Does your boy resist reading?  Having difficulty getting them to pick up that book? The solution? Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Two years ago, when struggling with getting my then-K2 to start reading on a more regular basis, I picked out a "Humor book" from NLB. I still remember vividly, how ds1 complained that there were a lot of pages (about 60 pages) in that book. Pinning on the hope that he may be enticed by the funny story and finish the whole book in one sitting (actually there are only a few lines in each of the 60 pages), I merely told him that he could stop after 3-4 pages and continue the next day if he wished. 20 minutes later, he told me (proudly) that he finished the whole book and the story is quite funny. Bingo! So hence started our journey down the funny lane….

1.Horrible Series Handbooks (Suitable for K2 to P1)

From the many discussions in the forum, the popularity of this series of non-fiction books is undeniable. Besides the easy-to-read format, what makes this series a hit with my boy is its humour. Parents with children who are reluctant readers should start off with Horrible Series’ Handbooks – they are fully coloured and not too thick or intimidating to the child. Even my N2 boy loves to look and laugh at the graphic squishy brain featured in the many pages of Horrible Science Handbooks’ ‘Bulging Brain Experiments’ (by Nick Arnold) and his ‘Monster Boy’, a stitched-up character who is a regular in these books (ok, maybe they are a bit too gory for preschoolers, so do exercise discretion ;))

2.Of Mice and Men Boys (Suitable for K2 – Lower Pri)

Mice in the form of Stilton and Thea (in Geronimo Stilton series) is a hit with lower primary students. Wimps like The Wimpy Kid (by Jeff Kinney) and our very own Local Amos in Diary of Amos Lee (by Adeline Foo)tickled the reader with their unusual yet usual whinny encounters.

Then we discovered Stink (by Megan McDonald).  What’s up with boys’ interest in slapstick humor

 

 

 

3. Alternative Fairtale Stories (Suitable for K2-P1)

Seriously, they are very silly stories. To my boy, they make Classic Fairytale’s storyline appeared lame. They are stories that poke fun at our beloved classics. Laurence Anholt’s Seriously Silly Stories is a hit with my boys (he even has the Seriously Silly Colours Series for my N2).

 

 

 

4.Exaggerated Stories (Suitable for Preschoolers)

Imagine, ham that is green, hopping on your dad (pop), moo-ing like a cow; these are Dr Seuss Classics that attract toddlers by their exaggerated characters and storyline. My N2 (and my) favs will have to be some of the other books in the Seuss Series – Because a Little Bug went Ka-Choo (for maximum reading pleasure, remember to add in those sound effects!), and Peter Eastman’s Fred and Ted’s funny adventures. Or fly away with Tedd Arnold’s Fly Guy to find out how this small a disgusting bug can draw out that big a laugh from your little guy – and Fly Guy’s books have shiny covers too!

So, for parents of reluctant readers (particularly boys), junk those classic Gingerbread man or boring goodie-two shoes books and start laughing away!

(PS: So, what funny books have you read with your kids recently? Share away!)