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Learning and laughing (20+ baby-little child best books) is the second book list reviewed and suggested for you. These mostly funny books jumped from the “kid bookshelf” be included in this collection.

What makes us laugh and why is this relevant?

• things that are surprising or inconsistent are perceived as being funny.
• a person is amused when there is a difference between what they expect and what is delivered.
• this is incongruity is the basis of many puns, jokes, slapstick and satire.

Connection between learning and laughter

Comedy Increases Attention and Recall

Amusement stimulates motivation and longterm memory (by activating the brain’s dopamine reward pathways). 

• Humor starts wonder.
• Wonder starts learning.
• Then, it won’t be a surprise that studies found that more news facts leaned from humorous news shows like The Daily Show or The Colbert Report are recalled than from those learned from other news sources (newspapers, CNN, Fox etc)

Humor Increases Interest

• Sesame Street has used the power of humor to both engage and increase the retention of their what young viewers were taught.
• Even better, once engaged studies showed that these children retained more information from non-humorous segments that followed. 

Humor Increases Creativity and Divergent Thinking

Humor creates a fun mood and environment which encourages original or creativity thinking.

So, here is a detailed excellent review of humor, laughter, learning and health.

Babies as young as three months begin to appreciate humor (think about the baby belly laughs with peek-a-boo).

Hence, this list of Learning and Laughing (20+ best baby-young child books).

Note:

• Almost all the books on this list are amusing.
• The ones that aren’t require reflective thought, to allow for discussion about feelings. 
• Unfortunately, some of these books are available only in used markets  (marked so you will know).
• The ages recommended by the publisher must be modified with each child. Many children are ready for these books at far younger ages than the publisher suggests.

1. Oh No, George! By Chris Haughton: Ages 2-5

The illustrations art bright, simple. Therefore, the interactive questions add the mischief George gets into.

2. The Quiet Book: Author: Deborah Underwood Illustrator: Renata Liwska Ages 4-6

Gentle muted color illustrations of expressive characters illustrate the many meanings and emotions associated with “quiet” . Therefore, this would would generate some wonderful discussions by three year olds.

3. Harold and The Purple Crayon: by Crockett Johnson Ages 4-8

Wonderful evolving line drawings illustrate the text. Highly creative.

Highly Creative: Learning and Laughing

4. Ricky Rocky Ringo: Count on Pizza by Mauri Kunnas No ages listed However, 2-3 year visitors love this book: Must find a used copy

Ricky the Rhino plans a pizza party for 9 cousins. This is a great counting book with fun and colorful illustrations and a hidden (or not so hidden) cat on most pages that the listener loves to look for. Also very fun and extremely interactive.

5. Winnie and Wilbur: Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul Ages baby-5

Fabulous illustrations accompany humorous text.

 6. Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder Ages 3-18

Visually Unique and Engaging: Learning and Laughing

The images on each page move as you open them. In addition, colorful and well chosen vocabulary accompany the moving pages. Therefore, it is interesting for young and old.

7. Ghost Train: A Spooky Hologram Book by Stephen Wyllie illustrated by Brian Lee Ages 6 and up. My four year old great nephew had it read to him nightly for weeks. Unfortunately, you will have to get a used copy.

The interest of this book is small holographic inserts add to the large illustrations. While it is exciting and fun, some children are totally absorbed by it.

8. Art and Max by David Weisner Ages 5-8

David Weisner is a Caldecott winner. Therefore, this book has beautiful colors and interesting line drawings. Light on text.

9. I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont Illustrated by David Catrow Ages 4-7

A bright book with silly colorful splashes of color. Also full of fun, color, creativity, and I don’t want to spoil the text. Especially apt for the child who colors on walls.

10. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs By Judi Barrett Illustrated by Roald Barrett Ages 4-8

Detailed artistic crosshatch illustrations make this book delightful.  In addition, the story is extremely imaginative and suggests out-of-the-box thinking.

11. Dinner with Fox by Stephen Wylie  Illustrator: Korky Paul Ages 6-8 You must get a used copy. Worth the search, this is a favorite.

This is a magical pop up book with flaps and sliders that involve pots, doors, ovens  and more. Also detailed and interesting illustrations accompany the clever text that engages little listeners.

12. Beware of Boys by Tony Blundell Ages 6-7

Also must be found used.

Fabulous illustrations to accompany clever, humorous text.

Books for Struggles With Toddlers: Hair Washing and Hygiene, Fear of the Dark, Siblings and Relevance: Learning and Laughing

13. There’s a Nightmare in My Closet Written and Illustrated by Mercer Mayer Ages 4- 8 years

Childhood fear of the dark and exercise in imaginative exaggeration. In addition, the colored pen and ink illustrations (like all Mercer Mayer books) are expressive and engaging. 

14. Murgatroyd’s Garden  Author: Judy Zavos Illustrator: Drahos Zak . Listed as Ages 5-8…more like 3 year bath “aversive”. Available as a used book.

This is book, for the child who does want to get their hair washed.  Detailed black ink drawings and vivid color illustrations. While the story is amusing, it gets small ones through bath time.

 15. Koala Lou Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Pamela Lofts Ages 4-7

Beautifully illustrated, this a lovely book about trying hard, being an older sibling and still being loved for who you are.

Books that are Silly and Imaginative: Learning and Laughing

16. Matthew and the Midnight Turkeys  Author: Allen Morgan  Illustrator Michael Martchenko Ages 4- 7

A silly imaginative book for children and their readers.  Illustrations are bright with lots of visual appeal. In fact, this is our favorite of the “Matthew” series.

17. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak Ages 5-7

This is a silly book with nonsense words and absurd statements. However, most kids laugh out loud and request repetitive readings.

Books that are Quiet and Reflective

18. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen  Illustrated by John Schoenherr Ages 3-7 Caldecott award

Quiet book with beautiful illustrations. Great bedtime listen especially for a nature loving child.

19. Cookies: Bite-Sized Life Lessons Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by Jane Dyer Ages 3-6

This book has beautiful description and definitions of emotions. It is also illustrated with fabulous pictures 

20. Zen Shorts by Jon Muth Ages 4-8 Caldecott Honor Book

Every child needs to have this read to them. In addition, every adult needs this book in their library. Beautiful artwork accompanies rich text and important thought-provoking stories.

21. Little Bear’s Friend by Elise Holmelund Minarik Illustrated by Maurice Sendak Ages 4-8 Also an “I can read book level 1”

Classic lovely story that can “grow’ with the child. In addition, beautiful illustrations accompany comforting text.

22. One by Kathryn Otoshi Ages 4-6

Teaches about counting, numbers and primary and secondary colors while it has an interesting take on accepting each other. 

Books that are Just Great Fun: Learning and Laughing

23. Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens Ages 4-6

Read the large double page paintings vertically. The wonderful lazy bear and the industrious rabbit family characters are beautifully executed. In addition, the book is fun and it teaches about how vegetables grow. 

24. My Little Sister Ate One Hare By Bill Grossman Ages 4-8

Very funny, beautifully illustrated counting book with “child-funny” rhymes. In fact, children love the ending.

25. Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh Ages 4-7

Bright watercolor washed ink-cartoons illustrate this very funny and creative book.

Books that are Irreverent, and Unexpected 

These book may contain language you prefer to explain or read differently but remain delightful, and though provoking. 

26. Dr Dog by Babette Cole Ages 3-7

Health and hygiene issues described in a humorous way. (Never scratch your bum and suck your thumb)

27. Princess Smarty Pants by Babette Cole Ages 4-8

Female empowering fairy tale illustrated with comical watercolors.  Therefore, not the usual or expected by the listener, the reader, or the prince.

In case you missed the collection of baby books, or reasons that you must have reading in a child’s life, find it here.