Laugh-Out-Loud Book Recommendations for Kids from the Teen Reading Ambassadors
The New York Public Library's Teen Reading Ambassadors internship program brings together 10th–12th grade students to help further the Library's mission to inspire lifelong learning in others, particularly young children. Ambassadors work at NYPL After School programs across the city providing tutoring and literacy enrichment activities to children ages 6–12. They also show children the joy of reading by connecting them with engaging books from the Library’s collections!
Love to laugh? The Teen Reading Ambassadors have compiled books for kids that are filled with humor and joy, featuring a confused mole, a curious cat, and even an excitable potato! We hope you will enjoy this laugh-out-loud collection as much as we do.
Jampires
by Sarah McIntyre and David O’Connell
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Walaa A., Chatham Square LibrarySam loves jam, he can never get enough. One night, as he gets ready to dig into a delicious jam-filled donut, he realizes it’s dry. The jam had been sucked out! Who was to blame? Sam sets a trap, stuffs the donut with ketchup, and waits under his covers ready to unmask the robber. When the jam thief falls for Sam’s trap he realizes they're Jampires! Join Sam on his exciting adventure in Jampires by Sarah McIntyre and David O’Connell to help solve the mystery of the missing jam and explore the far-away land of the Jampires!
My Dog Banana
written by Roxane Brouillard and illustrated by Giulia Sagramola
Ages 5–7
Recommended by Crystal F., High Bridge LibraryDo you like dogs? They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They are everywhere and you might see them on a walk every day… but wait, is that a BANANA?! In this funny book written by Roxane Brouillard and illustrated by Giulia Sagramola, we see a young boy walking his dog. However, everyone passing by insists a banana is at the end of the leash. What will happen at the end? Will the boy be able to prove he really has a dog? Dive into the book My Dog Banana to enjoy a fun ride with lots of laughs and a simple but charming visual—with a twist that will leave you laughing.
Off-Limits
by Helen Yoon
Ages 3–7
Recommended by Aaliyah T., Mariners Harbor LibraryDaddy’s office is off-limits, but it being off-limits makes it even more tempting to go in and touch stuff. It’s fine if we just look around, right? This is a story about a curious daughter who finds a different world in her daddy’s office. Who knows what she’ll discover! I guess we’ll just have to read to find out.
Mole in a Black & White Hole
by Tereza Sediva
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Izabell M., Macomb’s Bridge LibraryIs change scary? For Mole, it definitely is. Mole lives in a black and white hole. His only friend is a pink chandelier, who tells him about how amazing and colorful the world is outside Mole’s hole. Mole has tried to leave his hole before, but something always stops him. But one day, Mole’s life in the hole changes forever. Oh no! How will Mole react to terrifying change? Come along with Mole on his beautiful journey in Mole in a Black & White Hole by Tereza Sediva.
We Are in a Book!
by Mo Willems
Ages 4–8
Recommended by Brenda B., Hamilton Grange LibraryThis early reader Elephant and Piggie book, We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems tells the story of best friends, Elephant and Piggie, who have just discovered that they are in a book! It seems that Elephant and Piggie have never been in a book before, so how will they react to being read? This book teaches readers to be curious and ask questions. If you are quite curious like Elephant and Piggie, join them on the exciting journey of reading (and being read) right up to the very end! But once the fun starts, how can it ever end? Find out Elephant and Piggie’s super smart solution by reading We Are in a Book!
Inside Cat
by Brendan Wenzel
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Ashley V., Jerome Park LibraryDo you like looking out of windows to explore the world? Inside Cat sure does! This cat looks far and wide at the world through his building’s windows. Throughout this book we are on an adventure with Inside Cat seeing all that he can, through all different shaped- and sized-windows. Inside Cat gets introduced to different parts of his neighborhood big and small, but does he really see it all? Is there more to the world than what Inside Cat sees through the windows? Although this book is meant for a younger audience, I enjoyed reading it and I laughed quite a bit upon completing this story. Join Inside Cat on this wild and poetic adventure by Brendan Wenzel.
Bathe the Cat
written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts
Ages 4–7
Recommended by Sariah M., Wakefield LibraryIt’s time to clean the house before grandma comes over, but clean-up time becomes crazy when the family cat scrambles the to-do list just to avoid being bathed. How many times are the chores going to get mixed up before the house is clean? This is a great and funny book to read if you like family books with colorful illustrations! Read Bathe the Cat written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts to see if this cat will ever get bathed.
The Big Bed
written by Bunmi Laditan and illustrated by Tom Knight
Ages 3–6
Recommended by Yaha K., Woodstock Library“Who does mommy belong to?” the honest toddler asks. In The Big Bed, a young girl negotiates with her dad about who gets to sleep in the big bed with mommy. Mommy is so cozy and smells like fresh bread! Although she loves daddy very much, she feels as if he is taking too much space on the bed. The girl decides to offer her dad a deal that will interest him and help her get what she wants!
Potato Pants!
by Laurie Keller
Ages 3–7
Recommended by Nicole P., Kingsbridge LibraryThis is a book about an excited potato who wishes to have some potato pants! Something made just for him—how exciting! What obstacles might prevent him from getting his special pair of trendy pants? Read to find out! Potato Pants is an amazing book for kids who love expressive emotions in silly drawings with some colorful bold words. It includes lively illustrations and is most definitely a funny read for you!
Sammy the Seal
by Syd Hoff
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Ashley V., Jerome Park LibraryImagine seeing a zoo animal explore the city. Sammy the Seal was doing just that! Sammy was bored at home in the zoo so he decided to go explore the city. He encounters many new people and things to do. He does many exciting things; like jumping in someone’s tub and talking to children. Join Sammy the Seal on his exciting adventure throughout the city and back to the zoo!
I Am Otter
by Sam Garton
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Crystal F., High Bridge Library
Do you like adventure stories, fun colorful illustrations, and books from the point of view of an otter?! Well that is exactly what the book I Am Otter is about. This book takes place the day Otter decides that being left alone while Otter Keeper goes to work is unfair. Fed up by the fact that he can’t keep Otter Keeper home, he decides to open up his own restaurant. Will his plan to open a toast restaurant with his friend Teddy be a success? Will Otter find his job easily? Will it be entertaining? This book features a dream-like setting and is perfect to keep children engaged. The ending has a fun twist that is bound to make kids laugh!
