David Walliams’ wit and wonder
Before turning his hand to children’s fiction, British born David Walliams was best known for co-creating hit sketch comedy series, ‘Little Britain’, with Matt Lucas. He’s a judge on ‘Britain's Got Talent’ and has hosted award ceremonies. Along with televised performances and sponsored challenges for Comic Relief, Walliams’ quickly became a favourite TV personality.
In 2008, David Walliams released his debut children’s fiction book,
The Boy in the Dress. Illustrated by national treasure, Quentin Blake, this story about a football fanatic dress-wearing boy quickly shot to critical acclaim. Walliams has gone on to write 35 more books and counting, including his popular ‘World’s Worst’ series, and his range of picture books. Walliams’ books are witty and wholesome, championing the celebration of difference, the value of community, and the importance of dreaming big.
‘The World’s Worst…’ short story collections
Starting with
The World’s Worst Children, Walliams introduces readers to the most despicable, gross, and awful people across the globe! Along with a trilogy of terrible children, Walliams’ has written short story collections about
The World’s Worst Teachers and
The World’s Worst Parents. His latest in the series provides all the shocking details about
The World’s Worst Pets - 10 tales of appalling pets from a supersonic tortoise to a goldfish full of evil. This series is perfect for any child aged 8 and up, especially for more reluctant readers, who benefit from short tales full of humour and whimsy.
From Children’s Book of the Year to a sell-out stage musical
The novels
Awful Auntie,
Demon Dentist, and
Ratburger have each won the National Book Awards’ Children’s Book of the Year. In 2018, the British Book Awards’ Children’s Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to The Ice Monster. As well as acclaimed awards and nominations, David Walliams’ books have also had hit television adaptations.
Gangsta Granny,
Grandpa’s Great Escape,
Mr Stink, and
The Boy in the Dress all have TV film adaptations, which are now available on DVD. The Boy in the Dress has also been adapted into a stage musical, first performanced at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2019, and due for a transfer to London’s theatre scene.
Picture books and Camp David
Along with his record-breaking children’s novels, David Walliams has also created a range of picture books for younger children, ideal for under 5s. The first of Walliams’ picture books is
The Slightly Annoying Elephant, whose unforgettable animal antics will cause giggles on every read. Walliams also wrote a special picture book in aid of Comic Relief,
The Queen’s Oran-gutan. Created to be read-aloud, his picture books are packed with hilarious repetition, wacky tales, and loveable creatures.
If you’re interested in David Walliams himself, his rise to fame, hilarious and shockingly personal details of his life, then check out in his autobiography,
Camp David. Published in 2012, this tell-all up to then is a page-turner for all fans of this multi-talented man.
“
Spending so much time alone had turned Chloe's imagination into a deep dark forest. It was a magical place to escape to, and so much more thrilling than real life."
― David Walliams,
The Billionaire Boy
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