I am trying to find books that would interest my 11-year-old son: he's really enjoyed books with cartoon-like elements, both the visual aspect and the humour (eg Andy Stanton's work and the Wimpy Kid series have been big hits). He's not particularly keen on non-humorous spies or fantasy, which seem to make up the bulk of work available for his age range. To satisfy his delight in visuals I've looked at graphic novels, but the ones I've come across are aimed firmly in the teenage market. Can you help? Carla
 

Funny books and illustrations aren't always found in the same place but both are very popular right now.

Even if not in a cartoon-style or format, illustrations to funny books add greatly to the realisation of the humour: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events had enough illustrations by Brett Helquist to give a vivid look to the deeply ironic and hugely popular stories and, as your son has found, David Tazzyman's illustrations of Lemonic Bibber and the characters who live there have created a powerful visual sense of Andy Stanton's hugely original creation.

To move from these to longer but still humorous books which are also highly illustrated, I'd first assume that he's read Roald Dahl's classic funny novels including The Witches, Matilda and The BFG, all richly and wittily illustrated by Quentin Blake.

After that I'd suggest Philip Pullman's Spring-Heeled Jack, illustrated by David Mostyn or Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ illustrated by Caroline Holden.

Moving into graphic novels, while there are many which are for the teenage market, there are some for younger readers most notably Robin Etherington's Monkey Nuts: The Diamond Egg of Wonders, illustrated by Lawrence Etherington or Dave Shelton's Good Dog, Bad Dog. Both showcase a single strip cartoon taken from the DFC comic which was launched in 2008 and ran for 43 issues.

While not humorous the power and brilliance of the illustrations in John Dunning's gothic fantasy Salem Browne: All Along the Watchtowers will also captivate. For illustrations alone Shaun Tan's Arrival is a visual reading treat and a powerful emotional experience covering every emotion possible as it tells many stories of the experiences of new arrivals

But, before you search any further, although you don't mention them, I'm assuming your son is familiar with all the Tintin and Asterix books which provided an almost never-ending source of funny, illustrated reading for all from 8 upwards.