Weird but True: 300 Outrageous Facts

This book will have kids totally hooked! There are totally crazy facts on every page that will keep kids flipping until the very end. I would definitely keep this in the classroom. It's an interesting and creative way to get kids more excited about reading.

 Weird but true: 300 outrageous facts. (2010). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.  

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

This hilarious retelling of the Three Little Pigs is written in the wolf's perspective! This story lets the reader know that the whole thing was a misunderstanding and an accident. The wolf tells readers that he had a bad cold and that was what caused him to blow down the pigs' houses. It is very entertaining. 

This book would work wonderfully for a read aloud, and could also be incorporated into a lesson about perspective or point of view. 

Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (1989). The true story of the 3 little pigs. New York, N.Y., U.S.A.: Viking Kestrel.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

This collection of hilarious, insightful, meaningful poems by Shel Silverstein is so perfect for any classroom. Whether the reader is learning of the importance of taking out the garbage or knowing how to do math with money, that reader will be laughing all through this book. It is a personal favorite of mine and I can't wait to someday share it with students.

 Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the sidewalk ends: The poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein. New York: Harper and Row.  

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

This collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky is perfect for an occasional read aloud and a place in any classroom library! His poems are humorous and fun.

 Prelutsky, J., & Stevenson, J. (1996). A pizza the size of the sun: Poems. New York: Greenwillow Books. 

Hoot

This novel has middle-schooler Roy Eberhardt starting over as the new kid in school once again. Bullies and loneliness haunt his daily life. Roy becomes fascinated by endangered burrowing owls that reside in his new town. He teams up with two unlikely allies and together they form a plan to save these endangered creatures. The New York Daily News called Hoot "offbeat" and "hilarious". It is very likable and is certainly worth a read. I will certainly include it in my classroom and may even use it for a read aloud or even a novel study in upper grades.

 Hiaasen, C., & Knopf, I. (2002). Hoot. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

The Cat's Pajamas

This is a book of idioms written by Wallace Edwards. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful while also providing a lot of humor!

This book is perfect for a read aloud. I used it to teach a lesson on idioms. The photos are very literal and help to demonstrate that idioms are not meant to be taken literally, but figuratively. You're guaranteed a laugh on most pages! The story does not have much of a plot, but it is a very fun read.

Edwards, W. (2010). The cat's pajamas. Toronto: Kids Can Press.

Chopsticks

Rosenthal, A., & Magoon, S. (2012). Chopsticks. New York: Disney/Hyperion.

This is an adorable, humorous picture book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Amy's website (link in previous sentence) contains many fun activities!

This book tells the story of a pair of chopsticks that do everything together. Then, one chopstick suffers an injury (he breaks in half) and the two are forced to spend time apart while the injured stick recovers. The book is full of laughs and puns. Right on the front cover, it says “Not exactly a sequel to Spoon. More like a change in place setting.” The two chopsticks learn the importance of independence and functioning on their own.

This book teaches a very important lesson to young kids. While it is important to stick together with friends, it is also important to learn to stand on your own. This book gives kids a valuable lesson while at the same time avoiding cheesiness and including humor. It is perfect for a quick read-aloud to help infuse some laughs into the classroom setting!

Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores

This book was written by James Howe and illustrated by Amy Walrod.

It was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Shuster Children's Publishing Division.

"A girl mouse must do what a girl mouse must do."

In this charming tale of three best friends, Horace, Morris, and Dolores, Dolores must decide what to do when the Horace and Morris join a boys-only club. Naturally, she joins a girls-only club. The three soon begin to miss their days of friendship and adventure, and ultimately start a new club in which everyone is welcome. 

This is a great story of friendship, overcoming obstacles, and equality! 

There are some lesson plans available online to accompany this book.