Best David Walliams Books (2026): 4 Picks Compared

A reader hunting for the best david walliams books usually wants a funny story that holds a middle grade reader to the last page. We compared Walliams picks by reading age, grade level, page count and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The World of David Walliams by Walliams	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The World's Worst Parents by Walliams	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Ice Monster by Walliams	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Gangsta Granny by Walliams	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The World of David Walliams by Walliams

David Walliams·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Five Walliams novels in one box set, reading age 8 to 12 years, marked as from customers.

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Pros

• Five novels in one set
• 1426 pages across the set
• Listing reading age of 8 to 12 years, marked as from customers

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• A box set is a bigger commitment
• No grade level stated on the listing

2

The World's Worst Parents by Walliams

David Walliams·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Ten short tales of silly parents, reading age 7 to 12 years, grade level 4 to 6.

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Pros

• Ten tales in one volume
• Reading age 7 to 12 years and grade level 4 to 6, which agree
• 312 pages of short stories

Cons

• Book 5 of 8, so earlier volumes come first for a series reader
• Gross-out humor, including a toilet brush, may not suit every reader
• No illustrator named on the listing

3

The Ice Monster by Walliams

WALLIAMS DAVID·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Victorian orphan and a woolly mammoth head to the Arctic, reading age 7 to 12 years.

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Pros

• 496 pages for a long adventure
• Reading age 7 to 12 years, without a from-customers mark
• Illustrated by Tony Ross, per the description

Cons

• No grade level stated on the listing
• No series position stated
• 496 pages may be long for some readers

4

Gangsta Granny by Walliams

Walliams David·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of a 2-book Gangsta Granny series, reading age 7 to 11 years, marked as from customers.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, a clear starting point
• 299 pages, fewer than the other single novels
• Paperback format, per the listing title

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• No grade level stated on the listing
• Oldest publication date in this list

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More picks to compare

• Slime by WalliamsFor readers ages 7 to 9, a 320-page Walliams novel published July 21, 2022.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. Each listing here gives a reading age; the World’s Worst Parents listing also gives a grade level, and the Gangsta Granny and box set reading ages are marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best david walliams books

Match the reading age and grade level together

The World’s Worst Parents listing gives a reading age of 7 to 12 years and grade level 4 to 6. The Gangsta Granny and box set reading ages are marked as from customers. For more choices by level, browse all middle grade books.

Start a series at Book 1, or pick a box set

Gangsta Granny is Book 1 of 2, a clear starting point; The World’s Worst Parents is Book 5 of 8. The box set collects five novels in a single purchase. See every kids and teens list for more.

Before you buy

• Check the format: the box set is a five-novel set.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first.
• Compare the grade level with the reader’s current grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a new reader start with David Walliams?

Gangsta Granny is Book 1 of 2, a clear starting point; the box set collects five novels for a reader who wants several stories at once.

What age are these books for?

Reading ages run from 7 to 12 years: Gangsta Granny lists 7 to 11 years, marked as from customers, and the other two single novels list 7 to 12 years.

Is there a box set of David Walliams books?

Yes. The World of David Walliams box set collects five novels and lists 1426 pages, reading age 8 to 12 years, marked as from customers.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe World of David Walliams by Walliams

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: David Walliams book sets for children, joke books and dinosaur chapter books for kids.