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Quick answer: If your child loves David Walliams, try Roald Dahl's Matilda and The BFG, then Mr Gum, The Bolds, Captain Underpants and The Bad Guys. All are very funny, slightly rude illustrated stories for children aged seven to twelve.
David Walliams is an English comedian and children's author whose books, such as The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and The World's Worst Children, mix silly humour, heart and Quentin Blake-style illustrations by Tony Ross. The books below offer similar laugh-out-loud reads.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boy in the Dress | David Walliams | Ages 8-12 | Walliams's debut |
| Gangsta Granny | David Walliams | Ages 8-12 | jewel thief grandmother |
| Mr Stink | David Walliams | Ages 8-12 | unlikely friendship |
| The World's Worst Children | David Walliams | Ages 6-10 | funny short stories |
| Matilda | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | clever child |
| The BFG | Roald Dahl | 7-11 | readers who like invented words |
| The Witches | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | wicked witches |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | candy fantasy |
| George's Marvellous Medicine | Roald Dahl | 7-10 | readers who like chaos |
| The Twits | Roald Dahl | 6-10 | reluctant readers |
| Fantastic Mr Fox | Roald Dahl | All ages | readers who want a quick read |
| The Bolds | Julian Clary | Ages 7-11 | hyenas in London |
| The Adventures of Captain Underpants | Dav Pilkey | Ages 7-10 | silly superhero |
| The Bad Guys | Aaron Blabey | Ages 6-10 | villains turned good |
| The Brilliant World of Tom Gates | Liz Pichon | Ages 7-11 | doodled diary |
1. The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
A boy discovers a love of fashion and wears a dress to school. Funny and kind.
Best for: Walliams's debut.
2. Gangsta Granny by David Walliams
A boy discovers his grandmother's secret as a master thief. Funny and heartfelt.
Best for: jewel thief grandmother.
3. Mr Stink by David Walliams
A girl befriends a smelly tramp. Warm, funny and sweet.
Best for: unlikely friendship.
4. The World's Worst Children by David Walliams
Short, silly tales of terrible kids. Quick and illustrated.
Best for: funny short stories.
5. Matilda by Roald Dahl
A brilliant girl uses her wits against awful adults. Funny, dark and beloved.
Best for: clever child.
6. The BFG by Roald Dahl
Sophie befriends a Big Friendly Giant who blows dreams into children's rooms. Funny and warm.
Best for: readers who like invented words.
7. The Witches by Roald Dahl
A boy is turned into a mouse by witches. Funny and spooky.
Best for: wicked witches.
8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie wins a tour of Willy Wonka's factory. Silly, dark and delicious.
Best for: candy fantasy.
9. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
George mixes a potion for his grumpy grandma. Silly and quick.
Best for: readers who like chaos.
10. The Twits by Roald Dahl
Two disgusting people get their comeuppance. Short, gross and funny.
Best for: reluctant readers.
11. Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl
Mr. Fox outwits three farmers to feed his family. Short and clever.
Best for: readers who want a quick read.
12. The Bolds by Julian Clary
A family of hyenas lives as humans in a London suburb. Absurd and kind.
Best for: hyenas in London.
13. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Two pranksters hypnotise their principal into a superhero. Pure silliness.
Best for: silly superhero.
14. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
A wolf, snake, shark and piranha try to be heroes. Hilarious and fast.
Best for: villains turned good.
15. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates tells his school-life stories with doodles. Hugely popular.
Best for: doodled diary.
How to Choose
For more Walliams begin with The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny or Mr Stink. For classic humour choose Roald Dahl. For silly stories pick The Bolds, The Bad Guys or Captain Underpants. For diaries read Tom Gates. Walliams's books are short and funny, so these picks suit readers aged seven to twelve. Walliams's books have been adapted into TV films and stage shows, and his audiobooks are read by the author. The humour is silly and sometimes rude, so parents may want to preview.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Walliams?
An English comedian and best-selling children's author.
Where should I start?
With The Boy in the Dress or Gangsta Granny.
Who illustrates his books?
Tony Ross illustrates most of them.
What age are they for?
Roughly ages 7 to 12.
Are they like Roald Dahl?
They share the mischief, though Walliams's tone is more modern.
Are there TV versions?
Yes, several BBC adaptations.
Does he narrate the audiobooks?
Yes, for many.
What should we read next?
Try Matilda or The Bolds.
Which book here is best for funny short stories?
Try The World's Worst Children by David Walliams, which suits readers looking for funny short stories.
Which book here is best for wicked witches?
Try The Witches by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for wicked witches.
Which book here is best for reluctant readers?
Try The Twits by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for reluctant readers.
Which book here is best for silly superhero?
Try The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey, which suits readers looking for silly superhero.
Which book here is best for jewel thief grandmother?
Try Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, which suits readers looking for jewel thief grandmother.
Which book here is best for clever child?
Try Matilda by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for clever child.