Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a full-time author and illustrator, and a recovering second grade teacher. I visit with tens of thousands of kids at schools every year and love sharing funny books with them. I’ve written and illustrated over 30 published books and know that kids appreciate subtle humor as well as in-your-face hilarity. I love writing stories that will make readers laugh and think. But mostly laugh.


I wrote

Almost Everybody Farts

By Marty Kelley,

Book cover of Almost Everybody Farts

What is my book about?

Grandmas fart. Teachers fart. Terrifying creatures fart. But... is there someone who doesn't fart?

With sly humor, this fun picture…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Mother Bruce

Marty Kelley Why did I love this book?

This is probably the most perfect picture book. The illustrations are terrific – full of detail and bold colors. The humor is spot-on and works on multiple levels. Kids will adore Bruce’s cranky (but genuinely kind) attitude while adults laugh at the small asides that ring in a slightly more sophisticated way. 

By Ryan T. Higgins,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mother Bruce 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?



Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?


Book cover of Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)

Marty Kelley Why did I love this book?

Another brilliant gem of a book, Snappsy the Alligator is just trying to go about his day, but the annoying narrator of the book insists that he behave in certain ways. This book cleverly considers what the role of character is in a book and how the characters function in their story. Adults will appreciate the sophistication of the concept while younger readers will laugh hysterically at Snappsy’s attempts to be himself despite what the narrator thinks he should do.

By Julie Falatko, Tim J. Miller (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Is he prowling for defenseless birds and soft, fuzzy bunnies? ls Snappsy a big, mean alligator who's obsessed with snack foods that start with the letter P? It's no wonder Snappsy won't invite the narrator to his party! Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) is an irreverent look at storytelling, friendship, and creative differences from a pair of rising stars in the picture book world.


Book cover of The Giggler Treatment

Marty Kelley Why did I love this book?

This is honestly one of my favorite books of all time. Roddy Doyle is much more well known for his adult fiction, but he is a brilliantly absurd writer for children, too. The intrusive and charismatic narrator names chapters after his mother and his fridge as the rollicking story spirals around the family’s efforts to prevent Dad from stepping in dog poo. The voice, the fast-paced plot, and the balance of heart and bathroom humor make this a rip-snorter of a book.

By Roddy Doyle, Brian Ajhar (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Giggler Treatment as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

Gloriously silly comedy from Booker prize winner and bestseller Roddy
Doyle.

If adults are mean to children, they get the Giggler Treatment. It's
smelly. It's squishy. And it sticks to your shoe. But sometimes,
just sometimes, the Gigglers make a mistake...

Can Robbie, Kayla, Jimmy and Rover the dog come to Mr Mack's rescue
before the poo hits the shoe?

Look out for more cheeky runaway comedies starring the Mack family
and Rover the wonder-dog: ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS (9781407139739)
and THE MEANWHILE ADVENTURES (9781407139746).


Book cover of Yuck, a Love Story

Marty Kelley Why did I love this book?

When Amy moves in next to Austin, he is not impressed. He doesn’t need any girls in his life to mess up his perfect existence. He has a dog. He has a best friend. And he knows that a T-Rex will eat a girl with freckles. This book perfectly captures the strange world of very young love in the most innocent and hilarious way. The characters are solid, but they develop in such wonderful ways throughout the story. The art makes it an even more enjoyable read, adding to the dry, witty humor and dialog in unexpected and fun ways.

By Don Gillmor, Marie-Louise Gay (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Yuck, a Love Story as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

Winner of the 2000 Governor General's Award for Children's Illustration

Finalist for the CBA Illustrator of the Year Award

Austin Grouper had a brown dog named Fresco, a best friend named Sternberg, and a red bicycle. His life was full. And then a girl named Amy moves in next door. Austin decides that she, like all girls, is yucky. But when the invitation to her birthday party arrives, it seems the only suitable present for Amy is the moon itself, and Austin is prepared to go to the ends of the earth to get it.

Yuck, a Love Story will…


Book cover of Minnie and Moo: The Case of the Missing Jelly Donut

Marty Kelley Why did I love this book?

Minnie and Moo are two cows who go on more adventures than any cows in history. Again, the humor works on multiple levels. Adults will laugh out loud over the cows’ realization that they are made of beef while kids will delight in their ridiculous adventures around the farmyard. Or on the moon. Or in Paris. Or even the hot tub. There are several books in the series and each one is absolutely delightful.

By Denys Cazet,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Minnie and Moo as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 6.

What is this book about?

Minnie's jelly donut is gone! Moo is sure it's been stolen. Can the cunning cows stop the crime wave before the donut-napper strikes again?

The funniest and sweetest buddies since Frog and Toad, Minnie and Moo will earn giggles from young readers. The Minnie and Moo stories are fun independent reads and also perfect for reading aloud, as they're filled with funny dialogue from these goofy and adorable cows.

Denys Cazet was an elementary school teacher for 25 years, and has also been a school librarian and elementary school media specialist. He was inspired to tell stories about the silly…


Explore my book 😀

Almost Everybody Farts

By Marty Kelley,

Book cover of Almost Everybody Farts

What is my book about?

Grandmas fart. Teachers fart. Terrifying creatures fart. But... is there someone who doesn't fart?

With sly humor, this fun picture book looks at a subject that’s sure to make children laugh: farting. With silent farts, farts like horns, and rainbow farts from unicorns, Almost Everybody Farts comically captures the gassy scene. And only one person insists she’s fart-free: Mom! But is she? Kids will insist on reading this rhyming story again and again.

Book cover of Mother Bruce
Book cover of Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)
Book cover of The Giggler Treatment

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

You might also like...

Book cover of Deadly Sommer

Nicholas Harvey Author Of Twelve Mile Bank

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

My wife suggested we try scuba diving while on holiday in Grand Cayman. We were already falling in love with the island, and the incredible experience underwater opened a whole new world to us. From that moment on, our yearly travels changed completely. Our destination choices were now based upon diving opportunities. That was twenty years ago. Today, I’m a certified divemaster with dives all over the US (including Hawaii), the Caribbean (including Cuba), Australia, and even Iceland. Throw in my sense of adventure as a former race car driver, motorcycle rider, and outdoor adventurer, and I had plenty of personal experiences to create the AJ Bailey series.

Nicholas' book list on female scuba diving thrillers and mysteries

What is my book about?

Readers who enjoy police procedurals with an offbeat main character and fascinating locations will love this thriller.

One missing girl. Two lives on the line. Four treacherous challenges.

Nora Sommer's first case for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is one she'll never forget... if she survives. When the daughter of a wealthy businessman is taken, Nora is first on the scene and unwittingly 'chosen' by the kidnapper.

With the crime live-streamed across the internet, the eyes of the world are upon her as she faces a sequence of difficult challenges with the life of the kidnapped girl hanging on…

By Nicholas Harvey,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

One missing girl. Two lives on the line. Four treacherous challenges.

Nora Sommer's first case for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is one she'll never forget - if she survives.

When the daughter of a wealthy businessman is taken, Nora is first on the scene and unwittingly 'chosen' by the kidnapper. With the crime live-streamed across the internet, the eyes of the world are upon her as she faces a sequence of difficult challenges with the life of the kidnapped girl hanging on Nora's success - or failure.

Deadly Sommer is the thrilling first book in the Nora Sommer…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in bears, friendships, and animals?

Bears 72 books
Friendships 1,496 books
Animals 232 books