A Laugh-Out-Loud New Year

I can't believe we've already been through a whole month of 2026! To kick off the new year, I wanted to read books that made us laugh. There are many heavy things going on around the world, and it can be discouraging any time you turn on the news or get on social media. I know the kids feel it, too. Sometimes we just need a break to smile and laugh! Here are the books that brought us lots of joy in January:

Mr. S written & illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

This fabulous book by Monica Arnaldo is about a class of kindergartners, but my 2nd graders still found it hilarious and relevant! It is the first day of school, but there is no teacher in sight. All the kids see is "Mr. S" written on the board. At first, the kids celebrate. No teacher? Best day ever! But as the day goes on, they start to wonder about the sandwich on the teacher's desk. Could Mr. S stand for... Mr. SANDWICH?

Throughout the book, kids might notice an adult outside the classroom window who is having a very bad morning. And they start to realize what the class of kindergartners don't, which makes the story even more engaging. The best part of the book? Even the adults will be surprised by the ending!

Buffalo Fluffalo written by Bess Kalb & illustrated by Erin Kraan

Buffalo Fluffalo is another book I worried was too young for 2nd grade, but of all the books we've read this year, this one got the longest and loudest laughs by far. The illustrations are adorable and make the story 10 times funnier! The story follows a big, poofy buffalo, who is very grumpy and mean. Other animals try to be his friend, but the buffalo says, "No way! I'm far too huffy to have time for friends."

Then, a rainstorm humbles the buffalo, and the animals discover that the buffalo really isn't so big and "tuffalo." (I had to pause for a couple of minutes to let the kids finish laughing at the big...or little...reveal.) The story ends happily with the animals loving the buffalo anyway, and he realizes that maybe he doesn't have to be big and tough! Maybe having friends is enough.

The Book That Can Read Your Mind written & illustrated by Marianna Coppo

This book is so amazing, the kids asked me to read it every single day for a week! Open the book to be a part of a magic show. And not just any magic show, but one that can read your mind. Make sure to follow the directions carefully or else the magic won't work. But when it does, get ready for your child's mind to be blown! The students became obsessed with figuring out how the book works. The book and I got accused of cheating, and a few students have been trying to learn the art of reading minds themselves.

Of course a good magician never reveals their tricks, so you can revisit the book again and again to laugh and be wowed. Kids can even learn how to follow the directions and try out the magic on their siblings or friends!

A Friend for Eddy written & illustrated by Ann Kim Ha

A Friend for Eddy is an amusing book that challenges kids to make inferences (why does a fish think a CAT is a friend??) and make predictions (what will happen when the fish realizes his friend is really a cat??). The illustrations and word choice kept the kids on the edges of their seats. Would our predictions come true? What will happen to Eddy the fish? The kids went from laughing, to worrying, to laughing again. It was a perfect quick read at the end of a long day!

The Abominable Snow Dancer written & illustrated by Steph Lau

With the cold weather, ice, and snow, this was a fitting book for January! Readers are introduced to Otto, an abominable snowman. Abominable snowmen are supposed to be scary, strong, and tough. Otto was, but what he truly longed to do was dance. No abominable snowman had ever danced before, and whenever he tried, he always messed up.

Suddenly, one day, Otto discovered a dance group for unicorns. He decided to audition but failed miserably. "Suddenly, dancing had lost its sparkle. Who'd ever heard of a dancing yeti, anyway?"

Just when Otto was sulking away, a unicorn fell from the rafters. Otto saved the day with very graceful moves for all the mythical creatures to see! Otto and and his community realized that it's okay to try new things and be different. You may not be great at what you want to do right away, but keep trying and have fun along the way. Besides, messing up can be funny! And it makes our successes stand out even more.