Ferndale Public Library Staff Recommends: Ashley’s Favorite Funny Picture Books

This article was written by Jeff Milo and Ashley Lehman.

As I’m typing this, a parade of strollers streams past the Circulation Desk – content faces glow from the toddler-aged occupants of these parent-powered transports as they’ve just wrapped up an invigorating and interactive story hour hosted by Youth Services librarian Ashley Lehman. She’s evidently gotten into a groove here, nearing on 6 months as part of the Ferndale Public Library staff. 

In our youth section, make sure to check out our display for Banned Books Week!, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. You can read (and learn about) titles like Catcher In The Rye and their somewhat-scandalous legacies. 

Last time this fellow Spartan of mine shared some picks it was material spurring ideal summer road trips, but now she’s got something for the kids – or for the parents who want to find prime picture books to read to/with their little ones.

Ashley’s Picks  

I have a lot of favorite picture books. And frankly, the list changes every week. It's part of my job to familiarize myself with new picture books, so I almost always find one to add to the list of favorites weekly. There are a few things that draw me to any specific book, with the top two things being illustrations and humor. These things go far with me, but will definitely go far with young readers. Hey, if you are finding a picture book pleasant or funny, your kid listeners will most likely catch your vibe and really enjoy it too! 

A list of my favorite funny picture books (as of today, which might be different than my list of favorites tomorrow!):

More of a “dramedy,” this book follows a bunch of shipwrecked cats as they navigate their new life on a deserted island. This prose is silly, funny and sometimes heart-warming. The illustrations, of course, are spot on with a huge attention to detail, giving life to the story beyond the written text. The story is written in verse, so it is super fun to read aloud.

Prudence’s desperate attempt to get a pet leaves her being resourceful;  she pretends various inanimate objects, like a branch or an old tire, are her brand new pet. This book is just silly and will make young readers laugh when imagining an old shoe as a dog. The book is illustrated simply and refreshingly.

When Leon the Iguana is freshly out of toilet paper, he uses a old holey pair of red underwear to take care of business. Little did he know, but his “conscience” gets to him and he scrubs and scrubs and scrubs the old underwear clean. Readers will laugh at the final twist that makes the whole book hilarious. The illustrations are a great accompaniment to the text and Leon’s character.