David Walliams is a favorite among young readers for his big laughs, eccentric characters, and fast-moving stories. Books such as Gangsta Granny and Mr Stink mix mischief, heart, and larger-than-life adventures in a way that keeps children turning the pages.
If you enjoy David Walliams, these authors are well worth exploring next:
If David Walliams appeals to you for his outrageous humor and playful storytelling, Roald Dahl is an obvious next pick. His books are packed with unforgettable characters, imaginative twists, and adventures that gleefully stretch reality.
Dahl also has a wonderful talent for blending dark comedy with childlike wonder. A great place to start is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a wildly inventive story about a boy whose golden ticket leads him into a magical—and slightly strange—world of chocolate.
Andy Stanton writes with a delightfully chaotic sense of humor that will feel instantly familiar to Walliams fans. His stories are energetic, absurd, and full of comic surprises, with plenty of wordplay along the way.
A brilliant example is You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!, a fast, funny tale about a thoroughly unpleasant man whose grumpiness causes all kinds of ridiculous trouble.
Francesca Simon is a great choice for readers who enjoy naughty characters and everyday chaos. Her stories focus on comic misbehavior, family tensions, and the sort of trouble children instantly recognize.
The best-known place to begin is with Horrid Henry, which introduces a hilariously badly behaved boy whose schemes rarely go to plan.
Jeff Kinney brings a sharp, easygoing humor to the awkward moments of growing up. His books are filled with school disasters, family frustrations, and the kind of everyday embarrassments that make readers laugh because they feel so familiar.
Start with Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the bestselling story of Greg Heffley and his very relatable middle-school problems.
Lincoln Peirce writes about mischievous, high-energy kids who always seem to be one step away from trouble. His style is simple, funny, and boosted by lively illustrations that make the jokes land even more effectively.
Try Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, which follows a confident, trouble-prone kid trying to survive school with plenty of attitude and humor.
Dav Pilkey specializes in wild, energetic comedy, complete with silly illustrations and nonstop action. Like Walliams, he knows exactly how to tap into children's sense of fun while still weaving in friendship, courage, and heart.
His hugely popular Captain Underpants series follows two prank-loving friends who accidentally transform their school principal into a thoroughly ridiculous superhero.
Liz Pichon's books combine doodles, diary-style writing, and everyday school-life comedy in a warm, approachable way. The Tom Gates series is full of creative distractions, family chaos, and funny observations about ordinary life.
Readers who enjoy Walliams for his quirky humor and child-centered storytelling will find plenty to like here.
Cressida Cowell writes stories that balance adventure, humor, and genuine emotion. Her How to Train Your Dragon books are packed with memorable characters, exciting journeys, and illustrations that add even more charm.
Like Walliams, Cowell blends comedy with themes of bravery, friendship, and growing up, making her books especially rewarding for young readers.
Terry Pratchett is celebrated for his imaginative worlds, witty satire, and clever use of language. His children's novel The Wee Free Men offers a terrific mix of fantasy, humor, and adventure through the story of the resourceful Tiffany Aching.
If you like Walliams for his comedy and larger-than-life characters, Pratchett's inventive storytelling is likely to be a very good fit.
Eva Ibbotson is known for warm, imaginative stories filled with magic, humor, and a strong sense of wonder. Her writing has a gentle charm that makes even the strangest adventures feel inviting.
In The Secret of Platform 13, readers discover a magical world hidden beneath King's Cross station, complete with memorable characters and touching themes of courage and belonging. Like Walliams, Ibbotson combines playful storytelling with real heart.
Andy Griffiths writes gleefully ridiculous stories that lean all the way into absurdity. His books are light, playful, and bursting with the kind of silly ideas that children love.
If Walliams' humor makes you laugh, The 13-Storey Treehouse is a great next read. It follows two friends living in an outrageously over-the-top treehouse full of bizarre inventions and comic disasters.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce often mixes warmth and wit with unusual situations, creating stories that are funny while still feeling emotionally grounded. His books frequently explore family, friendship, and identity without losing their playful energy.
A strong pick is Millions, a clever and entertaining novel about two brothers who suddenly find a fortune and must deal with all the excitement and chaos that follows.
Pamela Butchart writes fast, funny stories that begin in ordinary settings and quickly spiral into complete chaos. She has a knack for capturing children's imaginations through exaggerated misunderstandings and energetic storytelling.
Try My Headteacher Is a Vampire Rat, a wonderfully silly story about schoolchildren who become convinced their teacher is turning into something truly sinister.
Lemony Snicket's books stand out for their dry wit, dark comedy, and playful language. There is a distinctive charm to his storytelling, mixing mystery, absurdity, and clever humor in equal measure.
Readers who enjoy the slightly darker side of Walliams' comedy may especially like Snicket's series beginning with The Bad Beginning, which follows the intelligent Baudelaire siblings through one strange and unfortunate event after another.
Jeremy Strong writes lively, funny stories filled with escalating mishaps and comic mayhem. His books are ideal for readers who enjoy Walliams' energetic sense of humor and fondness for chaos.
One great example is The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog, about a boy trying to train his wildly overexcited pet, with predictably disastrous and very funny results.
