Families who loved A Funny Thing Happened After School... by Davide Cali often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is facing a consequence for a forgotten responsibility or needs a playful outlet for their oversized imagination. While the story centers on two friends explaining away a missing homework assignment, it focuses less on the 'lie' and more on the collaborative joy of storytelling. It is an ideal choice for children who love to stretch the truth into grand adventures. Henry and Ali weave an increasingly absurd outer space saga involving aliens and solar system mishaps to explain their empty folders to their teacher. This playful chapter book celebrates the power of creative thinking and the bond of a shared secret. It is perfectly pitched for early elementary readers who are beginning to navigate the balance between school expectations and their own wild inner worlds.
