The best and funniest children's books to give your child the giggles

Why am I passionate about this?

My name is John Priest and I've been writing children's books, mystery stories, and factual articles since the 1980's. I've been traditionally published and have publshed my own books too. I love writing funny books and rhyming stories. Seeing my 5 grandchildren reading a book and laughing is one of the best sights of all. I've worked in schools and really believe that having your imagination ignited by any book is the start of building your own personality and creating wonderment in your own mind. And who knows? Maybe one day your child will write the next batch of  beautiful books!


I wrote...

Where's My Granny Gone?

By John Priest,

Book cover of Where's My Granny Gone?

What is my book about?

On her way to school with Mum, a young girl notices her Granny's house has been sold. Mum tries to explain that Granny is fine but the young girl is upset and imagines Granny sad and all alone. Mum promises that they will see Granny on the weekend.

The weekend finally arrives and the young girl is excited. She hopes her poor old Granny has not been sad and miserable in her new home...

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Kitchen Disco

John Priest Why did I love this book?

I really enjoy funny, hilarious children's books, anything that makes you laugh until your tummy hurts is fine by me, just so long as they are packed full with love and respect for each other.

Who would have thought that fruit in your kitchen would come to life at night? 

These fruits even have their own disco and sing and dance the nights away!

This is a fabulous fun book for kids to enjoy. It's got rhyme, song and fun all rolled up in its pages, I know that they will read it again and again.

By Clare Foges, Al Murphy (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kitchen Disco as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

At night when you are sleeping
There's a party in your house,
It's a pumping, jumping, funky bash
When all the lights go out . . .

When the sun goes down, the Kitchen Disco starts up - and all the fruit in the fruit bowl come out to play. There are lemons who break-dance, tangerines who twirl and some very over-excited apples.

Kitchen Disco is a zany and hilarious rhyming picture book for young children, featuring a stunning holographic foil spread in the middle of the book.

'A party season essential.' The Times

'Absurdly catchy account of what the…


Book cover of I'm Sure I Saw a Dinosaur

John Priest Why did I love this book?

A young boy living by the sea is absolutely certain he's seen a Dinosaur! He dashes off to tell a fisherman and very soon a huge crowd of people want to know about the Dinosaur seen at Sandy Bottom End. But—can it really be true?

Another brilliant and funny book for kids to love! It's got rhyme, excitement, atmosphere and a brilliant twist to the tale. I love it!

By Jeanne Willis, Adrian Reynolds (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I'm Sure I Saw a Dinosaur as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

"One foggy, groggy morning
By the salty, splashy sea
I'm sure I saw a dinosaur
And I'm sure that he saw me."

But there's more to this story than meets the eye. Can there really be a dinosaur at Sandy Bottom End? Or is someone up to something...


Book cover of Hugless Douglas

John Priest Why did I love this book?

The title of the book tells you that the book is going to be F-U-N. Hugless Douglas. When Douglas the bear wakes up after his Winter sleep, all he really wants is a nice big hug! Douglas sets off in search of the best hug, and the hugs he gets just seem to lack something, but what? 

Does Hugless Douglas finally get the hug he really wants? This is such a lovely, heart-warming book and it is especially nice at bedtime!

By David Melling,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hugless Douglas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Hugless Douglas in on a hunt for the perfect bear hug! Join him and see why this delightful cuddly tale has been entertaining families for ten years.

Hugless Douglas is a huggable, lovable young brown bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He goes to try and find one but none of them seem quite right.

This very special anniversary edition of Hugless Douglas' first adventure is a must for fans of this much-loved series, which has sold over 1.6 million copies in 26 languages to date. David Melling is one of the UK's best-loved author-illustrators…


Book cover of Dinosaurs Love Underpants

John Priest Why did I love this book?

This book is just right for the child who loves Dinosaurs and/or mysteries!

It has hilarious images of Dinosaurs and Humans and is another book with rhyming verse. It aims to answer the age-old question about Dinosaurs and what actually caused them to become extinct. 

It's a brilliant book, so funny and has its own solution to the great mystery of the disappearance of the Dinosaurs...

By Claire Freedman, Ben Cort (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dinosaurs Love Underpants as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The hilarious follow-up to the award-winning Aliens Love Underpants!

The mystery of dinosaur extinction is solved! Scientists have plenty of theories about why dinosaurs are extinct, but the UK's bestselling author/illustrator team of Claire Freedman and Ben Cort knows the real answer: The dinos were wiped out in an Underpants War! This wacky celebration of underpants is perfect for reading aloud, and the hilarious antics of T. rex and the gang are endlessly entertaining. Featuring fun, vibrant art and short, rhyming text, Dinosaurs Love Underpants is a prehistoric pleasure parents and kids will want to read again and again.

Praise…


Book cover of The Dinosaur That Pooped the Past!

John Priest Why did I love this book?

Danny and the Dinosaur sit impatiently at Granny's dining table. They can't wait for their dinner to end as Granny's cooking wasn't the best in the world! They finish and run into the garden, heading straight for the old, garden swing. But this is no ordinary swing, it can take you into the past and suddenly, they're in a jungle...with a volcano about to erupt! Can Dinosaur save the day?

By Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter, Garry Parsons (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Dinosaur That Pooped the Past! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Discover the pooptastic world of Dino and Danny, from bestselling authors Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter!

When playtime on Gran's old swing sends Danny and Dinosaur accidentally looping back through time to the Jurassic age, there's no knowing what might happen.

Especially when the swing breaks and there's the rumble of a volcano ready to erupt!

Can Danny and Dinosaur make it back to the future with their new dino friends?

A Jurassic classic from the bestselling creators of The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet!, The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas! and The Dinosaur that Pooped a Princess!


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Tyrone the Tenor Mouse: The Singing Mouse of the Opera House

By Elizabeth B. Splaine,

Book cover of Tyrone the Tenor Mouse: The Singing Mouse of the Opera House

Elizabeth B. Splaine Author Of Devil's Grace

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Before becoming an opera singer, I received my Masters in Healthcare Administration and worked in various healthcare settings, from a community health center to a large teaching hospital. I learned first-hand how the best-intentioned clinicians can make mistakes, and how those mistakes can lead to unintended consequences that can harm patients. Although it’s terrifying to think about, the best defense is to self-advocate as much as possible. It’s your body and your decision. Don’t give away your power.

Elizabeth's book list on medical thriller/mystery with a spiritual twist

What is my book about?

Tyrone the mouse rehearses night and day to improve his singing voice, hoping he’ll earn the spotlight in the opera house where he lives surrounded by animal friends.

Ty secretly practices by hiding in the wings, singing along with the famous tenor, Roland L’Amour. When Roland becomes ill on opening night, Ty sees an opportunity to fulfill his dream. With the royal family in attendance, Ty nervously asks the opera house manager if he might play the lead role.

Although he’s nervous, with the support of his friends Stella, the precocious Persian cat, and Oscar, the mangy mutt, he finds the courage to take the stage and discovers that hard work and friendship can make any dream come true!

Tyrone the Tenor Mouse: The Singing Mouse of the Opera House

By Elizabeth B. Splaine,

What is this book about?

Tyrone the Tenor Mouse has a secret wish--to perform in the opera house where he lives with his animal friends, Stella the precocious Persian cat and Oscar the mangy mutt.

Ty learns the music by secretly singing along with a famous tenor named Roland L’Amour. When Roland becomes ill on opening night, Ty sees an opportunity to make his dream come true. With the royal family in attendance, Ty nervously asks if he can play the lead role.

With the support of his friends, he finds the courage to take the stage and discovers that hard work and friendship can…


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