How to write a laugh-out-loud story by Steven Butler

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How to write a laugh-out-loud funny story

Dog Diaries: Dinosaur Disaster!

The sixth book in the hilarious Dog Diaries series featuring Rafe Khatchadorian's pet pooch, Junior

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' MEGAN RIX 
 
I have something very IM-PAW-TANT to tell you... 
 
I was with my mutt mates in the dog park when we saw something MONSTROUS through the trees...I recognized it straight away. It was a huge DINO-ROAR! 
 
Now, I know what you're thinking - dino-roars don't exist anymore, right? WRONG. I spotted one in the flesh, well in the bone...And it smelt tail-waggingly tasty! 
 
I followed its sniff-a-licious scent to the BIGGEST building I've ever seen, and the smells coming from inside were the most dusty, moldy, oldy, dirt-lectable whiffs I've ever wrapped my snout around. 
 
I don't know what the humongous building is, but what I do know is that I just HAVE to get inside. It will be the greatest challenge my pooch pack have ever faced!

Steven Butler (Author) Steven is the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award-winning author of The Nothing to See Here Hotel as well as The Diary of Dennis the Menace series and The Wrong Pong series, which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He's also an actor, dancer and trained aerialist as well as a keen observer of trolls and their disgusting habits. His primary school headmaster was the fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong. Steven lives in London. James Patterson (Author) JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. Among his creations are some of the world's most popular series including Alex Cross, the Women's Murder Club, Michael Bennett and the Private novels. He has written many other number one bestsellers including collaborations with President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, stand-alone thrillers and non-fiction. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries for the past fourteen years in a row. He lives in Florida with his family.

I have something very IM-PAW-TANT to tell you... 
 
I was with my mutt mates in the dog park when we saw something MONSTROUS through the trees...I recognized it straight away. It was a huge DINO-ROAR! 
 
Now, I know what you're thinking - dino-roars don't exist anymore, right? WRONG. I spotted one in the flesh, well in the bone...And it smelt tail-waggingly tasty! 
 
I followed its sniff-a-licious scent to the BIGGEST building I've ever seen, and the smells coming from inside were the most dusty, moldy, oldy, dirt-lectable whiffs I've ever wrapped my snout around. 
 
I don't know what the humongous building is, but what I do know is that I just HAVE to get inside. It will be the greatest challenge my pooch pack have ever faced!

Dog Diaries: Camping Chaos!

The fifth book in the hilarious Dog Diaries series featuring Rafe Khatchadorian's pet pooch, Junior

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' MEGAN RIX 
 
I can’t wait to get to the most magical place in the world—THE WOODS! Just imagine all the adventures… 
 
· Doggy-paddling in the lake 
· Barking at raccoons 
· And my quest to find the greatest stick in the universe! 
 
But all my best plans are ruined when Iona Stricker—the most miserable, cruel, and obedience-loving human you could ever hope not to meet—shows up, making any fun impossible. 
 
Until… a canine criminal, escaped from POOCH PRISON, sneaks into the camp and changes everything! 
 
This vacation might be fun after all!

Dog Diaries: Curse of the Mystery Mutt

In the fourth book in the hilarious Dog Diaries series, it's Halloween and Junior sets out to uncover the identity of a mystery mutt who is terrorising the town

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' MEGAN RIX 
 
AAAAAAAAAAAGH! 
 
Something terrible is going on, my person-pal! Something so DREADFUL, it’s enough to curl your tail with TERROR (if you have one, of course)... 
 
A spine-jangling HOWLING has been heard in the middle of the night, favorite toys have been STOLEN, trash bags have been SHREDDED and all the best pee-spots have been RE-SCENTED! 
 
It must have something to do with the NIGHT OF THE HOWLY WIENER, which is only days away… 
 
Can I find the evil mastermind who is TERRIER-izing our town?!

Dog Diaries: Mission Impawsible

The third book in the hilarious illustrated series Dog Diaries, featuring Rafe Khatchadorian's pet pooch, Junior

Steven Butler (Author) Steven is the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award-winning author of The Nothing to See Here Hotel as well as The Diary of Dennis the Menace series and The Wrong Pong series, which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He's also an actor, dancer and trained aerialist as well as a keen observer of trolls and their disgusting habits. His primary school headmaster was the fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong. Steven lives in London. James Patterson (Author) JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. Among his creations are some of the world's most popular series including Alex Cross, the Women's Murder Club, Michael Bennett and the Private novels. He has written many other number one bestsellers including collaborations with President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, stand-alone thrillers and non-fiction. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries for the past fourteen years in a row. He lives in Florida with his family. Richard Watson (Illustrator) Richard Watson is an illustrator based in North Lincolnshire and has been working on children's books since graduating from the University of Lincoln in 2003 with a degree in illustration. 
 
 His work is mainly produced digitally and a few of his other interests include cinema, wildlife and music.

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' MEGAN RIX 
 
You'll never guess what, my person-pal... 
 
I'M GOING TO HOLLYWOOD! 
 
And, what's even better? All my best mutt-mates are coming with me! But my dreams of being talent-spotted while walking down streets paved with sausage meat don't quite come true... 
 
And when the vacation takes a VERY unexpected turn, I'll need to find a way to escape a LIVING NIGHTMARE and get us all home!

Dog Diaries: Happy Howlidays!

Follow-up to the hilarious illustrated novel Dog Diaries, featuring Rafe Khatchadorian's pet pooch, Junior

The book tunes in perfectly to children's sense of humour and is pretty well guaranteed to have them giggling throughout, at both the story and Richard Watson's entertaining illustrations. Great fun, drawing the reader in right from the start.

Irrepressible young dog Junior is back with a dog's-eye-view of Christmas, or as he knows it, Crisp-Mouth ... His enthusiasm knows no bounds, and it proves a real struggle to be good, especially as Junior consistently gets things WRONG ... Junior's breathless narrative style and Richard Watson's illustrations make this super-readable, and newly confident readers will love this funny story and its bouncy, endlessly optimistic narrator.

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' MEGAN RIX 
 
Hello, my furless friend! 
 
Are you ready for a festive adventure? 
 
Join me, Junior Catch-A-Doggy-Bone, and my doggy pals on the poochiest, most barktastic journey through the HOWLIDAY SEASON. 
 
We’ll learn all about FANGS GIVING, CRISP-MOUTH and the mysterious SAINT LICK. 
 
Find out why people called Carol come and sing outside the front door. 
 
And why trees suddenly appear inside your kennel!

Dog Diaries

A hilarious illustrated novel from the bestselling author of the Middle School series

A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!

Lively and funny, these illustrated chaotic canine capers will keep young readers entertained and eagerly anticipating further instalments of Junior’s diaries.

Narrated at breathless speed by super-excited puppy Junior, this new series is spot-on for newly confident readers ... Junior's enthusiasm for life is catching, and it's impossible not to be completely caught up in his descriptions of his daily activities ... Great fun, and super-readable too.

Got a lot of laughs from our testers, two of whom are obsessed with dogs, so they particularly loved it. It tells the story from a dog’s point of view and has plenty of illustrations for kids to enjoy ... A popular choice.

'A perfect story to tickle the funny bone of any young reader!' Megan Rix 
 
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! 
 
I’ve been waiting ages to tell my story, and now it’s finally happening! 
 
Being Rafe’s dog isn’t always easy, but it is always EXCITING! 
 
I’ve got so much to tell you about: 
 
The amazing Catch-A-Doggy-Bone kennel 
My favorite places for hiding snacks 
And my ultimate nemesis – THE VACUUM CLEANER! 
 
All the most important parts of a dog’s life.

Odd Bods

Ava is a strange child. 
Boris is too . . . 
Clara, we're not sure about. 
I think she is, don't you? 
 
A hilarious, raucous and slightly disgusting romp through the quirks and oddities of the strangest children you will ever come across!

So what exactly *is* normal anyway?We're not even sure there is such a thing and that's why we're overjoyed that Steven Butler and Jarvis have collaborated to create this wonderful book entitled 'Odd Bods'. 
 
In this rather raucous rhyming tale, we meet a number of characters, each with their own quirks. 
 
Celebrating an alphabet of every weird and wonderful child out there, whoever they are and where ever they may be. 
 
It acknowledges their foibles, recognises their quirks and gives a massive high five to their oddities. 
From smelly Edie to Percy who's mute, there's someone in here that many of us can relate to. 
 
Butler's punchy rhyme is supported effortlessly by Jarvis's almost luminous palette. Inspired use of block colour backgrounds and vibrant pops of colour make for an engaging read. Coupled with the jaunty cadence of this ditty, these two elements carry the reader through this humorous song-like tale with ease. 
 
It's a story that's sure to spark conversation and hopefully highlight the wealth of oddities that exist among us all. 
 
With diverse themes including humour, inclusion, friendship and surrealism, this makes for a great read for all audiences, young and old. 
 
The ending is both sublime and unexpected and we can't wait to share this with our pre schoolers.

We get through a LOT of books. The girls each have their ever shifting favourites, currently the Snail and the Whale and I need a wee have been frequently requested. 
 
This week we were sent Odd Bods, a rhyming story that introduces a host of bizarre children. The press release has this to say: 
 
In this hilarious new rhyming tale, comedic genius Steven Butler and incredible illustrator talent Jarvis take us on a raucous romp through the quirks and oddities of a whole alphabet of children! 
The weirdest and most wonderful personalities play together in a wacky world, encouraging children and parents alike to celebrate strangeness and embrace individuality. 
For anyone and everyone with a beloved wild child! 
 
Odd bods is a joy to read. The rhymes are natural and the mixture of character traits on display from the odd bods are interesting and entertaining. The odd bods are nicely drawn, showing great amounts of character in a single image. The girls have asked to read it several times this week, a very good sign! There are certain books that they ask me to read them that fill me with dread. 
 
Odd bods is definitely not one of them, it's a real treat!

I'm pretty sure I've never been called 'normal' so this book was perfect. Odd Bods is a celebration of every weird and wild child. Written by Steven Butler with colourful and quirky illustrations by Jarvis it was a joy to read. 
 
As soon as we started to read this Clem was attracted by all the wonderfully colourful pages. Working its way through the alphabet from Ava to Ramona to Percy and Franklyn, it celebrates each childs oddness and weird ways. I enjoyed the rhymes, Clem loved all the colours and there were even a few ewws. 
 
As someone who likes being weird this book is definitely a favourite of mine. Since it arrived we've read it quite a few times so I'm guessing that Clem enjoyed it too.

Steven Butler (Author) 
 Steven Butler is the author of the bestselling Diary of Dennis the Menace fiction series. As well as writing the hit 2015 World Book Day title, World Menace Day, Steven also hosted World Book Day's the Biggest Book Show on Earth for over 13,000 children and dozens of top-name authors. 
 
Steven Butler is an actor, dancer and trained circus performer. He has appeared in The Wizard of Oz in London's West End and was Henry in Horrid Henry Live and Horrid! 
 
His primary school headmaster was the fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong. Steven's first novel, The Wrong Pong, was shortlisted for the prestigious Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2009. 
 
Jarvis (Illustrator) 
 Jarvis did lots of different jobs before creating his first children's book including a bingo caller, a bouncy castle painter, a record sleeve designer and an animation director. He's always doodled characters, and thinks that everything he's done in the past has helped make him a better children's picture book illustrator and writer...maybe not the bingo calling... Jarvis wants the books he creates to be very personal, and particularly loves the nature of children's books, what they can do and how they can be kept and loved as little treasures.

Ava is a strange child. 
Boris is too . . . 
Clara, we're not sure about. 
I think she is, don't you? 
 
A hilarious, raucous and slightly disgusting romp through the quirks and oddities of the strangest children you will ever come across!

The Wrong Pong: Singin' in the Drain

The fourth hilarious book from Steven Butler, author of The Wrong Pong, The Wrong Pong: Holiday Hullabaloo and The Wrong Pong: Troll's Treasure. Delightfully disgusting mischief and mayhem, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Andy Stanton. 
 
Rubella is a grotsome and moodsie troll - and she wants to be on the stage! Can Neville help his disgustingly rambunkin troll family squeeze Rubella into a ballet tutu and tights and into the starring role? 
 
As well as being a successful children's author, Steven Butler is a talented actor and dancer who has appeared alongside Ralph Fiennes in a recent production of The Tempest as well as in Horrid Henry and The Wizard of Oz on the West End stage. His books are loved and praised by comic talents such as Jeremy Strong, author of The Hundred Mile an Hour Dog, and by Francesca Simon, author of Horrid Henry.

A triumphant debut which will have children clutching the loo-seat in apprehension and laughter

Made me feel all squibbly. Now please pass those lummy ear-wax brownies. Brilliantly funny!

Steven Butler is the author of the bestselling Diary of the Dennis the Menace fiction series. As well as writing the hit 2015 World Book Day title, World Menace Day, Steven also hosted the 10 key nationwide events, the Biggest Book Show on Earth, for over 13,000 children and dozens of top-name authors. 
 
Steven Butler is an actor, dancer and trained circus performer. He has appeared in the Wizard of Oz in London's West End and was Henry in Horrid Henry Live and Horrid! 
 
His primary school headmaster was the fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong. Steven's first novel, The Wrong Pong, was shortlisted for the prestigious Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2009.

Another hilarious story from Steven Butler, author of The Wrong Pong, The Wrong Pong: Holiday Hullabaloo and The Wrong Pong: Troll's Treasure. 
 
Rubella, grotsome and moodsie troll big sister, wants to be on the stage. Can Neville help his disgustingly rambunkin troll family get Rubella squeezed into a ballet tutu and tights and into the starring role? 
 
The fourth book in Steven Butler's troll-tastic series will delight and disgust parents and children alike, especially fans of Roald Dahl or Andy Stanton's Mr Gum.

Wrong Pong: Troll's Treasure

Neville, star of the Wrong Pong, continues his adventures in the Underneath when he is faced with a band of troll pirates! As if that isn't rotsome enough, the evil troll Jaundice is back...oh dungle droppings! 
 
The third book in Steven Butler's troll-tastic series will delight and disgust parents and children alike.

The Wrong Pong: Holiday Hullabaloo

Hullo, My Brandyburp! 
 
Neville's Grandma Joan is the grumpiest, most horrible old woman there's ever been. He'd rather eat left-sock stew than see her, and now she's coming to stay for a WHOLE weekend. Oh dungle droppings! 
 
Even worse, a whole family of stinky, swampy trolls will be visiting Neville at the SAME TIME! 
 
Can Neville hide his friends from nosy Grandma Joan or will she get the FRIGHT of her life?

The Wrong Pong

The Wrong Pong by Steven Butler is a laugh-out-loud, stinky story for 5+ girls and boys. 
 
One night, Neville Brisket wakes up from a strange dream - a dream that there is a horrible, stumpy finger stuck up his nose. Then he finds his room in a mess, and his dog in the laundry basket. 
 
Neville's investigations end sposhily, when he is whooshed down the toilet to the land of Under! In a case of mistaken troll-dentity, he finds himself part of a disgusting new family. Will anybody help Neville get back to Over, or will he be stuck eating rat patties and left sock stew forever? 
 
This hilariously delivered tale will delight and disgust parents and children alike. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Horrid Henry. 
 
'Horrid Henry's favourite book!' - Francesca Simon, author of Horrid Henry 
 
'A triumphant debut which will have children clutching the loo-seat in apprehension and laughter' - Amanda Craig, The Times 
 
 
Steven Butler is an actor, dancer and trained circus performer as well as a keen observer of trolls and their disgusting habits. He has starred in Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as Henry in Horrid Henry Live and Horrid! His primary school headmaster was fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong.

Francesca Simon, author of 'Horrid Henry'

One night, Neville Brisket wakes up from a strange dream - a dream that there is a horrible, stumpy finger stuck up his nose. Then he finds his room in a mess, and his dog in the laundry basket. 
 
Neville's investigations end sposhily, when he is whooshed down the toilet to the land of Under! In a case of mistaken troll-dentity, he finds himself part of a disgusting new family. Will anybody help Neville get back to Over, or will he be stuck eating rat patties and left sock stew forever? 
 
This hilariously delivered tale will delight and disgust parents and children alike.

Steven Butler

James Patterson

The circus has come to town! 
 
 I've never been to a real live circus before, but I know it will be the best thing EVER! I've heard all about circus things from Mama Mange and, WOW, does she have some stories! 
 
 I can't wait until opening night. It all looks so AMAZING! Well, apart from those scary man-monsters with green hair and red noses... Hopefully I can steer clear of them... 
 
 With my whole pooch pack alongside me - and, of course, my favorite pet human, RUFF! - what could possibly go wrong...?

Steven Butler

Books by Steven Butler

Series by Steven Butler

Dog Diaries7 Books

The Wrong Pong4 Books

Articles featuring Steven Butler

How to write a laugh-out-loud funny story

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