Looking for some short, silly stories to share with preschoolers and kindergartners during storytime? The picture books below provide plenty of laughs and sight gags that will tickle the funny bone.
Small Saul
Small Saul loves the sea, but when he learns he’s too short to join the Navy, he decides to become a sailor in a different way – by enrolling in Pirate College! Granted he prefers giving gifts to people as opposed to taking their valuables, but as pirates aren’t picky, Saul winds up sailing on the Rusty Squid alongside a crew of rough and tough seafarers.
But soon Saul’s tendency to spruce up the ship cabins with flowers or show off his “tough” bunny tattoo annoy his shipmates so much so that they push him overboard! Will Saul be able to survive alone and adrift at sea? And will the pirates ever learn that Saul really is a good pirate – in his own way?
Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, creator of the Binky the Space Cat graphic novels, Small Saul charms with its constant stream of sight gags (the scenes showing Saul standing next to the Navy’s height requirement bar and popping breath mints into his captain’s mouth are particularly funny). And while the ending might be a bit too convenient and saccharine, it still works for a goofy story about acceptance.
Without You
Rabbit and Pig usually love reading, painting, and playing together – but when the two get into a fight, they decide they’re better off without each other and stalk off to sulk. Slowly, however, the two discover that while they can still do all their favorite things by themselves, playing alone isn’t nearly as much fun as sharing with each other.
Canadian artist Geneviève Côté’s playful illustrations of Rabbit and Pig show obvious inspiration from sibling rivalry as the animals stubbornly refuse to play with each other, only to gradually put aside their differences when they realize they’d rather be together. While the story may be a bit too precious for older readers, both kids and adults will have a hard time not cracking a smile at the cute and funny animal pictures.
Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party
Paranoid rodent Scaredy Squirrel is terrified of ponies and confetti – so when his next birthday party rolls around, he decides to carefully plan a small celebration complete with carrots on fishing rods (to lure away pesky ponies), a tent (to shield people from falling confetti), and only one guest – himself!
Unfortunately, when Scaredy decides to invite a second guest, he sees his carefully ordered plan fall apart when his invitation brings not one but several rowdy party guests! Can the uptight squirrel recover in time to enjoy his birthday party?
The latest in author/artist Mélanie Watt’s popular Scaredy Squirrel picture book series, Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party will delight kids with Scaredy’s intricate blueprints and plans for his low-key party, which are hilariously destroyed amid the chaos of the actual party. A fun book to share with kids during storytime.
Find more great books to share with kids at Read Aloud Books with Hyperactive and Quiet Kids and Fun Read Aloud Picture and Board Books for Kids.
Côté, Geneviève. Without You. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-55453-620-7
Spires, Ashley. Small Saul. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-55453-503-3
Watt, Mélanie. Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-55453-468-5
Michael Jung - Michael Jung is a professional writer, children’s literature specialist, and online book dealer whose articles, reviews, interviews, ...
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