37 April Fools Books For Kids: Funny Picture Books

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This picture book list includes 37 April Fools Books for Kids with an emphasis on quality literature and funny picture books that are sure to make you laugh. April 1st is a good day for reading books and practical jokes. But this book list is filled with good books that are a good choice to read any time of the year and for readers of all ages. I have included books that are commonly found at local libraries. I hope most of these books are accessible to you.

It is Good to Laugh Together!

My priority is to provide my children with rich literature, but sometimes it is good to laugh together. One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to read books. I hope you and your child find a funny book on this reading list that you bond over and maybe even share some silly moments and have a lot of fun together.

I’m always on the hunt for good books. I will continue to add any new finds here to the book list.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you on qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. 

37 April Fools Books for Kids

1. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex is excited about her first school day, but her classmates are all children. She cannot resist and eats them up. But her teacher quickly corrects her, and a goldfish teaches her a lesson.

2. See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood

I love all the rhyming goodbyes made by dear Tortoise. With all his bidding farewells, can Tortoise make it to the park gates before sunset?

3. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

This Wonky Donkey is a country-music, coffee-loving, three-legged donkey who is sure to get you and your young reader laughing.

4. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood

The little mouse hurries to retrieve a red, ripe strawberry, but the narrator taunts him about the big hungry bear.

5. Silly Lullaby by Sandra Boynton

“The chickens in the bathtub, the closet full of sheep.” This one is sure to get stuck in your head. It is one of our favorite board books by Sandra Boynton.

6. Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter

I have one kiddo that absolutely will not touch the button and one that cannot press it enough. Larry, the monster, warns you not to push the red button. But it truly is too tempting.

7. There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

This interactive book was a gift for my one-year-old daughter. She quickly participated in the little gestures the author requested, such as giving the dragon a high five and popping a water balloon to put out a flame in the book.

8. The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak

Be prepared to be silly as you read this book aloud with your children. (The word “butt” is used.)

9. Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

This is a book of good humor. We continually borrow this gem at our local library. Sheep Sheep is a silly sheep who discovers she is a Dog Sheep. She does her best to help the sheepdog prepare for his job of watching the sheep.

10. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

I would be demanding an electric blanket too. The cows found an old typewriter in the barn and began making demands. We love the Click Clack Moo series!

11. Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio

This mischievous orange dragon creates a bit of distress and destruction in the community. The King offers a reward for whoever can tame the Dragon.

12. Never Trumpet with a Crumpet by Amy Gibson

The zoo animals attend a tea party and learn proper etiquette and behavior. The colorful illustrations creatively depict this humorous event.

13. Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce wants to enjoy his breakfast undisturbed, but he endures a case of mistaken identity.

14. The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens

Fox is quite the scammer, and Bear becomes his next victim. Bear, the lazy farmer, cares tenderly for his donkey egg expecting to hatch a baby donkey.

15. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

The bus driver takes a break, and the pigeon offers to help. His pleas turn into a tantrum as he does not get permission to drive the bus.

16. Doctor De Soto by William Steig

A rather skilled dentist, Dr. De Soto, avoids treating dangerous animals, but a fox who is painfully plagued by a toothache seeks the dentist’s help. The fox is not an innocent patient; he plots to eat the mouse.

17. Finders Keepers by Keiko Kasza

A squirrel hides his acorn under a hat. The red hat gets pushed around by the wind, fulfilling a purpose for each temporary owner.

18. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This sneaky little fish steals a big fish’s hat and confidently makes a break to where the tall grasses grow.

19. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

The zookeeper walks through the zoo biding the animals goodnight and securing the zoo. Silly Gorilla sneaks the keys from the zookeeper and lets all the zoo animals out. They quietly trail behind the zookeeper to his home.

20. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Dragons love tacos and especially taco parties, but make sure not to serve spicy salsa. Dragons hate spicy salsa.

21. Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox

The prince kneels for Rapunzel and requests that she throw down her hair. But Rapunzel cannot understand him and throws some interesting things at him from her high tower. (Underwear is tossed from her tower as she misinterprets his request for her to throw down her hair. Rather in rhyme, she tosses her underwear.)

22. Lion Lessons by Jon Agee

A little boy dressed as a lion tries to learn the seven steps of becoming a lion.

23. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

A great book for young readers. The text is filled with humor as the literal-minded housekeeper, Amelia, does exactly what she is told. Her famously delicious lemon-meringue pie provides job security.

24. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka

Alexander T. Wolf shares his perspective of what really happened in this telling of the fractured fairytale.

25. April Fool! Watch Out at School! by Diane deGroat

When April Fool’s Day falls on a school day, Gilbert is so excited to play tricks and try out new ideas on his friends at school. But all the tricks are being played on him, even Mrs. Byrd gets him and the classic whoopee cushion. In the end Gilbert does get Lewis and gets the last laugh. If I’m being honest, I did not love this book. Maybe it’s the constant pranking that reaches a level of being unkind, or it could be that I am the worst prankster, and my heart goes out to Gilbert. However, since it’s a list of April Fools books for Kids. I did feel obligated to include at least two books that happened on April Fool’s Day, like this one, and the following April Fool’s Day book for kids.

26. April Foolishness by Teresa Bateman

The farm is falling apart. The farmer’s grandkids try to warn him, but he won’t listen and continues to prepare his breakfast. Grandma pulls one of the classic April Fools’ Day pranks.

27. Blue Hat, Green Hat (the OOPS book) by Sandra Boynton

Simple text and fun for the youngest readers. The turkey cannot figure out how to properly don his clothes.

28. I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

This little kid gets carried away with painting. He paints everything, even himself. This read is good fun and gets me tickled every time.

29. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

I can completely relate to this book. Be prepared if you give a mouse a cookie, it will lead to many, many more activities and tasks. Mouse always seems to have a great time.

30. If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff

A fun sequel to If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. It is so much fun to find out what Moose does next.

31. The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

This wildly imaginative Crocodile has a big fear of swallowing a watermelon seed.

32. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach

A long, eventful journey leads a bear from the forest to the city, and he finds your unattended sandwich.

33. Interrupting Cow by Jane Yolen

A tale of the one and true interrupting cow from the classic knock-knock jokes. Interrupting cow loves to joke and has good intentions, but the rest of the barnyard animals do not quite enjoy all the joking or interrupting. She finally finds someone who loves to joke as much as her. This is a fun way for older kids to enjoy celebrating April Fool’s Day.

34. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly! by Lucille Colandro

A humorous twist on the classic song.

Pending Books for April Fools Books for Kids:

The next three books I have yet to get my hands on them. I have included them because they were recommended to me. I will come back and update once I have read them with my kiddos.

35. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

36. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

37. We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

Interested in More Book Lists for Kids: Check These Out!

38 Outdoor Adventure Books for Kids

Get the Complete Book List HERE.

35 Best Farm Books for Kids

Get the Complete Book List HERE.

20 Fantastic Frog Books for Kids

Get the Complete Book List HERE.

More Book Lists Coming Soon!

Reading funny picture books is a great way to laugh with your kids. Here are 10 Ways to Make Kids Laugh.

Thanks for Stopping By!

Finally, I want to thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share with me one of your favorite April Fools Day Books for kids and maybe even your best trick. Did your favorite make the list? Also, I am the worst prankster and I fall for plastic spiders and rubber tarantulas every time. Although, I am no a practical trickster I think April Fool’s Day gives us the perfect time to enjoy reading and laughing with our kids.

– With Great Joy, Katie

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