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
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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