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. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 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. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
- 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. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.
- 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. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 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. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 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. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
- 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. A relatable way to explore family bonds and everyday experiences.
- 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. Invites children to imagine, create, and share ideas of their own.
- 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. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
- 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. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
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