Comments on: Books that will amuse a bunch of second graders?

Question: Books that will amuse a bunch of second graders?

chr1sb0y — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:52:14 -0800

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!

By: erebora

erebora — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:59:27 -0800

I think this one was wonderful. My 7 year old and 4 year old concur.

By: Static Vagabond

Static Vagabond — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:01:24 -0800

Roald Dahl

By: mygothlaundry

mygothlaundry — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:02:39 -0800

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?

By: padraigin

padraigin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:02:53 -0800

Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks, a book of poetry by Calef Brown.

By: electroboy

electroboy — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:03:49 -0800

My 7 year old cousin liked McBroom's Wonderful One Acre Farm. It's got a lot of ridiculous exclamations and general silliness.

By: chr1sb0y

chr1sb0y — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:05:54 -0800

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....

By: jack_mo

jack_mo — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:13:01 -0800

Fungus The Bogeyman.

By: cooker girl

cooker girl — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:13:45 -0800

Seconding Polka Bats. It's very, very good and very, very silly.

By: Hugh2d2

Hugh2d2 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:16:23 -0800

Stinky Cheese Man!

By: orangemiles

orangemiles — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:21:48 -0800

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.

By: MsMolly

MsMolly — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:49:51 -0800

I was just coming to suggest the Stinky Cheese Man too. Or maybe some Shel Silverstein.

By: Class Goat

Class Goat — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:50:23 -0800

There are fifty books by Dr. Seuss that would work. I think well of "On Beyond Zebra".

By: Shepherd

Shepherd — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:54:13 -0800

I'll second Silverstein!

By: keith0718

keith0718 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:09:41 -0800

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.

By: mosk

mosk — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:10:45 -0800

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.

By: easy_being_green

easy_being_green — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:12:01 -0800

Sideways Stories from the Wayside School.

By: liquado

liquado — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:24:16 -0800

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.

By: BozoBurgerBonanza

BozoBurgerBonanza — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:24:23 -0800

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby is quite funny, an offshoot of Captain Underpants, directed to a younger crowd.

By: saucysault

saucysault — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:31:50 -0800

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.

By: reebear

reebear — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:54:27 -0800

Sideways Stories is great, but I remember loving Amelia Bedelia at that age because the jokes were dumb enough for me to get. :)

By: sperose

sperose — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:21:48 -0800

Stinky Cheese FTW!

By: pearl228

pearl228 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:17:58 -0800

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.

By: jodic

jodic — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:32:17 -0800

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)

By: mbatch

mbatch — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:45:05 -0800

Purple Ronnie..

Okay, probably not good for the kids but, man.. check it out.