Childrens Picture Books - 3 Funny Kids Story Books Illustrated for Kids Under 5

Let me introduce you to 3 delightful and funny kids story books that you very likely won't have heard of. Each book is a classic childrens picture book illustrated for kids about 5 years and under. These great children's books are virtually unknown outside New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom but have a large following in these countries.

All of these kids books hold a special place in my heart. They are absolute gems for the developing child. Children's picture books of this caliber are few and far between. Each so simple and yet so so clever in its simplicity.

All of the three books I have chosen The Wonky Donkey, Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and The Little Yellow Digger are written by New Zealand authors. The books are about everyday themes that young children can understand and enjoy.

Language is used cleverly to both extend a child's vocabulary and to encourage kids to recite passages. Each story book is beautifully illustrated to capture the mood and character of the story being told. And best of all each of these children's picture books are very very funny and a wonderful learning experience for the child learning about the gift of reading.

Meet Wonky Donkey. One of the most refreshing and funny children's picture books you will ever encounter. Everyone I know adores this funny kids story book.

A friend of mine with young children told me the other day that the whole family were in stitches reading Wonky Donkey. The kids loved it so much they kept begging for do more and more. They must have read it about 50 times over in just a couple of weeks!!! No one could stop giggling!

This is how we are introduced to Wonky Donkey:

"I was walking down the road and I saw . . .

A donkey,

Hee Haw!

And he only had three legs!

He was a wonky donkey."

The Wonky Donky picture book comes complete with a CD of Craig Smith the author performing a retelling of the story as a song. Craig won an APRA Silver Scroll Award in 2008 for Best Children's Song of the Year.

The addition of the CD adds value to an already highly entertaining children's story book. The Wonky Donkey song is so catchy and popular with kids it will easily become a firm favorite in your household and very likely a treasured childhood memory for your kids in years to come.

Wonky Donkey is beautifully illustrated by Kate Cowley who captures the delightful character of Wonky Donkey who is a little bit naughty but very endearing.

When you read Wonky Donkey aloud to kids they shriek with laughter and of course try to guess what might be coming next. You see as this kids book goes along we hear more and more adjectives to describe Wonky Donkey. With each page another description gets added to Wonky Donkey's story until at the end of the book we find out that Wonky Donkey is a ................. honky-tonky, winky wonky, donkey! Can't give it all away now can I?

Everyone's favorite black dog Hairy Maclary and his gang of memorable canine friends is a classic childrens picture book by Lynley Dodd, an award-winning author/illustrator who lives in New Zealand.

Kids love the simple plot of Hairy Maclary in which we see Hairy and his friends pitched against Scarface Claw, the meanest cat in town. Among Hairy Maclary's friends are a dalmatian Bottomley Potts (all covered in spots), an old English sheepdog Muffin McClay (like a bundle of hay), a dachshund called Schnitzel Von Krumm (with a very low tum).

The combination of great rhyme and pictures makes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy an easy and fun storybook to read. As you read Hairy Maclary aloud you will find yourself practically singing along. Kids love joining in with all the memorable repetitions of which there are many. Don't be surprised to hear them reciting passages from the book long after you have stopped reading to them.

The illustrations in Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy are imaginative and delighful. The language and vocabulary used is exciting, funny, and educational. Children as young as 6 months can enjoy the book as it also comes in a board book version.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy has spawned other books in the series too including:

• Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet (a huge favorite with kids)
• Hairy Maclary's Bone
• Hairy Maclary's Scattercat
• Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper

If you are looking for a best ever kids bedtime storybook you can not go past Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. This book is an absolute classic children's picture book that you don't want to be without.

Based on a true story the Little Yellow Digger is about a digger that gets stuck in the mud on a rainy day. The workmen bring in bigger and bigger diggers each time to solve the problem only to find that more and more equipment gets stuck in the mud and they are no further ahead. The workmen end up giving up until a fine day when the mud has dried. Much to everyone's surprise it is the smallest digger, The Little Yellow Digger that saves the day.

Whether your child is 12 months or 5 years you will find they are likely to be fascinated by this lovely illustrated story book which presents themes of kindness, working together and looking after animals.

Author Betty Gilderdale uses rhyme and simple repetition to tell the story. Chances are you will read this book so many times to your child or grandchild you will end up being able to recite this wonderful children's picture book from cover to cover yourself.