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Quick answer: If your child loves Pamela Butchart, read Tom Gates, Mr Gum, Mr Stink and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. All are very funny illustrated books for children aged six to ten, full of daft ideas and chaotic school life.
Pamela Butchart is a Scottish children's author known for Baby Aliens Got My Teacher!, The Spy Who Loved School Dinners and the Wigglesbottom Primary series. Her stories are told by an anxious, imaginative child who is sure that something terrible is happening at school. The books below offer similar giggles, silly worlds and imaginative narrators.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Aliens Got My Teacher! | Pamela Butchart | Ages 6-9 | the Butchart start |
| The Spy Who Loved School Dinners | Pamela Butchart | Ages 6-9 | school spy |
| The Brilliant World of Tom Gates | Liz Pichon | Ages 7-11 | doodled diary |
| You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! | Andy Stanton | Ages 7-11 | absurd comedy |
| Mr Stink | David Walliams | Ages 8-12 | unlikely friendship |
| The World's Worst Children | David Walliams | Ages 6-10 | funny short stories |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Jeff Kinney | Ages 8-12 | comic diary |
| The Adventures of Captain Underpants | Dav Pilkey | Ages 7-10 | silly superhero |
| Dog Man | Dav Pilkey | Ages 6-10 | graphic novel |
| The Bad Guys | Aaron Blabey | Ages 6-10 | villains turned good |
| Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid | Megan McDonald | Ages 6-9 | quirky younger brother |
| Judy Moody Was in a Mood | Megan McDonald | Ages 6-9 | moody and funny |
| Barry Loser: I Am Not a Loser | Jim Smith | Ages 7-11 | doodle comedy |
| Dory Fantasmagory | Abby Hanlon | Ages 5-8 | imagination |
| The Bolds | Julian Clary | Ages 7-11 | hyenas in London |
1. Baby Aliens Got My Teacher! by Pamela Butchart
A girl is sure her teacher has been replaced by an alien. Silly and fast.
Best for: the Butchart start.
2. The Spy Who Loved School Dinners by Pamela Butchart
A girl investigates the mystery of the school dinners. Funny and quick.
Best for: school spy.
3. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates tells his school-life stories with doodles. Hugely popular.
Best for: doodled diary.
4. You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! by Andy Stanton
A grumpy man and a dog in a strange town. Wild, silly and original.
Best for: absurd comedy.
5. Mr Stink by David Walliams
A girl befriends a smelly tramp. Warm, funny and sweet.
Best for: unlikely friendship.
6. The World's Worst Children by David Walliams
Short, silly tales of terrible kids. Quick and illustrated.
Best for: funny short stories.
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley records his awkward middle-school adventures. A giant of reluctant-reader fiction.
Best for: comic diary.
8. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Two pranksters hypnotise their principal into a superhero. Pure silliness.
Best for: silly superhero.
9. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Half dog, half police officer, Dog Man fights crime. Silly and quick.
Best for: graphic novel.
10. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
A wolf, snake, shark and piranha try to be heroes. Hilarious and fast.
Best for: villains turned good.
11. Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald
Stink worries he is shrinking. Funny and quick.
Best for: quirky younger brother.
12. Judy Moody Was in a Mood by Megan McDonald
Judy has a bad first day of school and a lot of attitude. Relatable.
Best for: moody and funny.
13. Barry Loser: I Am Not a Loser by Jim Smith
A boy tells his silly life story with cartoons. Quick and daft.
Best for: doodle comedy.
14. Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
Dory invents monsters to get attention. Lively and silly.
Best for: imagination.
15. The Bolds by Julian Clary
A family of hyenas lives as humans in a London suburb. Absurd and kind.
Best for: hyenas in London.
How to Choose
For more Butchart start with Baby Aliens Got My Teacher! For doodle-diaries choose Tom Gates or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. For absurd humour pick Mr Gum or The Bolds. For graphic novels try Dog Man and The Bad Guys. For school comedy read Judy Moody or Stink. Most of these are short and well illustrated, so they suit children who are new to reading. Butchart's stories often feature a group of friends who share secrets and theories, and that child's-eye view is part of why her books have so many fans. Libraries often have the whole run. Reading together is a good way to share these books, with funny voices for the characters. Doodle-style diaries and graphic novels are good next steps for children who enjoy Butchart's chatty style. Libraries usually have a children's section with several of these series together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pamela Butchart?
A Scottish author of funny children's books.
What is her best-known book?
Baby Aliens Got My Teacher!
What age are her books for?
Roughly ages 6 to 9.
Are they illustrated?
Yes, with funny drawings.
Is she like Tom Gates?
Both are funny and illustrated, but Butchart writes in a more story-led way.
Are they good for reluctant readers?
Yes, short chapters and pictures help.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, for several titles.
What should I read next?
Try Tom Gates or Mr Gum.
Is Pamela Butchart suitable for early readers?
Yes. The short chapters and big illustrations suit children moving up from picture books.
Who illustrates her books?
Thomas Flintham illustrates many of her titles.