Funny books

Humpty Dumpty has a bit of a dilemma: he wants to be a boiled egg when he grows up, but his friends think this is an utterly ridiculous idea. Jack Be Nimble and Little Miss Muffet and even the Incey Wincey Spider offer alternative, more sensible career options. Why not an artist? A detective? A famous musician? Or even a crazy hairdresser? They encourage their nursery rhyme friend to aim for the stars, to think outside the box and to not be afraid to break out of his shell. So Humpty reconsiders his options…

Sam Hannigan and the Last Dodo is the latest offering from author and illustrator Alan Nolan. Some readers will need no introduction to our heroine Sam, as this is the second full-length instalment of the Sam Hannigan series.

In Escape From Camp Boring, Tom Mitchell presents a new take on the classic prison break story. The prison in question is a camp for rewilding kids addicted to technology, and the escapees are four kids whose parents have decided they need to disconnect from their gadgets and reconnect with the world. The last place narrator Will wants to his spend midterm break is the Lonesome Pine Rewild Your Child Camp. When he realises that he has smuggled in a device that his brother on the outsdie needs urgently, the scene is set for a camp escape.

Grannies have always been held in high regard in the picturebook world; celebrated for their warm, nurturing personas, or unrivalled superpowers. But in this eccentric directory from French author and illustrator Veillé, a whole new light is shone on society’s most treasured relatives.

It’s the fourth book in the series. Haddow yet again tells a pigeontastic tale of the two comical pair of Dave and Skipper. Their latest cunning plan is to steal the food leftover from the Royal Palace Party. Once they arrive at the Palace gates, it’s not long till they meet the Royal Prince Raju and his Valet Kapi. Dave looks at the Prince. The Royal Prince looks at him. They look exactly alike. Dave hatches another cooing cunning plan. Dave swaps an ordinary pigeon park life for a life of luxury in the palace, for the day.

Humza is determined he is going to make it big. With his sidekick, aka best friend Umer, by his side, how could he fail to realise his potential to become the greatest rapper Eggington has ever seen or heard? The problem is it’s hard to follow your path to greatness when it is blocked by a cricket-obsessed father and more interfering aunties that any child should be forced to endure.

Moving is a big change enough, so when the child at the center of this story is told that, on top of it all, he cannot bring his ‘mate, bestie and right-hand man’ tractor along to his new city house, it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back: you would have to be crazy to not realize how useful, fun and really town-friendly a tractor can be!

Julian is what you could call a creature of habits, or be precise, a mouse of habits! From his little crawl spot, far from the dangerous outside world and away from all the other underground inhabitants, he lives a peaceful and well-ordered life. That is, until a fox decides to have Julian for dinner… Yet, when the fox’s plans go awry, an unlikely friendship is struck between the hunter and his prey.

Secret Agent Elephant is a fun, silly and lively picturebook about… well the title says it all really. Elephant wants to be a secret agent, but first of all, some training must be completed. After some questionable test results, Elephant is sent on a top-secret mission, with hilarious consequences.

Narwhal has decided to become a super hero. He has his super outfit and secret identity, but Narwhal has yet to discover his unique superpower. Join him and his best friend Jelly as they navigate their way to becoming the best super heroes and super friends they can be!

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt is the second book in a series by self-described ‘authorstrator’ (author and illustrator) Ben Clanton.