Humor & Comedy

You know a book's funny if you're reading it alone and laughing hysterically. Of course, the really great comic masterpieces are also deep reflections on humanity and life and death (like Huckleberry Finn or All Creatures Great and Small or Calvin & Hobbes). Frequently, though, you just need to guffaw, and the literary quality of the piece isn't quite as important as the laugh-factor.

Not that you want to read swill. Cheap laughs might be funny on the surface, but the jokes that actually say something are generally funnier than the ones that simply point and snicker. It's easy to think we're superior because we get the joke, but in reality a lot of modern comedy is no more than the absence of reverence. Real comedy is simply an incongruous presentation of a familiar idea that amuses with its absurdity while offering a new view.

Before you dismiss the need for humor on religious grounds (suggesting that Jesus is the Man of Sorrows, and so must we be in order to be like Him), remember that the "laughter is good medicine" image comes from the Bible (Proverbs 17:22), and that as the Creator of everything God invented laughter. He invented jokes. As the perfect man, Jesus probably told the best jokes ever.

We have a few of them—a rich person will enter heaven as easily as a camel getting through the eye of a needle, or the one about the Pharisee and the plebe who go into the temple at the same time to pray. Jesus clearly saw the absurdity of life (in both of the cases mentioned, the absurdity of human pride), and used it to direct people to the Author of Meaning.

Basically, laughter is really good and you should try it sometime. If you're a little rusty and need a boost, read a funny book: maybe the heartwarming but hysterical adventures of the Gilbreth clan in Cheaper by the Dozen, or the pure zaniness of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, or the heartwarming zaniness of Jeeves and Wooster. Whatever you do, smile more, frown less, and for goodness' sake take laughter seriously.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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274 Items found Print
Active Filters: 3rd grade (Ages 8-9)
Adventures of Tintin - Complete Package
by Herge
from Little, Brown & Company
Comic Book for 2nd-6th grade
in Adventures of Tintin (Location: COM-TIN)
$251.79
Adventures of Tintin - Young Readers Collection
by Herge
for 2nd-6th grade
in Adventures of Tintin (Location: COM-TIN)
$52.76
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday
by Judith Viorst
from Scholastic Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move
by Judith Viorst
from Scholastic Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$1.60 (1 in stock)
Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by June Goulding
from Parragon Publishing
for 3rd-6th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Amelia Bedelia Helps Out
I Can Read Level 2
by Peggy Parish
from HarperCollins
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
Amelia Bedelia's Masterpiece
I Can Read! Level 2
by Herman Parish, Illustrated by Lynn Sweat
from HarperTrophy
for 1st-3rd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
Augustus Drives a Jeep
by Le Grand Henderson
from Hale-Cadmus
for 2nd-5th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
B Is for Betsy
by Carolyn Haywood
from Harcourt
First School Experiences for 2nd-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$6.79
Back to School with Betsy
by Carolyn Haywood
from Odyssey Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$10.16
Beezus and Ramona
Ramona Collection Book 1
by Beverly Cleary
Reissue from HarperTrophy
for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$8.49
Beezus and Ramona
by Beverly Cleary
from Scholastic Inc.
for 2nd-4th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Ben and Me
by Robert Lawson
from Little, Brown & Company
Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$7.64
Best Christmas Pageant Ever
by Barbara Robinson
from HarperCollins
Humor for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
Betsy and the Boys
by Carolyn Haywood
from Harcourt, Brace & World
for 2nd-5th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
Betsy's Play School
by Carolyn Haywood, illustrated by James Griffin
from William Morrow & Company
for 2nd-5th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
Betsy's Winterhouse
by Carolyn Haywood
7th printing, 1969 from Harcourt, Brace & World
for 2nd-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Big Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook
by Joyce Lankester Brisley, illustrated by Clara Vulliamy
from Kingfisher
for 2nd-3rd grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Bill Bergson Master Detective
by Astrid Lindgren
from Viking Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
Boy
by Roald Dahl
from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$7.64
Boy
by Roald Dahl
1999 reissue from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Boy
by Roald Dahl
UK Edition from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Boy
by Roald Dahl
2016 Edition from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man
by Robert McCloskey
from Puffin Books
Humorous Folk Tale for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$8.49
Captain Nobody
by Dean Pitchford
from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Humor & Comedy (Location: FIC-COM)
$6.79
Centerburg Tales
by Robert McCloskey
from Puffin Books
Humor for 3rd-6th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$6.79
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
from Puffin Books
Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$7.64
Charlie McTwiddle and the Wobbly-Wheeled Sputter Putter Popper
by Jerry Warner, illustrated by Jim Conlin
1st edition from Windsor Medallion
for 3rd-6th grade
in Humor & Comedy (Location: FIC-COM)
Charlie Muffin's Miracle Mouse
by Dick King-Smith
from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
for 2nd-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Children On Troublemaker Street
by Astrid Lindgren
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for 1st-3rd grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang
by Ian Fleming
from Random House
for 3rd-7th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Church Mouse
by Graham Oakley
from Kane Miller
for 1st-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker & Marla Frazee
from Hyperion/Madison Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$5.09
Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker & Marla Frazee
from Hyperion Books for Children
for 2nd-4th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Complete Ramona Collection - Boxed Set
by Beverly Cleary
from HarperCollins
for 2nd-4th grade
in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX)
$54.33
Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne
from Dutton Children's Books
Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Cranberry Birthday
by Wende & Harry Devlin
from Purple House Press
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$13.59
Cranberry Summer
by Wende & Harry Devlin
from Purple House Press
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$13.59
Cranberry Valentine
by Wende & Harry Devlin
from Purple House Press
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Cranberry Valentine
by Wende & Harry Devlin
from Purple House Press
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$13.59
Doctor Dolittle Complete Collection
by Hugh Lofting
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for 3rd-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Doctor Dolittle's Post Office
by Hugh Lofting
from SeaWolf Press
for 3rd-7th grade
1923 Newbery Medal winner
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$8.49
Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
Doctor Dolittle #6
by Hugh Lofting
from J.B. Lippincott Co.
for 3rd-7th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
Doctor Dolittle #6
by Hugh Lofting
1967th edition from SeaWolf Press
for 3rd-7th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$8.49
Doctor Dolittle: The Complete Collection Volume 1
by Hugh Lofting
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Animal Fantasy for 3rd-7th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Dodsworth in New York
by Tim Egan
Reprint from HMH Books for Young Readers
for 1st-3rd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$5.94
Dodsworth in Rome
Green Light Level 3
by Tim Egan
from HMH Books for Young Readers
for 1st-3rd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$4.24
Dodsworth in Tokyo
Green Light Readers Level 3
by Tim Egan
from HMH Books for Young Readers
for 1st-3rd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$4.24
Don't Frighten the Lion!
by Margaret Wise Brown
from Random House
for 1st-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems
from Hyperion Press
for Preschool-3rd grade
2004 Caldecott Honor Book
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$16.14
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-3rd grade
2004 Caldecott Honor Book
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Drat These Brats!
from Margaret K. McElderry Books
for 1st-3rd grade
in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Duck for President
by Doreen Cronin
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Eddie and his Big Deals
by Carolyn Haywood
10th printing, 1968 from William Morrow & Company
Realistic Fiction for 1st-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Eddie and Louella
by Carolyn Haywood
7th printing, 1968 from William Morrow & Company
Realistic Fiction for 1st-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Eddie's Green Thumb
by Carolyn Haywood
from William Morrow & Company
for 2nd-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Eddie's Menagerie
by Carolyn Haywood
1st edition from Troll Associates
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Eddie's Pay Dirt
by Carolyn Haywood
11th printing from William Morrow & Company
for 2nd-5th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Edward Lear's Nonsense Books
by Edward Lear
from Grosset & Dunlap
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL)
Elbert's Bad Word
by Audrey Wood
1st edition from Sandpiper Books
for 1st-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$6.79
Ellen Tebbits
by Beverly Cleary
from HarperCollins
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$9.34
Ellen Tebbits
by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling
from Morrow Junior Books
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Esio Trot
by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
2016 ed. from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package
Tales from Deckawoo Drive Book 4
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
from Candlewick Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$6.79
Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
from Candlewick Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Humor & Comedy (Location: FIC-COM)
$16.14
Figgs & Phantoms
by Ellen Raskin
from Puffin Books
for 3rd-6th grade
1975 Newbery Honor Book
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$6.79
Five Chinese Brothers OSI
by Claire Huchet Bishop & Kurt Wiese
from PaperStar Books
Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$6.79
Flora & Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo
Reprint from Candlewick Press
for 3rd-6th grade
2014 Newbery Medal winner
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$7.64
Flora & Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo
Reprint from Scholastic Book Services
for 3rd-6th grade
2014 Newbery Medal winner
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$2.80 (1 in stock)
Fox in Socks
by Dr. Seuss
from Random House
for 2nd-3rd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$3.20 (4 in stock)
Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
Tales from Deckawoo Drive Book 2
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
from Candlewick Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$6.79
Franklin Endicott and the Third Key
Tales from Deckawoo Drive Book 6
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
from Candlewick Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$5.94 $3.20 (1 in stock)
Frog and Toad All Year
An I Can Read Book Level 2
by Arnold Lobel
from HarperCollins
Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$5.09 $2.80 (1 in stock)
Frog and Toad All Year
An I Can Read Book
by Arnold Lobel
from HarperCrest
Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
Frog and Toad Are Friends
An I Can Read Book Level 2 (Reading with Help)
by Arnold Lobel
from HarperCollins
Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade
1971 Caldecott Honor Book
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
Frog and Toad Are Friends
An I Can Read Book Level 2
by Arnold Lobel
from HarperCollins
Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade
1971 Caldecott Honor Book
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Frog and Toad Together
An I Can Read Book Level 2
by Arnold Lobel
from HarperCollins
Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade
1973 Newbery Honor Book
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
Giggle Box
by Phyllis R. Fenner, illustrated by William Steig
1963 Printing from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Anthology Collections (Location: VIN-ANTH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
by Roald Dahl
from Puffin Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
by Roald Dahl
from Puffin Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
Good American Witch
by Peggy Bacon
from E.M. Hale and Company
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
$52.00 (1 in stock)
Good Old Archibald
by Ethelyn M. Parkinson
from Bethlehem Books
for 3rd-7th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$12.71
Gopher, Tanker, and the Admiral
by Shirley Climo, illustrated by Eileen McKeating
from Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
$20.00 (1 in stock)
Great Brain Does it Again
Great Brain #7
by John Dennis Fitzgerald
from Dell Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
Great Brain Reforms
Great Brain #5
by John Dennis Fitzgerald
from Dell Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
Hank the Cowdog #01
Hank the Cowdog #1
by John R. Erickson
from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94 $3.60 (1 in stock)
Hank the Cowdog #02
Hank the Cowdog #2
by John R. Erickson
from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #03
Hank the Cowdog #3
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #04
Hank the Cowdog #4
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #05
Hank the Cowdog #5
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
Hank the Cowdog #06
Hank the Cowdog #6
by John R. Erickson
from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #07
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #08
Hank the Cowdog #8
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #08
Hank the Cowdog #8
by John R. Erickson
from Puffin Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
Hank the Cowdog #09
Hank the Cowdog #9
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #10
Hank the Cowdog #10
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #11
Hank the Cowdog #11
by John R. Erickson
Reprint from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #12
Hank the Cowdog #12
by John R. Erickson
from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.94
Hank the Cowdog #13
Hank the Cowdog #13
by John R. Erickson
from Maverick Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
$5.09
Hank the Cowdog #13
by John R. Erickson
Reissue from Puffin Books
for 2nd-5th grade
in Hank the Cowdog (Location: SER-HANK)
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