David Walliams has become a hugely popular author for children, but if you know young readers who have torn through all his stories and need some more inspiration, we have plenty of suggestions!
Emily Drabble
What do children love about Walliams’ books? Above all it’s because they’re funny. There are a LOT of LOLs – together with outrageous comedy villains whom we can recognise straight away, rather like the baddie in a pantomime. On top of that, the hero children feel ordinary and relatable. Illustrations by former Children’s Laureate Quentin Blake and latterly Tony Ross and Adam Stower make these books come alive and, although long, they are a fairly easy and whizzy read.
So how can fans of Walliams sustain their love of reading when they’ve finished his books, or gone to secondary school and grown out of them? Try some of our suggestions of titles we think they will enjoy.
For the obvious suggestion…
For funny and inventive storytelling (plus a large helping of the wonderful Quentin Blake) Roald Dahl is a hugely renowned author.
This modern fairy-tale with a brilliantly inspiring young heroine is one of Roald Dahl’s best loved stories.
For those mainly in it for the laughs…
Sam Copeland is a brilliant comedy writer with zany, energetic books. Some of our favourites are: Alex vs. Axel: The Impossible Quests, Charlie Changes into a Chicken and The Underpants of Chaos.
Something strange happens to Charlie at random times for no apparent reason: he changes into animals. This book cleverly portrays ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, and provides some sound advice throughout. Brilliant and positive.
by Jenny Pearson and Sam Copeland, illustrated by Robin Boyden and Katie Kear
2022 9 to 14 years
Fantasy
Funny
Can Agatha and Lenny find out who is behind the very strange happenings at school before time runs out and they face oblivion?
For similarly silly humour and glorious mishaps, you can’t go wrong with Pooja Poori’s excellent book A Dinosaur Ate My Sister and its sequel A Robot Squashed My Teacher. Alternatively, try Serena Patel’s Anisha, Accidental Detective, Luan Goldie’s Skylar and the K‑Pop Headteacher or Jen Carney’s The Day My Dog Got Famous for some guaranteed laugh out loud moments.
Genius inventor Esha Verma is on the brink of winning the Brain Trophy, when she accidentally sends her sister back to the age of the dinosaurs. Funny and fast-paced STEM adventure.
The story races along at a furious pace, and is packed full of laughs, hilarious antics and imaginative inventions. The short chapters are bursting with black-and-white illustrations, helping readers to visualise the many weird and wonderful gadgets which feature throughout the wacky tale.
Anisha’s ultra-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and the groom, Uncle Tony, has been kidnapped! Can Anisha and her best friend Milo track down the culprit – and Uncle Tony – in time for his wedding?
This funny, engaging, body-swap adventure explores fandom, friendship and empathy via an unmissable dance competition, viral videos and throwing away the school rule book.
Can Ferris train his dog to be an internet sensation in time to save his foster sister’s favourite blanket? A funny, heartfelt story that celebrates family and pets.
And then there’s Pamela Butchart! Anything by this hilarious writer would work; try Petunia Perry and the Curse of the Ugly Pigeon or any of the Izzy and Friends series for quality storytelling combined with a healthy dollop of humour!
Petunia Perry is writing her memoir to fully explain why she’s no longer friends with Cammy – and why, therefore, she and Cammy’s band are unlikely to be the Next Big Thing.
by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Thomas Flintham
2021 5 to 14 years
Funny
Ghost story
Maisie’s been taken to hospital after some extreme dancing… and now there are some very strange things going on! A laugh-out-loud tale of mummies, mystery, and cursed tuna sandwiches.
Lisa Williamson’s Best Friends Forever is a rib-tickling funny read which also explores some very poignant issues about friendship and the transition to secondary school.
This funny and touching coming-of-age story reflects the experiences of many youngsters making the transition to secondary school or experiencing changes in the family.
For older children who need to move on from David Walliams…
Many children race through David Walliams when they’re at primary school but then find themselves bereft at secondary when the ‘what to read after’ question becomes truly pertinent.
First of all, any and all books by the late, great Louise Rennison would be a good start. Try Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging for starters – it’s not as grown-up as its name suggests and would be perfect for an 11-year-old.
Nathanael Lessore’s King of Nothing is ridiculously funny and captures contemporary teenage humour brilliantly. While you’re at it, Holly Smales’ Geek Girl is just great and has the bonus appeal of being a well know TV series which might be an extra incentive for more reluctant readers.
Northern Soul by Phil Earle contains a wonderful balance of humorous, cringeworthy and meaningful moments as its 14-year-old, football-obsessed protagonist explores his feelings for a new crush.
Welcome to the world of Georgia Nicolson – an angst-ridden teenage girl who keeps a diary to record the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences she faces every day
Marv is desperate to make an impression on the girl of his dreams but with no idea quite how to do it he takes advice from a long-dead soul singer. Cue hilarious consequences and some truly awful song lyrics.
For a bit of fantasy and adventure…
Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series is a classic in its genre and boasts a perfect balance of humour and epic fantasy – a must read for fans of the film. Cressida’s newer series The Wizards of Once is also fantastic!
Another book which transports its readers into a magical world of mythical beasts and adventure is Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures; a beautifully written, fast-paced thriller which will have you hooked from the outset!
Wish is a girl from a warrior tribe and Xar is a boy from a wizard tribe, living in a world loosely based on Ancient Britain at the beginning of the Iron Age, but where magic is real. A fabulously imaginative, funny and unpredictable adventure.
by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic
2023 9 to 14 years
Adventure
Fantasy
Myths and legends
Katherine Rundell has created an incredibly real-feeling magical world and story to rival classics like Narnia, with writing that sweeps you up and main characters who are simultaneously humanly flawed yet inherently pure and good.
Other fantasy and adventure titles which Walliams fans might enjoy include Transcendent by Patrick Gallagher, Relic Hamilton by Joseph Coelho and Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna.
Genius twins Kira and Jacob must pass a series of trials to join a top-secret organisation known as Transcendent. If chosen, they will be sent to outer space on a mission to save the world.
When history obsessed 12-year-old Relic Hamilton accidentally unleashes an evil genie, he is whisked away on a time travelling, action-filled adventure to hunt it down alongside a secret society of tech-savvy genie hunters.
11-year-old Vanya is catapulted into a world of magic and monsters when she joins the enchanted school of Auramere. There, she must battle against the forces of the Old Ones and a dark family secret..
We hope these suggestions will inspire readers after exploring Walliams’ books. If you want more fun from David, why not check out this brilliant pack of fun activities, which you can download here (PDF).
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