Top 5 books for children, chosen by Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas is an actor and comedian who is well-known for his TV work and growing body of books.

At the start of the month, he released a very very very very very very very silly book of games and to celebrate he has listed his favourite five books for kids.

Rabunzel by Gareth P Jones, illustrated by Loretta Schauer

You’ve heard of Rapunzel – the fairy tale about a girl with lots and lots of hair (too much if you ask me). What’s better than a princess in a tower? A kung fu bunny rabbit with very long ears… in a tower.

A picture book that packs a punch right to the funny bone.

Nursery? Not Today! by Rebecca Patterson, illustrated by Nikki Dyson

As many kids head to nursery for the first time, this funny story will ease their worries and fill them with confidence (and make nervous parents feel a bit better too). And dog-lovers like me will adore Rosa, the cute pug at the heart of the story.

Monster Hunting for Beginners by Ian Mark

Myths, monsters and awful aunties. A stonking adventure. We join Jack as he becomes apprentice to a 200-year-old monster hunter called Stoop.

There are jokes on every page – even the footnotes and illustrations. You’ll also learn the difference between a giant, an ogre and a troll. Bonus!

Llama Out Loud! By Annabelle Sami, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan

Giggles galore in this series as one sassy – and very funny – llama comes to wreak havoc in 10-year-old Yasmin’s life. A clear winner for llama lovers.

The Barry Loser series by Jim Smith

A total classic. Barry thinks he’s the coolest, until the kids at school make him start to question himself.

With jokes, pranks, funny drawings and plenty of burps and farts, it’s perfect for people like me who love stories with a big dose of silliness.

Matt Lucas’s own giggle-guaranteed book My Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Very Silly Book of Games (illustrated by Sarah Horne) is out now (Farshore, £6.99)

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine. If you cannot reach local your vendor, you can still click HERE to subscribe to The Big Issue today or give a gift subscription to a friend or family member. You can also purchase one-off issues from The Big Issue Shop or The Big Issue app, available now from the App Store or Google Play.