Tom Gates Series

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(629 reviews)

Young readers love this quirky, funny, highly-illustrated, fiction series which follows life’s ups and downs of the chaotic but loveable Tom, Delia, his old sister, his parents, his best friend Derek and his arch enemy, Marcus. Written by award-winning author and illustrator Liz Pichon, Tom is a master of excuses (especially when it comes to homework), creative storyteller and doodler and middle-school comedian extraordinaire. 

There are now more than 25 books in the Tom Gates series with 21 books in the main series and a variety of activity books to support the series.  And in terms of an age recommendation, I think these are great books for ages 8+ and if you want to start at the beginning, the first Tom Gates book is The Brilliant World of Tom Gateswhich was first published in 2011. 

Love this series? Check out our list of the Best Illustrated Fiction Series for 9 and 10 year olds

You don't have to read the Tom Gates books in order, but if you do want to, you can see the correct order below.

All the Tom Gates books in order:

Book 1: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (2011)
Book 2: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff) (2011)
Book 3: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) (2012)
Book 4: Genius Ideas (Mostly) (2012)
Book 5: Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) (2013)
Book 6: Extra Special Treats (not) (2014)
Book 7: A Tiny Bit Lucky (2015)
Book 8: Yes! No (Maybe) (2015)
Book 9: Top of the Class (Nearly) (2016)
Book 10: Super Good Skills (Almost...) (2017)
Book 11: Dog Zombies Rule (for Now) (2017)
Book 12: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures (2018)
Book 13: Epic Adventure (Kind of) (2018)
Book 14: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (2018)
Book 15: What Monster? (2018)
Book 16: Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too!) (2019)
Book 17: Spectacular School Trip (Really.) (2019)
Book 18: Ten Tremendous Tales (2021)
Book 19: Random Acts of Fun (2021)
Book 20: Happy to Help (2022)
Book 21: Five Star Stories (2023)
Book 22: Tom Gates Ha! Ha! Hilarious (2024)

World Book Day: Best Book Day Ever! (So Far) (2013)
Activity Book: Tom Gates: Big Book of Fun Stuff (2020)
Activity Book: Big Book of Everything (2024)

More to Explore

You can see other titles, not in the main series, like Tom Gates Music Book, if you click on the "Other Titles" tab below.

Book 1
Book 1

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

The first book in the bestselling Tom Gates series of books from the brilliantly talented Liz Pichon. ... MoreThe Brilliant World of Tom Gates

(104 reviews) 5 104
Review
Book 2
Book 2

Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)

"No school for two whole weeks! (Yeah!) I can forget ALL about lessons (and irritating things like Marcus Meldrew). And ... MoreExcellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)

(28 reviews) 5 28
Review
Book 3
Book 3

Everything's Amazing (sort of)

This takes the form of Tom's battered homework diary - crammed with his doodles and stories. "Back to schoo... MoreEverything's Amazing (sort of)

(31 reviews) 5 31
Review
Book 4
Book 4

Genius Ideas (Mostly)

"Seeing Delia without her sunglasses on is a BIG shock, but that's nothing compared with the surprise Dad has in s... MoreGenius Ideas (Mostly)

(18 reviews) 5 18
Review
Book 5
Book 5

Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)

This takes the form of Tom's battered homework diary - crammed with his doodles and stories. "Exciting News... MoreTom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)

(20 reviews) 5 20
Review
Book 6
Book 6

Tom Gates Extra Special Treats (... not)

It's really cold outside and we're all hoping it's going to snow. Yeah! Derek and I could make a snow Rooster and ... MoreTom Gates Extra Special Treats (... not)

(33 reviews) 5 33
Review
Book 7
Book 7

A Tiny Bit Lucky

Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Best Story Book Awa... MoreA Tiny Bit Lucky

(25 reviews) 5 25
Review
Book 8
Book 8

Yes! No (Maybe...)

The laugh-out-loud Tom Gates is back in another brilliant instalment of Liz Pichon's bestselling illustrated series. Som... MoreYes! No (Maybe...)

(32 reviews) 5 32
Review
Book 9
Book 9

Top of the Class (Nearly)

From the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Best Book for Younger Readers - Red House Children's Book Award... MoreTop of the Class (Nearly)

(27 reviews) 5 27
Review
Book 10
Book 10

Super Good Skills (Almost...)

Look out! Tom, Delia and the whole Gates family are going on holiday. How will Tom manage to keep himself busy on ... MoreSuper Good Skills (Almost...)

(13 reviews) 5 13
Review
Book 11
Book 11

Tom Gates: DogZombies Rule (For now)

Here's my EXCELLENT PLAN to make DogZombies the BEST band in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! How hard can it be? ... MoreTom Gates: DogZombies Rule (For now)

(43 reviews) 5 43
Review
Book 12
Book 12

Tom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures

In the next hilarious illustrated instalment of Tom Gates, Mr Fullerman has a class assignment: a family tree! Tom... MoreTom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures

(54 reviews) 5 54
Review
Book 13
Book 13

Tom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of)

The brand new hilarious and fully-illustrated instalment of the bestselling Tom Gates series! Having two se... MoreTom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of)

(29 reviews) 5 29
Review
Book 14
Book 14

Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans

The fourteenth title in the bestselling Tom Gates series of books from the brilliantly talented Liz ... MoreTom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans

(21 reviews) 5 21
Review
Book 15
Book 15

Tom Gates 15: What Monster?

The fifteenth title in the bestselling Tom Gates series of books from the brilliantly talented Liz ... MoreTom Gates 15: What Monster?

(32 reviews) 5 32
Review
Book 16
Book 16

Tom Gates: Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too!)

The sixteenth title in the bestselling series, from the brilliantly talented Liz Pichon. When Mum... MoreTom Gates: Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too!)

(14 reviews) 5 14
Review
Book 17
Book 17

Tom Gates: Spectacular School Trip (Really.)

The seventeenth laugh-out-loud, fully illustrated Tom Gates adventure! Tom's doing everything poss... MoreTom Gates: Spectacular School Trip (Really.)

(35 reviews) 5 35
Review
Book 18
Book 18

Tom Gates 18: Ten Tremendous Tales (HB)

The absolutely brilliant, extra special eighteenth bestseller from multi-million copy selling author and... MoreTom Gates 18: Ten Tremendous Tales (HB)

(18 reviews) 5 18
Review
Book19
Book19

Tom Gates 19:Random Acts of Fun

  The top-of-the-class, extra special bestseller from multi-million copy selling author and illustrator Li... MoreTom Gates 19:Random Acts of Fun

(8 reviews) 5 8
Review
Book 20
Book 20

Tom Gates 20: Happy to Help (eventually)

  The top-of-the-class, extra special 20th book from multi-million copy selling author and illustrator Liz... MoreTom Gates 20: Happy to Help (eventually)

(12 reviews) 5 12
Review
Book 22
Book 22

Tom Gates Ha! Ha! Hilarious HB

  The feel-good, laugh-out-loud 23rd Tom Gates book from multi-million bestselling author and illustrator ... MoreTom Gates Ha! Ha! Hilarious HB

(2 reviews) 5 2
Review
World Book Day
World Book Day

Tom Gates: Best Book Day Ever (so far)

This is crammed with Tom's stories and doodles. "It's BOOK WEEK in Oakfield school and EVERYONE is very excited. Includi... MoreTom Gates: Best Book Day Ever (so far)

(6 reviews) 5 6
Review
Activity Book
Activity Book

Tom Gates: Big Book of Fun Stuff

  Don't get bored - get busy! The must-have activity book for fans of Tom Gates: packed with drawin... MoreTom Gates: Big Book of Fun Stuff

(1 review) 5 1
Review

Tom Gates: Book of Everything

  The ultimate book for Tom Gates fans to read and fill-in all year round! Packed with brand new ac... MoreTom Gates: Book of Everything

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Book 30
Book 30

Tom Gates: Pesky Pets and Parties

  The brand new feel-good, laugh-out-loud Tom Gates story featuring LOADS of doodles, three parties and so... MoreTom Gates: Pesky Pets and Parties

(4 reviews) 5 4
Review
Book 31
Book 31

Tom Gates 24: Pesky Pets and Parties (Book 24)

  The brand new feel-good, laugh-out-loud Tom Gates story featuring LOADS of doodles, three parties and so... MoreTom Gates 24: Pesky Pets and Parties (Book 24)

(0 reviews)
Review
Book 32
Book 32

Tom Gates Is Not Famous (Yet) (Book 25)

The brand new feel-good, laugh-out-loud Tom Gates story featuring LOADS of doodles, starry-eyed dreams and some di... MoreTom Gates Is Not Famous (Yet) (Book 25)

(0 reviews)
Review
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