Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Charleston, SC

There's nothing like the sound of a good belly laugh from your child, when the giggles just seem to bubble up from down deep and spill out without restraint. While there are a lot of children's books I love for their sweet lessons and gorgeous illustrations, there are a few that have a special place on the bookcase because of their ability to make us laugh out loud.

Just in case my sense of humor didn't match yours, I asked some friends to weigh in on their families' favorite funnies.  Feel free to share your favorite LOL reads in the comments!

1. Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner. Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat who thinks he's a chihuahua. And trust me, animal identity crises can be really freakin' funny! I don't know if it's the fact that I bust out in song while reading or the fact that my Spanish accent is so funny, but my kids think this book (and the other Skippyjon adventures) is hilarious.

2. Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos. My friend Paul recommended this book, published (ahem) WAY BACK in 1980 for its weird and surreal tale of Ralph, a really rotten little cat, and the girl who loves him.  The non-traditional illustrations add to the funny nature of this choice.

3. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith was recommended by my friend Dorothy, who I also trust to recommend excellent grown-up literature for me.  This pick tells the story of the Three Little Pigs, but from the perspective of the big bad wolf, who claims to be terribly misunderstood.  There's plenty of opportunity to "ham it up" in the telling of this side of the tale.

4. The Day the Babies Crawled Away by Peggy Rathmann.  While everyone is distracted at a carnival, the babies get themselves into all kinds of trouble. While the words are funny, they're layered on illustrations that will surprise and entertain even the littlest ones.  Plus, as my friend Barclay (who recommended this pick) says, "It has a nice cadence to it so that you can pep it up or slow it down."

5. I Stink by Kate McMullen and Jim McMullen.  The bold, testosterone-laden garbage truck in this story tells you all about the ins and outs of trash collection.  This story will make them laugh with lots of sound effects and serious attitude.  Recommended by Rangeley, who is quite possibly the last person I would think to like a book about a garbage truck, so you know it has to be funny!