Do you celebrate April Fool’s Day with your kids? My boys are just now old enough to understand it, so I think we will have some fun playing jokes on each other this year. Before we do, we’re going to do some reading so they will understand that funny and safe jokes are best. Here are some of my favorite books for April Fool’s Day — I used them as read-alouds in the classroom when I was teaching, and I still love them today.
7 Children’s Books for April Fool’s Day
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April Foolishness by Teresa Bateman — Grandpa calmly ignores his grandchildren’s insistence that the farm animals have escaped and are wreaking havoc on the farm. He refuses to be taken in by their April Fool’s joke! But are there stories foolishness or fact? This one is a great read-aloud for preschoolers.
April Fool, Phyllis! by Susanna Leonard Hill — Punxsutawney Phyllis knows that it’s spring, but she’s also sure that a blizzard is coming soon. Unfortunately, it’s April 1st, so no one will believe her warnings! This sweet book is a blend of lore from two fun holidays.
Barnyard Fun by Maureen Wright — Sheep comes up with all kinds of funny tricks to play on the other farm animals, from setting Roosters alarm clock back to putting snakes in Dog’s food. However, in this rhyming story, it’s the other farm animals who get the last laugh.
Arthur’s April Fool by Marc Brown — A favorite from my own childhood! Arthur is nervous when Binky takes his pen and threatens to “pulverize” him. However, Arthur is able to use his brain and little bit of April Fool’s Day magic to outsmart the bully.
April Fool! Watch Out at School! by Diane DeGroat — Gilbert is excited to play tricks on his friends for April Fool’s Day, but somehow he is the one who ends up getting tricked instead! Will he be able to pull off the best trick ever before the day is over?
Max and Zoe: Too Many Tricks by Shelley Swanson Sateren — Max has a great time playing tricks on Zoe for April Fool’s Day. However, Max must learn the difference between tricks that are funny and tricks that are hurtful.
Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day by Kate McMullan — Over and over again, Wagner keeps getting tricked by his friends on April 1st. He’s determined to pull off a trick of his own! This book is a great choice for beginning readers.
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