Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- This book shows that you can do whatever you want while explaining the meaning of being different, all while being side-splittingly funny.
- A hilarious and intriguing story with wholesome characters that will have you rooting for them in every chapter.
The Boy in the Dress is a heartwarming tale that follows the adventures of Dennis, a 12-year-old boy who loves football and fashion. Tired of conforming to social expectations, Dennis secretly enjoys wearing dresses, which leads to a series of comical events. This book is a delightful exploration of acceptance, individuality, and the power of self-expression. It's an ideal choice to start with in Walliams' series as it introduces his signature blend of humour, empathy, and memorable characters, making it a captivating read for both young and adult audiences alike.
Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- It is a book that you’ll want to read over and over again due to its heartwarming moments and belly-bursting laughs.
- A great book for teaching your little ones how to be kind, respectful and helpful.
Mr Stink is a charming and uplifting story that centres around Chloe, a young girl who befriends a homeless man named Mr Stink. Chloe invites him to live in her family's garden shed, and together, they embark on a series of adventures that explore themes of kindness, friendship, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. This touching and humorous tale is a great choice to read next in Walliams' series because it continues to showcase his talent for creating lovable characters alongside addressing essential life lessons in an engaging and accessible way. It’s a must-read for all ages.
Reading Age: 12+
Why We Love It:
- It's a book full of great comedy with enough laughs to give you hiccups.
- Woven into the storyline is an endearing tale of friendship, making it a great read for anyone.
Billionaire Boy follows the story of Joe Spud, the richest boy in the country, thanks to his father's invention of a popular toilet paper. Despite the wealth, Joe's life lacks true friends and happiness. In a quest to find genuine friendship, he leaves his lavish lifestyle and joins a local school. This humorous tale explores the importance of genuine connections, regardless of wealth. It's an excellent choice for your next read in Walliams' series, offering life lessons that resonate with young readers while providing a dose of empathy and perspective.
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- This book has an original storyline that will have you laughing and crying simultaneously.
- A great story about teaching kids to treasure their loved ones.
Gangsta Granny is a delightful and heartwarming story about a young boy named Ben and his unconventional grandmother. Ben initially thinks his granny is just an ordinary, boring old lady. However, he soon discovers her thrilling secret: she's a former jewel thief! Together, they embark on a series of daring heists that add excitement and adventure to their lives. What makes this one of the best David Walliams books is the exploration of the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It also delivers a powerful message about the importance of understanding and appreciating your loved ones.
Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- Ratburger is a brilliantly entertaining and not to mention empowering story.
- Plenty of action, danger and stomach-churning bogey-eating involved, with laughter all the way through.
A darkly comedic and adventurous tale, Ratburger centres around a young girl named Zoe, who discovers that her pet rat is destined to become the main ingredient in a sinister burger recipe concocted by a wicked stepmother and her fast-food empire. With the help of her eccentric friend Armitage, Zoe embarks on a daring mission to save her beloved pet. With a combination of humour, suspense, and a strong underdog spirit, it’s an engaging and entertaining story that addresses friendship and perseverance themes and is a must in Walliams’ library.
Reading Age: 9-14yrs old
Why We Love It:
- A thrilling book with plenty of jaw-dropping moments.
- Perfect for those who love a scary tale with brilliant descriptions and drawings.
So few children like the dentist, so imagine having a demon one! Demon Dentist is a spine-tingling story that follows the misadventures of young Alfie, who suspects there's something seriously wrong with his new dentist. As he unravels the mystery, he discovers a malevolent force behind the town's dental woes. This gripping tale has all the Walliams' trademark humour with a touch of horror, creating a captivating and unpredictable narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It’s one of his more unique reads, and of course, there’s a moral in the story too; take care of your teeth, of course!
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- Another Walliams read full of emotions and thrills, keeping you gripped with every turn.
- A rollercoaster of twists and turns, leaving you in fits of laughter.
This darkly comedic adventure follows the plucky Stella Saxby, who is left in the care of her truly awful aunt after a tragic accident. As she uncovers the sinister secrets of her aunt's grand estate, she teams up with a friendly ghost named Soot to reclaim her rightful inheritance and seek justice. There’s a great range of mystery and humour in The Awful Auntie, with heartwarming themes of resilience and friendship. It's an enchanting and suspenseful tale that captivates readers of all ages with its memorable characters and unexpected twists.
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- This book is full of enthusiasm and adventure, with laughter on every page.
- Brilliantly batty and oozing madness, and that’s just the Grandpa!
Grandpa’s Great Escape tells the heartwarming and adventurous tale of Jack and his beloved Grandpa, who is living with Alzheimer's disease. When Grandpa is mistakenly sent to an old-age home called Twilight Towers, Jack and his Grandpa hatch a daring plan to break out and embark on a series of escapades together. It’s an incredibly touching read that showcases Walliams’ knack for developing relationships and bonds within his stories. Bonds that we can all relate to.
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- It is such a hilarious and exciting book and oozes adventure, which is perfect for those of you with big imaginations.
- It teaches some valuable lessons about friendship and trust while still being fun and light-hearted.
The Midnight Gang is an enchanting tale that whisks readers away to the world of St. Crook's Hospital. There a group of young patients embark on nightly adventures. Led by the charismatic Tom, they explore their dreams and desires, all while facing challenges and touching moments. The Midnight Gang combines humour, empathy, and a sense of wonder and celebrates the power of friendship and imagination. It’s a great way to inspire young readers to dream big and cherish the magic in everyday life.
Blob
Reading Age: 9-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- A book full of excitement and drama.
- Lots of hilarious moments of chaos all compacted into this short novel, making it the perfect read for young kids.
This is the story of how a boy called Bob meets a blobfish fish called Blob. This funny and heartwarming story of a very unusual friendship is full of great moments from start to finish, with some very strange animals along the way that we know you’ll fall in love with. It’s light-hearted yet exciting and has all the comedy and witty writing we know and love from Walliams.
Reading Age: 7-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- Amazingly detailed characters throughout, making the book even harder to put down.
- Hilarious twists and turns and loveable stories of Father-Son relationships.
Bad Dad tells the story of Frank, a loving father who turns to a life of crime to save his son. When Frank's dream of becoming a Formula One driver is shattered, he joins forces with his son to carry out daring heists. This book is an exciting choice because it explores the lengths a parent will go to for their child. It’s a relatable story for parents especially, and they’ll enjoy this one just as much as the child sitting next to them.
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- This book has adventure, action and is thrilling!
- With brilliantly creative language that is exciting and easy to read, this book is perfect for kids starting to read chapter books.
The Ice Monster whisks readers away on a time-travelling adventure with young Elsie as she forms an extraordinary bond with a woolly mammoth named Woolly. Together, they journey across historical epochs, encountering fascinating characters and attempting to rescue Woolly's family from an infamous billionaire. The Ice Monster introduces young readers to exciting historical periods while also imparting lessons about empathy, determination, and the magic of imagination in an entertaining and heartwarming way, making it one of the best David Walliams books to read.
Fing
Reading Age: 7+
Why We Love It:
- Filled with great humour and an exciting plot, the perfect book you won’t want to put down.
- A storyline with action-packed adventures and a touch of chaos.
Fing is a delightful and whimsical story about a young girl named Myrtle, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a strange creature called a "Fing." These mischievous beings love to cause chaos and mess, and Myrtle must navigate the challenges they create. There are plenty of life lessons in this one, and it’s a great book to inspire children of all ages.
Reading Age: 7-10yrs old
Why We Love It:
- Funny and mysterious with a super plot line.
- There are some beautiful lessons about friendship, loyalty and bravery, with an enjoyable sprinkling of real history.
The Beast of Buckingham Palace is an enthralling adventure that transports readers to a dystopian London plagued by a mysterious curse. It follows the journey of Prince Alfred and his intrepid friends as they seek to uncover the secrets of the royal palace and confront the terrifying creature lurking within. This gripping tale masterfully blends history, fantasy, and suspense, making it a great read and rather unique book in the Walliams collection.
Reading Age: 7+
Why We Love It:
- It’s a mystery book with loads of twists and a perfect book to read if you like magical stories.
- Not just a book for kids, with its great humour, this book will take you back to your childhood and have you giggling with every page.
With a title like Slime, it’s perhaps no surprise to hear that it’s a hilarious and slightly revolting story that follows the misadventures of Ned, a boy who becomes mysteriously gifted with the ability to produce slime. As he navigates the challenges of school and family life, his newfound power leads to comical chaos and unexpected consequences. It’s a book that explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the importance of staying true to yourself, as well as being a laugh-out-loud journey that will entertain and inspire young readers to embrace their uniqueness.
Code Name Bananas
Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- A brilliant and entertaining way to learn a thing or two about World War II.
- More hilarious characters with amazing drawings to boost your imagination.
Code Name Bananas is one of the more action-packed books by Walliams. Set during World War II, this adventure features a young boy named Eric and his heroic monkey companion, Hanuman. Together, they embark on a daring mission to stop an evil plot by the enemy. This book is a must-read in Walliams' series, with history, humour, and thrilling escapades; this book will keep readers of all ages entertained.
Reading Age: 7-11yrs old
Why We Love It:
- A thrill-seeking, action-packed, hilarious book.
- Another excellent example of the weirdest characters caught in bizarre situations, which are curiously entertaining.
David Walliams’ Megamonster is an exciting and imaginative tale set in a dystopian world where humongous creatures called Megamonsters threaten humanity. The story follows young Vincent, who forms an unlikely friendship with an orphaned Megamonster named Gorgonzola. Together, they navigate a world filled with danger and discovery. It’s imaginative, funny, and is a great tale of the importance of acceptance. It takes all sorts of things to make a world, including Gorgonzola!
Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- The perfect sequel to Gangsta Granny, with the same laugh-out-loud humour and even better adventures.
- We love revisiting some of our favourite Walliams characters, and it made us feel nostalgic reading the second instalment of Gangsta Granny.
This book is the sequel to the best-selling story from David Walliams about Ben and his beloved granny. Only the memory of their last extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on until world-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night, and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat. This wonderfully entertaining book includes laugh-out-loud adventures which will have you on the edge of your seat. If you’re a fan of the original Gangsta Granny, then you’re going to love this instalment just as much.
Reading Age: 8-12yrs old
Why We Love It:
- We loved the new style of drawings in this book, which really added to the fun and witty storyline.
- Another great read for learning something new whilst being thoroughly entertained.
Space Boy is full of non-stop fun with plenty of action. It involves a courageous heroine, a funny furry friend at her side, and an alien with a big secret. What’s not to love?
The villains really are as villainous as they get, and a military Major is crippled by the weight of his medals and his strong chin. It’s a great book and is complemented with a host of funny illustrations that Walliams’ work is known for. Plus, a child gets to learn all about space in the process.,
Reading Age: 7+
Why We Love It:
- All the action you could ask for from the get-go.
- Perfect for young readers, either to be read out loud but prepare for even more silliness.
Robo-Dog is a whole heap of fun about a young boy named Ken who longs for a dog but instead ends up with a mechanical canine companion. As Ken and his robotic dog, Rolo, navigate life's challenges, they discover the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. There’s a great blend of laughter, adventure, and acceptance within Walliams' storytelling brilliance, delivering it in an entertaining and touching narrative that resonates with readers of all ages.
Reading Age: 8-12
Why We Love It:
- The dynamic duo of Dilly and Watson is both entertaining and relatable for kids.
- It's an engaging mytery with clever twists making solving the mystery fun and exciting for young readers.
Super Sleuth is the first ever murder mystery from David Walliams. It's set aboard a lavish transatlantic cruise in the 1920s, where the world's top detective is mysteriously murdered. Enter Dilly, a determined young amateur sleuth, and her clever dog Watson, who team up to a solve the case. As they sail from New York to London, Dilly and Watson find themselves in the perfect setting - and possibly more than one crime! Super Sleuth is a great read for kids because it blends thrilling mystery with humour and adventure. The historical setting, clever twists, and the lovable duo make it fun, encouraging young readers to think critically while enjoying an entertaining story. The fast-paced plot and quirky characters will keep children hooked throughout.
Happy Reading!
Now you’ve not only got a list of great David Walliams books to read and what order to read them in, you might as well get cracking. Walliams’ books are full of laughter and make for some great lighthearted reads while also pulling on a few heartstrings, so we are sure that you won’t want to put any of them down.
If you’re looking for more book recommendations, then this post on the best books to teach kids to read has some great choices for you.
