When we hear the term ‘literature’, thick, serious books spring to mind, often ones laden with melancholy. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and if we look for them, there are plenty of great books to tickle our funny bones.

Humour is important to the development of critical thinking skills, which is especially crucial for young, developing minds. After all, humour relies on not taking things at face value – instead, it prompts readers to carefully analyse and evaluate what they encounter. It also teaches readers to view things from contrasting perspectives. Humour develops these important skills that will not only aid their early development but also form an important foundation for later academic success.

Another important reason for humour in literature is to make things interesting for readers – whether young or old, it is difficult to keep reading when each page is a slog. Humour not only ensures that young readers keep reading, but that they return for more. This is hardly a small benefit, as reading is associated with traits like cognitive development, improved language skills, increased concentration and discipline, and improved imagination and creativity, to name a few.

Of course, we can’t forget the major reason for having humour in our reading materials – fun! Books are not simply a medium for education and personal development but also a form of relaxation, especially for children. They are often no less stressed than adults are, and research has shown that people who laugh more are generally healthier and less prone to stress and depression.

As you can see, there are many reasons why humour is a vital part of children’s literature. After all, it is not only a source of joy but also crucial to children’s growth and development. Don’t hold back from humorous stories or books for your child; and if you need a recommendation, we’re always ready to help at iLearner.

For more on humour, check out the newsletter we dedicated to the subject. It’s packed with jokes, reading recommendations and plenty of tips to make language learning fun.