Getting a reluctant reader to actually crack open a book can be an uphill battle. But what if the secret ingredient to unlocking interest in reading was something as simple as… laughter? Joke books may not seem like traditional “literature,” but they can be powerful tools that help children develop essential literacy skills (all while having fun!).

Humor has a universal appeal, especially for children. Kids love to share jokes with friends, surprise adults with a clever riddle, or laugh at a silly punchline. That natural desire to connect through humor creates motivation, which is the very element that reluctant readers may lack. Instead of feeling forced to read, children are excited to flip pages, discover the next joke, and share it.

Even better, joke books are wonderfully low-pressure. They’re short with a quick payoff. This format makes reading feel more approachable for kids who may be intimidated by long chapters or dense paragraphs. Joke books provide a positive experience which builds reading success. Finishing a page, understanding a joke, and making someone laugh all build the confidence kids need to keep going.

Building Key Literacy Skills Through Jokes

While joke books may seem purely for entertainment, they actually support several important literacy skills:

• Vocabulary Growth: Many jokes rely on wordplay, puns, or multiple meanings of words. As kids encounter these, they expand their vocabulary and develop a deeper understanding of how language works.
• Comprehension: To “get” a joke, readers must process the setup, hold it in their memory, and then connect it to the punchline. This strengthens both reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
• Fluency: Reading jokes aloud to friends or family allows kids to practice phrasing, expression, and pacing. Timing is everything in comedy, and that naturally supports fluency practice.
• Confidence: Every time a child makes someone laugh with a joke they’ve read, it reinforces their identity as a capable, confident reader.

Parents, teachers, and caregivers can use joke books and riddles in simple, fun ways. Keep a joke book in the car or on the kitchen table for quick reading opportunities. Or, encourage kids to “perform” a joke of the day for family members.

Expanding on this success, educators can pair joke books with drawing or writing activities. For example, have kids invent their own jokes or create silly illustrations.

At the end of the day, joke books turn reading into something truly joyful. For a reluctant reader, this shift from obligation to fun can be transformational. Once kids realize that books can make them laugh, connect them with friends and family, and even give them the power to entertain, the door to reading will be wide open.

Sometimes, the best way to raise a reader isn’t with a serious book… it’s with a silly joke. Here are a few suggestions to get you started!

• Roald Dahl’s Whoppsy-Whiffling Joke Book, by Roald Dahl
• Knock-Knock Jokes and Silly Stories for Kids, by “May B. Gigglin”
• Funniest Illustrated Jokes for Kids!, by Jeremy Nguyen
• Highlights Laugh Attack! Joke Books Series, by Highlights
• The Easy Reader Joke Book for Kids Ages 3-6, by Earl Fizwickle
• Knock! Knock! Who Was There?, by Brian Elling and Who HQ
• PUNcilmation: A Pencilmation Joke Book, by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

About Success Won’t Wait

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. 

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