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Cover of The World's Worst Children

Age rating and parents' guide:The World's Worst Children

by David Walliams

Ages 9–11

The World's Worst Children by David Walliams is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Gross-out humor (mild).

Meet ten hilariously awful boys and girls in this collection of cheeky cautionary tales. From Dribbling Drew, whose excessive drool causes catastrophic chaos, to Peter Pew, who simply refuses to wash, each child showcases a delightfully dreadful habit that spirals out of control. With Quentin Blake-style colourful illustrations and over-the-top gross-out humour, this fast-paced anthology appeals greatly to young readers who love absurd, mischievous stories and cartoonish slapstick.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
None
Scary moments
None
Romance
None
Bad language
None

Worth knowing: Gross-out humor (mild)

Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Early chapter book
  • ★Easy to get into from the first page
  • ★Plenty of illustrations
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Great for kids who like

  • Humor & Comedy
  • Art & drawing

Reading mood

  • Funny

Good to talk about

  • Creativity & writing
  • Humor & Comedy

Books like The World's Worst Children

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  • Cover of Cricket for the Crocodile

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    Cricket for the Crocodile

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    Ranji and his friends love playing cricket on the riverbank, but Nakoo the grumpy crocodile is not pleased when their games disturb his sunbathing. When an errant cricket ball strikes Nakoo, a hilarious chase ensues, causing chaos for players, bank clerks, and spectators alike. Ruskin Bond blends gentle humor with the warmth of small-town Indian life in this charming tale. Young readers will enjoy the lively, comical standoff between determined boys and an equally stubborn reptile.

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  • Cover of Where the Sidewalk Ends

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    Where the Sidewalk Ends

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    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.

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  • Cover of Frank Einstein

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    Frank Einstein

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    Frank Einstein is a kid genius who loves tinkering, inventing, and exploring how the physical world works. After a bolt of lightning strikes his garage laboratory, two self-assembled robots—Klink and Klank—spring to life with very different personalities. Together, they work on an ambitious science project, only to face competition from Frank's rival, T. Edison. Packed with engaging illustrations, real scientific principles, and plenty of slapstick humor, this is an entertaining, fast-paced read for curious minds.

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    Diary of a Wimpy Kid

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    Greg Heffley is starting middle school, where undersized weaklings like him share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. To survive, he records his daily misadventures, family annoyances, and flawed plans for popularity in an illustrated journal. Written in a sharp, self-absorbed voice and packed with cartoon sketches, it offers a laugh-out-loud look at adolescent insecurity that reluctant and avid readers alike find hilarious.

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is The World's Worst Children for?
The World's Worst Children suits children aged 9–11. It is an early chapter book: easy to get into from the first page, plenty of illustrations.
Q: Is The World's Worst Children appropriate for a 9 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing before reading: Gross-out humor (mild).
Q: What should my child read after The World's Worst Children?
Try A Light in the Attic, Cricket for the Crocodile and Where the Sidewalk Ends. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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