MOWMT 7: Humor in PBs with Ana Siqueira

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Humor is often treated as light or silly—but in picture books, humor is powerful. It can open emotional doors, soften hard conversations, and create instant connection. As author-illustrator Eliza Kinkz puts it: “Humor is a superpower as it can make you connect with someone instantly! We don't agree on so much these days, BUT we all react the same when we hear a fart. As laughter is healing, and can make hard conversations easier to swallow, having them end in acceptance and joy.”

As writers, we can use humor to help children feel safe, seen, and eager to turn the page. Here are a few ways humor shines in picture books—and how mentor texts model it.

An Unexpected, Funny Problem

One of the easiest ways to bring humor into a picture book is through a surprising or exaggerated problem.

In The Last Slice by Melissa Seron Richardson and Monica Arnaldo, María is terrified she’ll accidentally eat the baby Jesus figurine hidden in the rosca. 

Similarly, in Old Clothes for Dinner, the main character hears her Abuela say she’s cooking ropa vieja, a Cuban shredded beef dish—and mistakenly believes they’ll be eating old clothes. Misunderstandings like this are goldmines for childlike humor.

Incongruity: When Things Don’t Fit

Incongruity is one of the most classic forms of humor. It’s what happens when something appears completely out of place—a mismatch.

In Fright Club by Ethan Long, the idea that a rabbit wants to join a scary monster club is both unexpected and instantly funny. Kids love this type of mismatch because it mirrors the way they notice the world: with curiosity, confusion, and glee.

Character Flaws (the Lovable Kind)

Sometimes the humor springs directly from WHO your character is.

In Mistaco by Eliza Kinkz, the main character proudly holds the title “President of Mistakes.” Her endearing flaw—making lots of mistakes—becomes the comedic engine that drives the story. When we exaggerate a character’s quirks, kids not only laugh, but they also connect emotionally.

The Unreliable (and Very Imaginative) Narrator

Another source of humor is a narrator who sees the world in a wildly imaginative way.

In my book If Your Abuelo Is an Astronauta (illustrated by Irena Freitas), the narrator’s imagination takes over the entire story. Sprinkles become a dangerous sky storm. Balls turn into meteorites. A tire swing? Clearly a massive black hole.

The humor comes from the gap between reality and the child’s interpretation—a gap young readers joyfully recognize.

Art: The Secret Weapon of Humor

Of course, art can (and should!) elevate the humor. Sometimes the funniest moments in a picture book aren’t written—they’re drawn. Unexpected visual gags, side characters reacting dramatically, or humorous details that never appear in the text can turn a good story into a laugh‑out‑loud one.

In Summary

Humor may feel light, but it does heavy lifting. It bonds us. It opens us. It invites children into stories with warmth and delight. Read the mentor texts above, explore how humor works, and then—go write something that will make kids giggle themselves silly.

PRIZE!

To celebrate this post, I’m offering your choice of:

🎁 A 30‑minute AMA (Ask Me Anything) session

OR

🎁 A Picture Book Critique

(non‑rhyming fiction, 800 words or less)

Bio: Ana Siqueira

Ana Siqueira is an award‑winning Brazilian-American author and educator who loves bringing humor, culture, and corazón to children’s books. Her stories are filled with brujas, astronautas, and supercapas—playful, imaginative tales rooted in her rich multicultural heritage. Her books include Bella's Recipe for Success (Beaming Books, 2021), If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja (S\&S, 2022), Abuela’s Super Capa (HarperCollins, 2023), Our World Brazil (Barefoot Books, 2024), La Mala Suerte Is Following You (Charlesbridge, 2024), Vera La Valiente Is Scared (Beaming Books, 2024), Sticky Hermana (Charlesbridge, 2025), If Your Abuelo Is an Astronauta (Simon & Schuster, 2026), and Mami’s Heart (HarperCollins, 2026), among others.

When she isn’t writing, Ana teaches Spanish and takes her Brazilian‑Cuban‑American grandkids on endless aventuras. Find more books, resources, and fun at anafiction.com, her YouTube channel @AnaTeacherWriter, Instagram @asiqueira1307, and her Substack anasiqueira13.

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