Our Picks for Funny Back-to-School Books

Looking for humorous back-to-school books to ease first-day jitters? Your search ends here. We've hand-picked our favorite funny, school-themed books, all guaranteed to make kids giggle. 

From I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . . by Davide Cali. Illustration copyright 2014 by Benjamin Chaud.

I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . .

by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
Chronicle 2004, ISBN 978-145212-5510-0

How many excuses are there for not doing homework? Let us count the ways: Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood. Elves hid all the pencils. And then there was that problem with carnivorous plants. . . . The excuses go on and on, each more absurd than the next and escalating to hilarious heights. Funny with super-fabulous illustrations. [Anika's pick]

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL

by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz 

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-0763671815

Joe the giraffe and Sparky the turtle return in a hilarious back-to-school adventure! When the two friends hop on a yellow bus full of "noisy short people," and end up in an elementary school, they must navigate the strange customs of their new habitat—including magic "ponds," peas that are for counting not eating, and a quest to earn gold stars. There's nothing better than belly laughs when tackling back-to-school topics, and the latest installment in Michalak's beloved early reader series will garner plenty of giggles and guffaws. [Anika's pick]

From My Teacher Is a Monster (No I Am Not). Illustration copyright 2014 by Peter Brown.

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER (NO, I AM NOT) 

by Peter Brown

Little Brown, 2014; ISBN 978-03160-7029-4

Bobby's teacher, Mrs. Kirby, is a monster. (No, really . . . she's green and she yells and she has sharp teeth.) But when Bobby encounters her on a park bench one day and the two have a chat out of the context of school, he realizes perhaps she's not as scary as he initially thought. A droll and clever way to help kids realize that their teachers are just regular people, and there isn't any reason to be afraid of them. [Anika's pick]

EDDA: A LITTLE VALKYRIE'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

by Adam Auerbach 

Henry Holt & Co., 2014; ISBN 978-08050-9703-0

Pairing Norse mythology with a back-to-school tale really got our attention. The clever story and charming line drawings will surely inspire little Valkyries to summon their own courage when conquering the strange new world of school. [Anika's pick]

PEPPA PIG AND THE BUSY DAY AT SCHOOL

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-07636-7227-0

What will Peppa do at Special Talent Time when her special talents are already chosen by others? Find out in this delightful school story, starring our SECOND-favorite piggy persona (after Mr. Pig, of course)! [Kara's pick]

THE MISS NELSON COLLECTION

by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014; ISBN 978-05440-8222-9

For the first time ever, all three classic stories (Miss Nelson is Missing!, Miss Nelson is Back, and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day) are all available in one volume. A back-to-school read not even Viola Swamp could resist! [Kara's pick]

THE BEAR WITH STICKY PAWS GOES TO SCHOOL

by Clara Vulliamy

tiger tales, 2009; ISBN 1-58925-081-8

Lily doesn't want to go to school. But then--ding dong!--it's the Bear with Sticky Paws, who's come to take Lily to Bear School! At Bear School, you don't hang up your coats; you throw them up in the air. You play ALL of the instruments loudly, and you make a BIG mess. Lily has fun, but soon she's ready to go to her own school. Sweet and silly. [Jamie's pick]

From Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Illustration copyright 2014 by Shane Prigmore.

PLANET KINDERGARTEN 
by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore

Chronicle, 2014; ISBN 978-14521-1893-2
Today is liftoff. "You are well prepared," says Dad. Mom counts down. Into the rocket ship . . . the boosters fire, and we launch. I'm off to PLANET KINDERGARTEN! After reading this clever book, children heading into kindergarten will be ready to suit up for their own daring adventure. [Jamie's pick]
 

MRS. ROOPY IS LOOPY! (My Weird School series)
by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
HarperCollins, 2004; ISBN 978-00605-0704-6 
Know any reluctant readers? Hand them a book from Dan Gutman's side-splitting My Weird School chapter book series STAT. The Ella Mentry School is populated by wacky teachers. Like Mrs. Roopy, the new librarian, who comes to school wearing a pot on her head! One day she thinks she's George Washington, and the next day she's Little Bo Peep. Crazy fun! [Jamie's pick]

BEE-WIGGED

by Cece Bell

Candliewick Press, 2008; ISBN 978-07636-3614-2 

Jerry Bee is an enormous bee who loves people. But people don't love Jerry Bee because . . . well, he's an enormous bee. Then a wig changes Jerry's life--when he puts it on, he looks just like a boy! But when his true identity revealed, will he go back to being a large and lonely bee? The unexpected ending will have kids in stitches. Hair's to you, Cece Bell! [Jamie's pick]