31 Days, 31 Lists: Day Twenty-One – 2017 Funny Books for Older Readers

Considering the degree to which I beat the drum in honor of funny books for kids, you’re going to find today’s list a bit on the paltry side. As such, I’d like to assure you that it should not be considered complete in any way for the year of 2017. I liked a whole slew of these books, and found them very funny, but there are many others that I have missed. Consider this a starting point for your funny reading of 2017 then. And if you see some repetition with other lists, so much the better. Here with very short notes:

2017 Funny Books for Older Readers

The Adventures of Kung Fu Robot: How to Make a Peanut Butter, Jelly & Kung Fu Sandwich by Jason Bays

Funniest Moment: Oh, when Kung-Fu robot is wielding the ninja attached to the plunger (is his name Steve?) like a weapon. Or maybe it’s just Steve’s existence itself.

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner

Funniest Moment: Hard call. Anything to do with the wolf, I’d say. That kind of restrained, almost British, humor is a perfect counterweight to the panicky fox.

Funny Girl by Betsy Bird

Funniest Moment: The whole darn thing. I ain’t picking sides!

I’m Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harris, ill. Lane Smith

Funniest Moment: Definitely the lullaby for the baby. My kids have had me reread that one approximately a million times.

Jake the Fake Keeps It Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, ill. by Keith Knight

Funniest Moment: Two words – unicorn poo.

Mega Princess by Kelly Thompson, ill. Brianne Drouhard, colored by M. Victoria Robado, lettered by Warren Montgomery

Funniest Moment: Hm. The dry wit of the pony is good, but that doesn’t really count as a “moment”. How about when the blowfish sees the shark?

Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Other Planets by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Funniest Moment: How do you decide? Maybe the funniest/scariest moment with the lightsaber is the best.

Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres

Funniest Moment: My librarians agreed. Sniffing your hair to figure out if you smell like tacos is definitely the best.

Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers by John Dougherty

Funniest Moment: The badgers attempt to convince our heroes that they’re not badgers. Please note the coffee cup one of them is holding that reads “World’s Bets Badger”.

The Wizard’s Dog by Eric Kahn Gale

Funniest Moment: Stupid door! Pretty much anything involving that door.

Interested in the other lists of the month? Here’s the schedule so that you can keep checking back:

December 1 – Board Books

December 2 – Board Book Reprints & Adaptations

December 3 – Wordless Picture Books

December 4 – Picture Book Readalouds

December 5 – Rhyming Picture Books

December 6 – Alphabet Books

December 7 – Funny Picture Books

December 8 – CaldeNotts

December 9 – Picture Book Reprints

December 10 – Math Picture Books

December 11 – Bilingual Books

December 12 – Translated Picture Books

December 13 – Books with a Message

December 14 – Fabulous Photography

December 15 – Fairy Tales / Folktales

December 16 – Oddest Books of the Year

December 17 – Poetry Books

December 18 – Easy Books

December 19 – Early Chapter Books

December 20 – Comics for Kids

December 21 – Older Funny Books

December 22 – Fictionalized Nonfiction

December 23 – American History

December 24 – Science & Nature Books

December 25 – Transcendent Holiday Picture Books

December 26 – Unique Biographies

December 27 – Nonfiction Picture Books

December 28 – Nonfiction Chapter Books

December 29 – Fiction Reprints

December 30 – Middle Grade Novels

December 31 – Picture Books

Filed under: Best Books, Best Books of 2017