More than just a joke book, this is a really a deep dive into the world of comedy. Plenty of one-liners, “story” jokes, delivery tips, profiles of comics, like Ben Stiller and Will Smith, and definitions of key vocabulary give kids all they need to learn to be a stand-up star. Horrid Henry and his brother, Perfect Peter, really make children laugh, and children want to read about them over and over again. Lots of stories to choose from, all resulting in giggles.

This publisher produces books with dyslexic children in mind, but they can be enjoyed by all children. This one, by the author of the popular Mr Gum series, is great. Matthew Buzzington has a special gift—he can turn himself into a fly—and you’ll never guess what his little sister can do. Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers by John Dougherty, illustrated by David Tazzyman (Oxford University Press)

Read our book review of Iguana Boy Saves the World with a Triple Cheese Pizza 5. Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery This book is hilarious! Stinkbomb and his little sister, Ketchup-Face, journey to the king to get help in dealing with a thieving badger. You have to read it to get the madness. Works with five to ten year olds. Spud Murphy, a battle-axe of a librarian, has forgotten that books are for enjoying. It takes a couple of children to sort things out. Brilliant fun visually as well as verbally. A quirky adventure in space where all sorts of cakey fiends are a threat to Astra and her family as they head for their new home on a distant planet. There are currently four books in the Dave Pigeon series, and I hope they keep coming. The stories are perfectly pitched at younger readers, with cheeky humour and an engaging first person narrative coupled with hilarious illustrations. Like Dave and Skipper, Swapna and Sheena make the perfect team!

Which joke books have your students laughing out loud? We’d love to hear about them in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Frank is into science and how things work, and he loves inventing stuff. When a lightning storm brings his robots Klink and Klank to life, things really begin to happen. I didn’t know that science—and there’s a lot of it in this book—could be so funny. Children never tire of Dahl and he’s riding high at the moment as the king of children’s theatre. This title is very popular but there are many more to choose from.Ada Goth lives a lonely life in Ghastly-Gorm Hall, but everything changes when she meets a ghostly mouse called Ishmael—a friend at last and one who helps her solve a great mystery. Great illustrations add to the book’s huge appeal. Who could resist a story that makes you laugh and is crammed full of chocolate? This adventure is a joy from start to finish, as we follow Jelly on her quest to stop the chocopocalypse. It also features my favourite fictional grandma! 3. The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle Frank Cottrell Boyce on why reading for pleasure is the most important thing you can pass on to a child The visual appeal of the titles in the Just Joking series is unparalleled. Jokes ARE funnier when presented in speech bubbles on photos of smiling wild animals. Heavy on the puns, break out this title when you study homophones. (What do you get if you deposit a skunk in your bank account? Dollars and scents.) 7. Roald Dahl Whoppsy-Wiffling Joke Book by Roald Dahl (2–6)