Writing Humour for Children: Laughing all the way to the bank?

by Celia J Anderson

It’s easy for aspiring authors to think that all we need to do to make our fortune is to rattle off a funny children’s book. How hard can it be, for goodness sake?
J.K. did it in a café. Comedians like David Walliams got the under elevens sniggering. Even Madonna had a bash at it.

Children love to laugh

Children love to laugh, don’t they? They love custard pies, slapstick, slipping on banana skins and jokes about breaking wind. Well, true – but it’s not until you settle down to write humour for the under 12s that you begin to realise what a minefield it can be.

Views from the chalk face: what makes them laugh?

As a teacher in a primary school, I’m in the enviable position of having a captive audience on tap. Nine and ten year olds pull no punches, and as the writing process trundles along, sometimes creaking and groaning a bit, they have been my best critics. When they laugh out loud, it’s the best feeling in the world. If they don’t, I think hard and rewrite with a bit more oomph. If they beg for more, I know I’m nearly there. 

If they beg for more... I'm nearly there

 Recently, I asked for their opinions on what makes a book funny.

• We like it when people break wind - a lot.
• And when it’s smelly; anything smelly is good.
• Also if a story has stuff about underpants in it.
• If there are funny, weird made up words and names.
• Oh, and when it says bum,
• ...and when it says knickers
• ...and poo is really funny, obviously.

This week we’ve rattled our way through a wide variety of rib-tickling reads. The leaders in the field at the moment are:

GANGSTA GRANNY by David Walliams
Favourite quote; ‘As she took each step a little bubble of wind puffed out of her saggy bottom. It sounded like a duck quacking. Either she didn’t realise or was extremely good at pretending she didn’t realise.'

THE EMPEROR'S UNDERWEAR by Laurence Anholt and Arthur Robins
The text is simple and sparing and the pictures made the whole class erupt in helpless giggles.

THE WORLD'S WINDIEST BAY by Steve Hartley
Naturally includes lots of wind-based jokes. Very popular, especially with the boys.

DIARY OF A KILLER CAT by Anne Fine
Understated, ironic and easy to read.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES : THE ANGRY AZTECS by Terry Deary
The past made entertaining – tips on how to find a wife; 'Boys, choose your bride. It has to be someone of your own position in society. You must use an old lady as the messenger to carry your proposal. Your granny would do.'

Moments of truth 

Over the last couple of years, I’ve found it more and more essential to read my children’s fiction aloud when I think it’s nearly there. It’s so much easier to find out if you’re sounding pompous that way. Sometimes, the blank faces tell you that you’re way off the mark and you’re not being remotely funny, but now and again, it works first time. A group of ten and eleven year old reviewers acting as guinea pigs liked this opening line from my latest book, Teacher Torture.

An icy wind was blowing across the sea from Norway. Flynn wished Norway had kept it.

"...and poo is really funny, obviously"

Blasts from the Past

Looking through the bookshelves at home and seeing the rows of relics from my childhood, the most tattered and loved books are obvious. Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the series by the wonderful A.A Milne appeal to so many age groups. If they’re read aloud, very young children can appreciate the subtle humour, and adults will still laugh at the tricky relationships and laconic conversations between the residents of the wood. I have always loved the stories by Elizabeth Enright – less obviously funny but so clever, with the Melandy family including the sarcastic Rush and feisty Randy. Spike Milligan never fails to amuse, and recent additions include Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men series and the stories of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

Top tips to avoid slipping on the banana skin of children’s literature:

• Don’t talk down to your audience, even if they are considerably shorter than you.
• Do your research thoroughly - read as many funny children’s books as you can manage without being overcome with a need to say ‘bum’ and ‘fart’ in everyday conversation.
• Keep it simple for the very small people. Complicated plots can be sneaked in later.

Good luck!

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@CeliaAnderson1

When she’s not marking children’s work, or writing stories involving pants, Celia spends far too much time on Facebook (Celia Joy Anderson) and does a lot of walking to counteract the cooking, eating and drinking which form another of her hobbies. She blogs as part of the Romaniacs online writers’ group . Her own website is now nearly ready to be launched. Celia’s first novel, Sweet Proposal, a contemporary romance involving chocolate, a jacuzzi and a bespoke bookshop, will be published by Piatkus Entice on August 1st. Her ultimate dream is to have her children’s books published too. Usually sea-starved in the depths of the Midlands, she can often be found wandering happily around Brighton visiting her two daughters pretending to collect ideas for her next book.