Funny books for kids 8–12: a Christmas gift guide for kids who "don't like reading"
Ideas and practical tips for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and teachers looking for a book gift that actually gets opened, read and quoted at the dinner table.
Full disclosure: this guide is written by the team behind Murphy's Law for Kids, so yes, we're a little biased.
Books for reluctant readers: what actually works
Kids who say they "don't like reading" often just don't like long reading. A few things make a book far more likely to be picked up on Boxing Day and not abandoned by New Year:
- Short sections. A page or two at a time feels doable, and every finished bit is a small win.
- Humour. If it makes them laugh, they'll read the next bit – and read it out to you.
- Things they recognise. School, siblings, homework, phones and friends beat far-off fantasy for some kids.
- No pressure. Books you can open anywhere, in any order, are perfect for bedtime, car journeys and the loo.
Funny books for kids 8–12: Murphy's Law for Kids
Murphy's Law for Kids by Professor Max Murphy collects 101 hilariously true rules about why things go wrong at the worst possible moment – the toast that lands butter-side down, the printer that breaks the night before the project is due.
Each law is short and punchy, so it suits reluctant readers, and each one quietly helps kids see that setbacks are normal, not personal. That's the resilience bit – delivered as a joke rather than a lecture.
Read 10 sample laws to see the style.
Get your copy on Amazon
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Stocking fillers for kids who don't like reading
The paperback is slim (132 pages, 6×9 in), so it works as a stocking filler for a big stocking or a "main present" sidekick under the tree. A few ways to make it feel like more than "just a book":
Add a notebook
Write "My own Murphy's Laws" on the front. Kids love inventing laws about their own family – see our write-your-own game.
Add a torch
Short laws are perfect for "just one more" under-the-covers reading.
Add a note
Try: "Murphy's Law of Christmas: the batteries are never included. Luckily, books don't need any."
Christmas gifts for grandchildren, nieces, nephews and pupils
Grandparents, aunts and uncles posting from far away
Use the store picker to buy from the child's own country – amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca or amazon.com.au – and send it straight to their address. Amazon shows gift options (such as a gift message or gift receipt) at checkout where available.
Order early: delivery dates in December vary by country and format, so check the estimate on Amazon before you buy. The Kindle edition arrives instantly.
Teachers and classrooms
One law makes a quick, funny discussion starter: "Has this ever happened to you? What could you do next time?" The hardcover is a sturdy pick for a class library.
For older brothers and sisters: Murphy's Law for Teens
Buying for a tween and a teenager? Murphy's Law for Teens covers school stress, social drama, group chats, exams and cringe. Kindle out now; the paperback is coming soon.
Finding the right "Murphy's Law for Kids" book
There are several Murphy's Law books for children with similar names. This one is by Professor Max Murphy, has the bright yellow cover with buttery toast, a fried egg and an alarm clock, and its paperback ASIN is B0GS7134BP. The buttons on this site always go to the right listing.
Questions grown-ups ask
What age is Murphy's Law for Kids for?
It is written for children aged 8 to 12. Amazon lists a reading age of 6 to 15, so confident younger readers and older kids who enjoy a laugh can enjoy it too; younger children may like reading it with a grown-up.
Is it a good book for reluctant readers?
It was written with them in mind: the book is made of short, punchy chapters, one law at a time, so children can dip in and out rather than tackle a long story.
Is it a story book?
No. It is a humour book of 101 'laws' about everyday life - school, homework, friendships, siblings, sports, technology and family - each explained in a funny, relatable way.
How big is it? Will it fit in a stocking?
The paperback is 132 pages and 6 x 9 inches (about 15 x 23 cm) - slim, but bigger than a pocket book, so it suits a large stocking or sits nicely under the tree.
Which formats are available?
Paperback, hardcover and Kindle on Amazon in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, plus an audiobook with computer-generated Virtual Voice narration on Amazon.com.
Is there a version for teenagers?
Yes - Murphy's Law for Teens: 101 Hilariously True Rules for Surviving School, Social Drama, and Everything That Goes Sideways. The Kindle edition is out now and the paperback is coming soon.
How do I make sure I buy the right Murphy's Law for Kids book?
Several books have similar titles. Look for the author name Professor Max Murphy and the bright yellow cover with buttery toast and a fried egg. The paperback ASIN is B0GS7134BP.
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