Books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid
If your child loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid, try Big Nate, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made and The Terrible Two. Each one has the same mix of jokes, drawings and everyday disasters that makes Wimpy Kid hard to put down.
10 books, checked for age-appropriate content. Updated .
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 9–11
Big Nate
by Lincoln Peirce
Nate Wright is an energetic middle-schooler who is completely convinced he is destined for greatness. Armed with a sketchbook and big ideas, he spends his days navigating detentions, dodging his strict social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey, and hanging out with his best friends Francis and Teddy. Told through a lively mix of text and comic strips, this funny story captures the daily highs and chaotic lows of school life, making it a hit with kids who enjoy fast-paced laughs and cheeky underdogs.
- 2
Ages 6–11
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
by Stephan Pastis
Meet Timmy Failure, the hilariously clueless founder and CEO of his own detective agency, Total Failure, Inc. Alongside his lazy, five-hundred-pound polar bear partner, Total, Timmy takes on local mysteries with complete overconfidence and terribly flawed logic. Packed with quirky cartoon illustrations, this deadpan, laugh-out-loud story appeals to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid who enjoy watching an unreliably funny narrator bumble his way through everyday life.
- 3
Ages 9–11
The Terrible Two
by Mac Barnett & Jory John
When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he expects to quickly claim his title as the school's top trickster. To his surprise, the town already has an undercover prank genius of its own. What begins as a hilarious turf war between two clever rivals gradually turns into an alliance against their strict, cow-obsessed principal. Packed with witty diagrams, dry humor, and elaborate schemes, this fast-paced story delivers laugh-out-loud fun that keeps children hooked from the very start.
- 4
Ages 9–11
The 13-Storey Treehouse
by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Andy and Terry live in an incredible multi-level treehouse packed with amazing inventions, from a see-through swimming pool and a bowling alley to a giant marshmallow machine. The two friends need to write their next book, but absurd distractions keep getting in the way, including flying cats, giant sea monsters, and unruly monkeys. Packed with wacky illustrations, slapstick humor, and frantic energy, this inventive tale keeps young readers laughing from start to finish.
- 5
Ages 6–11
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
When a police officer and his loyal police dog are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery creates Dog Man—part dog, part policeman, and wholly dedicated to justice. While struggling with doggy habits like chasing balls, he must protect the city from the scheming villain Petey the Cat. Told through lively, full-color comic panels with interactive flip-o-ramas, this fast-paced story appeals to young and reluctant readers through slapstick humor, warmth, and relentless energy.
- 6
Ages 6–11
Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Fourth-grade pranksters George and Harold spend their days creating comic books and driving their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, completely crazy. When they accidentally hypnotize him with a 3D Hypno-Ring, he transforms into their greatest superhero creation: the enthusiastic, wedgie-powered Captain Underpants. Full of wacky flip-o-rama animations, silly comic strips, and slapstick action, this heavily illustrated novel keeps reluctant and confident readers alike giggling from start to finish.
- 7
Ages 6–11
The Gopi Diaries
by Sudha Murty
Told entirely from the innocent, curious perspective of a Golden Retriever pup named Gopi, this heartwarming story follows his arrival into a loving Indian household. As Gopi explores his new surroundings, he learns about human habits, bonds with family members, and gets into gentle mischief. With simple language, warm illustrations, and genuine affection throughout, it gives children a lighthearted look at family life through the eyes of an energetic pet.
- 8
Ages 6–11
Cat Kid Comic Club
by Dav Pilkey
Li'l Petey, Flippy, and Molly host an art class for twenty-one energetic baby frogs to teach them how to make their own comic books. Using a variety of mediums like photography, clay, and haiku, the young frogs learn to express their creativity while navigating self-doubt, failure, and teamwork. Packed with lively graphic novel panels, playful humor, and mini-comics within the story, this book encourages budding artists and readers to embrace their mistakes and keep creating.
- 9
Ages 6–11
Geronimo Stilton (series)
by Geronimo Stilton (created by Elisabetta Dami)
Geronimo Stilton is a quiet, nervous mouse who runs a newspaper on New Mouse City, but his eccentric family members constantly drag him into wild adventures across the globe. From solving curious mysteries to surviving treacherous journeys, Geronimo bumbles through danger with plenty of comic mishaps. Children love the fast pace, lively full-color illustrations, and playful, colorful fonts that make reading feel dynamic and approachable for developing readers.
- 10
Ages 6–8
Judy Moody
by Megan McDonald
Feisty third-grader Judy Moody starts a new school year in a famously foul mood, dreading the typical getting-to-know-you assignments. Things take a turn when her teacher asks everyone to create a collage all about themselves. With help from her best friend Rocky and her annoying younger brother Stink, Judy dives into funny projects and quirky mishaps. Young readers love Judy's relatable temper tantrums, lively humor, and big personality.
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