It's no secret that young readers love Abby Hanlon's hilariously quirky Dory Fantasmagory series. The wildly imaginative Dory has an emotional range and mischievous streak that resonates with kids. If your reader is looking for more books like Dory Fantasmagory, test out one of these funny and imaginative early chapter book series.
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MORE: Don't miss the entire Dory Fantasmagory series!
Gumluck the Wizard (series) by Adam Rex
Kids who like magic and silly humor will find the perfect blend in this series about a whimsical wizard and his quirky adventures. Gumluck the wizard wants to be a hero and dispenses with magical favors in the hopes of being voted one at the upcoming festival. Wry and humorous commentary is provided by Helvetica the raven. Absolutely delightful.
They Call Me No Sam! by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Written in diary format from Sam the Pug's point of view, this chapter book will tickle your reader's funny bone. Sam's wry observations about humans and their odd behaviors are paired with line drawings depicting his chaotically hilarious adventures.
Bunny and Clyde by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Scott Nash
A bunny and chipmunk pals decide to see what happens when they purposefully try to be bad. What could go wrong? Not to worry, anxious parents, although the "bad behavior" includes things like messing up the alphabetical order of books, wrapping toilet paper around roses, coloring on the walls, Bunny and Clyde accept the consequences. However, not everyone responds as expected! Great fun with surprising twists.
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers (series) by John Dougherty, illustrated by Sam Ricks
Find it: Amazon
If your kids love over-the-top humor, weird and crazy action, this British import is for them! Stinkbomb and his sister, Ketchup-Face, are certain that badgers are responsible for their missing money. They head out to meet King Toothbrush Weasel to foil the evil, treacherous bad-news badgers. This series is incredibly silly and kids will LOVE it.
MORE: Funny Early Chapter Books
Roxie and the Hooligans (2 book series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The bullies at school tease Roxie mercilessly, but when they are all trapped on a desert island with some cut-throat criminals, Roxie draws upon the survival skills knowledge she learned from Lord Thistlebottom's Book of Pitfalls and How to Survive Them. A very clever book with well-rounded characters (the bullies turn out not to be stereotypes), a bit of comedy and a lot of adventure.
Ivy & Bean (series) by Annie Barrows
Bean and Ivy are best friends with highly creative imaginations and a flair for inventing complicated games and finding convoluted solutions to problems. Both girls are intensely likable and their adventures will have your kids in stitches. Don’t miss these books; large font, illustrations and short chapters make them a high quality chose for beginning readers.
MORE: Books like Ivy + Bean
The Chicken Squad (series) by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
In this very funny series that evokes the world of old-school detectives, Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie are chicks with varying degrees of intelligence. They solve backyard crimes that inevitably involve the squirrel population, a friendly dog, and a lot of laughs.
MORE: Animal Themed Early Chapter Books
Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (series) by Erin Entrada Kelly
Marisol Rainey is trying to be brave enough to climb the magnolia tree in her backyard but she has a fear of falling. Her friend, Jada, climbs the tree and Marisol hopes that this is the summer in which she will get over her fears. This is a lovely chapter book about friendship, courage and family relationships.
Bunjitsu Bunny (series) by John Himmelman
Bunjitsu Bunny one of my favorite early chapter books! Each book is composed of short vignettes about Isabel and her friends who all study martial arts. Each clever and funny story conveys a zen-like lesson without being at all preachy. My then-6 year old was very into the idea of battles and fighting so he of course loved reading a book in which the first action sequence involved the possibility of one character head-butting a door (they don't actually get that far...). I, however, was delighted with the "sneaky" lessons in non-violence, friendship, compassion and self-discipline!
Lulu and the Brontosaurus (series) by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lane Smith
Quirky is the name of the game for this story about a gimme-gimme-gimmie girl who learns some valuable lessons about sharing and putting others before herself. Viorst's hilarious text is accompanied by Lane Smith's great illustrations.
MORE: Mystery Early Chapter Books
J. D. and the Great Barber Battle (series) by J. Dillard, illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts
This is a sweet and very funny series! J.D.'s mom has given him a terrible haircut, and when J.D. tries to remedy the situation he discovers that he is actually a hair-cutting genius! But when the town barber gets fed up with losing all his clients to J.D., it's time for a show-down!
MORE: Fantastical Early Chapter Books
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
I adore the weirdness of this tale. On a dark night, Otilla meets a talking skull who becomes her friend. Otilla aims to protect Skull from a headless skeleton that pursues him every night. More oddball than spooky, Klassen's signature illustrations and wry humor are on full and glorious display.
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