
  • Synopsis: When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he throws increasingly absurd items up to try to get it down.
  • Why this book is challenging: The escalating absurdity of the narrative challenges young readers to follow complex cause-and-effect reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an uproarious exploration of problem-solving and creativity, with a hilarious buildup that keeps readers guessing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who delight in outlandish scenarios and parents looking for a story that encourages thinking outside the box.

• The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
  • Genre(s): Humor
  • Synopsis: This innovative book proves that words alone can be hilariously entertaining as it forces the reader to say silly and preposterous things.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of a picture book without pictures invites children to use their imagination to visualize the story, which is a sophisticated cognitive task for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the fun and power of reading and shows that words on a page can be unexpectedly delightful.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and parents who love to entertain their children through reading aloud.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading with your little one is not just about flipping through some funny books; it's about engaging them in a way that sets the foundation for good reading habits. Here are some playful exercises to make reading a hoot for your 4-year-old!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Look through the pictures of a book before reading it.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Funny Voice Reading
  • What it is: Read the book using different voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading session more engaging and fun.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the voice for each character to increase involvement.

• Spot the Silly Word
  • What it is: Identify and tally up funny words or phrases in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and focus on specific words.
  • Tips: Use stickers or counters to make the tallying fun and visual.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and recall.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting.

• Draw the Ending
  • What it is: Have your child draw a picture of how they think the story ended.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and understanding of the story structure.
  • Tips: Discuss the drawing with your child to understand their perspective.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make your reading time lively but also instill a love for books in your young reader. Happy reading and giggling!