Books that will amuse a bunch of second graders?

March 11, 2008 10:52 AM

Can you suggest some books that will make a bunch of second graders laugh? I am scheduled as "Surprise Reader" in my son's second grade class this week, and I need some new (to me) humorous and/or weird picture books to read to the class. Previously William Steig and David Greenberg ("Slugs", "Snakes", and "Bugs") have gone over well, but I need some new material! Thanks!
posted by chr1sb0y to writing & language (24 comments total)

I think this one was wonderful. My 7 year old and 4 year old concur.
posted by erebora at 10:59 AM on March 11

Roald Dahl
posted by Static Vagabond at 11:01 AM on March 11

The Stupids! My son thought they were the absolute funniest thing ever for years. Or, Captain Underpants, but they're a little too raunchy for me to read aloud to a whole group of second graders - YMMV. If it has to be educational, how about Math Curse?
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:02 AM on March 11

Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks, a book of poetry by Calef Brown.
posted by padraigin at 11:02 AM on March 11

My 7 year old cousin liked McBroom's Wonderful One Acre Farm. It's got a lot of ridiculous exclamations and general silliness.
posted by electroboy at 11:03 AM on March 11

OP HERE: Sorry - let me add that I only have 20-25 minutes to read, so chapter books are mostly out - except in cases where I could read a single chapter and it would be satisfying....
posted by chr1sb0y at 11:05 AM on March 11

Fungus The Bogeyman.
posted by jack_mo at 11:13 AM on March 11

Seconding Polka Bats. It's very, very good and very, very silly.
posted by cooker girl at 11:13 AM on March 11

Stinky Cheese Man!
posted by Hugh2d2 at 11:16 AM on March 11

Seconding Stinky Cheese Man! I was just coming to post that! Or The Math Curse, by the same author. Jon Scieska or something like that.
posted by orangemiles at 11:21 AM on March 11

I was just coming to suggest the Stinky Cheese Man too. Or maybe some Shel Silverstein.
posted by MsMolly at 11:49 AM on March 11

There are fifty books by Dr. Seuss that would work. I think well of "On Beyond Zebra".
posted by Class Goat at 11:50 AM on March 11

I'll second Silverstein!
posted by Shepherd at 11:54 AM on March 11

I think Jules Feiffer is hilarious. His hit, Bark George, might be to elementary for second graders, but he's written or illustrated a bunch more stuff that will be just right for them. I like By the Side of the Road.
posted by keith0718 at 12:09 PM on March 11

Not sure which Steig you read, but my kids (7 and 3-1/2) looooved The Amazing Bone, which lends itself to very enthusiastic readings. Otherwise, the other titles suggested are also great.
posted by mosk at 12:10 PM on March 11

Sideways Stories from the Wayside School.
posted by easy_being_green at 12:12 PM on March 11

The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit, hands down. It's about a mole trying to figure out which animal pooped on its head. My 8/4-year-olds love it, and laugh every time.
posted by liquado at 12:24 PM on March 11

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby is quite funny, an offshoot of Captain Underpants, directed to a younger crowd.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 12:24 PM on March 11

For that age group my pick would be "The Secret Knowledge of Grownups", a collection of rules parents make and the REAL reason they enforce those rules. You have to play it totally straight though, give them a big spiel about how none of this information you are about to impart can leave the room upon pain of death/imprisonment. There is a sequel too by Wisnieswski. If it is a smart bunch of children you can end your session by having them come up their their own RULES, the OFFICIAL REASON and the TRUTH. "For example, "Grown-up Rule #31: Eat your vegetables" is followed by "Official Reason: They're good for you." This leads to "The Truth: You don't eat vegetables because they're good for you. You eat vegetables to k...." Here the document is torn as if by an enemy, and a turn of the page reveals, in oversize type: "to keep them under control!" A tyrannosaurus-style broccoli stalk marauds across the accompanying illustration, joined in its depredations by equally sinister carrots, radishes, etc." via Publishers Weekly.

Because it has self-contained chapters (although it IS a picture book) you can read as much or as little as you would like without ruining a story arc (and I guarantee you will leave them begging for more).

I've read thousands of books to children over the years and the rule of thumb is to read a couple of grade levels above their current reading comprehension because your intonation gives context to any words they may not immediately understand. This is a relatively little-known book, there is nothing worse then pulling out your carefully choosen book and having a smart-aleckly kid call out "Oh we've all read that one" (always bring a couple of backups or be ready to do improve storytelling) . It would be doubly awesome if you came to class in disguise - your son will definately be known as having the coolest dad.
posted by saucysault at 2:31 PM on March 11

Sideways Stories is great, but I remember loving Amelia Bedelia at that age because the jokes were dumb enough for me to get. :)
posted by reebear at 2:54 PM on March 11

Stinky Cheese FTW!
posted by sperose at 3:21 PM on March 11

I just asked a speech therapist who little kids love (she is a frequent recipient of hugs and excited cries of 'Mrs. K!!!!!!') and she recommends Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder.
posted by pearl228 at 6:17 PM on March 11

My niece and nephew cannot say enough good things about Arnie the Doughnut (and other books by that author) and Skippy Jon Jones (from my experience, Skippy is a lot of fun to read outloud)
posted by jodic at 9:32 PM on March 11

Purple Ronnie..

Okay, probably not good for the kids but, man.. check it out.
posted by mbatch at 1:45 PM on March 12