Books that will amuse a bunch of second graders?
March 11, 2008 10:52 AM   Subscribe

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 (23 answers total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
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, 2008


Roald Dahl
posted by Static Vagabond at 11:01 AM on March 11, 2008


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, 2008


Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks, a book of poetry by Calef Brown.
posted by padraigin at 11:02 AM on March 11, 2008


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, 2008


Response by poster: 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, 2008


Fungus The Bogeyman.
posted by jack_mo at 11:13 AM on March 11, 2008


Seconding Polka Bats. It's very, very good and very, very silly.
posted by cooker girl at 11:13 AM on March 11, 2008


Stinky Cheese Man!
posted by Hugh2d2 at 11:16 AM on March 11, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


I'll second Silverstein!
posted by Shepherd at 11:54 AM on March 11, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008




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, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


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, 2008


Purple Ronnie..

Okay, probably not good for the kids but, man.. check it out.
posted by mbatch at 1:45 PM on March 12, 2008


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