Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of David Walliams.
David Walliams is one of the biggest selling children’s authors since he first started writing in 2008, selling over 35 million worldwide. His work has been translated into 53 languages. His work has been providing laughter and enjoyment to kids around the world over the past two decades. Walliams books are funny, silly, sweet, crazy, and a roller-coaster ride for kids to enjoy! We select books that we know your children will fall in love with, from treasured classics to the latest must-have series.
David Walliams offers books for ages 7-9 and 9-14, and these kids fiction books are a great way to build up a collection and can be read repeatedly. David Walliams and his books continue to take the children’s literary world by storm. So, it’s no surprise that his novels have been at the number one spot for weeks on end. Some have even won the prize for National Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year.
What books has David Walliams written?
David Walliams has published over thirty novels, picture books, and books of short stories for children. His books have regularly been adapted for television, often shown in the prestigious Christmas period. Walliams has sometimes taken acting roles in the films. The novels have also been made into plays, musicals, and even a ride at Alton Towers.
Walliams published his first outrageously popular book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. It tells a tale of a 12-year-old football player who cross-dresses and makes shameless jokes. It’s been compared to the works of Roald Dahl, and it’s no coincidence that it was illustrated by Dahl’s long-time collaborator Quentin Blake. Blake was the inaugural Children’s Laureate and is a beloved artist across the generations. The book became a number one bestseller in Britain, cementing Walliams’s transition from a sketch show comedian to a bestselling writer.
Blake returned for Walliams’s next book, Mr Stink (2009). It also got to number one, making Walliams the fastest growing children’s author in the UK. Although this was his last book with Blake, he has published between one and three books a year ever since. They have all been with Tony Ross, the fantastic illustrator of The Little Princess and Horrid Henry.
His third book was Billionaire Boy (2010), a hilarious, touching and marvellous story about the billion reasons for Joe to be happy. Joe owns a bowling alley, a cinema and even has a butler. The only thing he's missing is a friend.
Next up was the iconic Gangsta Granny (2011), where wannabe plumber Ben finds out his boring granny was once an international jewel thief. Now, she’s planning to steal the crown jewels, and she needs Ben to help her with her life-long plan.
His other hilarious novels include Ratburger, Awful Auntie, Grandpa’s Great Escape and The Midnight Gang. His most recent book, Megamonster, was released in 2021.
If short stories are your bag, check out The World’s Worst Children volumes 1 to 3, The World’s Worst Parents and The World’s Worst Teachers. These scabrous stories are hilarious from start to finish. Just don’t let your parents read them!
For younger readers, he also offers a great range of picture books.
What do people think about his books?
“A pleasure to read. A beguilingly funny, original and thought-provoking tale... hilarious” - Amanda Craig, The Times
“Dahl finally has a worthy successor” - The Telegraph
“I absolutely love David Walliams’s books. In a few more years, they will become classics.” - Sue Townsend, author of Adrian Mole
“A triumphant mix of wit and warmth” - Telegraph Books of the Year
“a new Roald Dahl” - The Times
“Another triumph for David Walliams. His books are a breath of wonderful fresh air” - The Sun
Who is David Walliams?
David Williams was born in Wimbledon, London, in 1971 and grew up in Surrey. He took the stage name “Walliams” when he joined Equity. He worked as a TV writer and actor throughout the 90s, often with his longstanding comedy partner Matt Lucas.
He first became widely known for Little Britain, which began on BBC Radio 4 in 2000 and ran for two series. It became a national phenomenon when it transferred to television in 2003. Walliams and Lucas made four series of the programme over five years. The book Inside Little Britain (2006) follows Walliams and Lucas on tour for a live theatre version of the programme. The pair followed up this success with a series of Come Fly With Me in 2010 but haven’t worked together regularly since.
Walliams has appeared in many other comedies and dramas over the years. Starring roles include Big School (2013-4), Partners in Crime (2015), Walliams & Friend (2015-16) and the After Ever After TV movies (2019, 20). He’s also appeared in Doctor Who, Stardust, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Revolting Rhymes, and Missing Link, among others.
David Walliams released his autobiography, Camp David, in 2012, which coincided with his ascension to the judges’ table on Britain’s Got Talent. The book has been described as a “raw” and “honest” account of his battles with depression and his journey to becoming a successful comedian. In 2017 he was appointed OBE for services to charity and the arts.
What should I read next?
If you’re looking for more funny business, definitely check out Roald Dahl. He’s been making children laugh throughout the generations, with his classic tales such as The BFG, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We have a comprehensive 16 book collection that contains all of his best-loved children’s novels.
If you need more Tony Ross in your life, have a go at the Horrid Henry series. This international phenomenon is available in great boxed sets of the original books and
