Review: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

For boys, in particular, there's so much fun and creativity to be found in a fully illustrated junior fiction book. Yes, the text may be nominal but sometimes the gist of the text, the humour and relatability are more than enough to feed the literary well of kids.

War and Peace can come later - or - more righly - when they are ready.

I mean, if they're struggling to read or just want something light, why scare them away with the onus of heavy nightly texts?
My own eight-year-old son enjoys a good solid read but he also adored these Tom Gates books for their rollicking fun and humour - a bit like a footloose cartoon after a mind-pumping documentary.

Tom Gates is an irreverent yet 'normal' school kid who takes much delight in torturing his older sister Delia. He's also a master homework escapologist and likes to spend his time doodling in his homework book and planning his next rehearsal with his band the Dog Zombies.

In diary format, complete with kooky illustrations, the books feature fabulous kidspeak dialogue, adorable line drawings, wonderful typesetting and a rollicking pace of unfortunate events that bring out loud giggles.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates was shortlisted for Roald Dahl Funny Prize: The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen 2011.

Title: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates / Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses

Author/Illustrator: Liz Pichon

Publisher: Scholastic, $17.95 RRP

Publication Date: 4 April 2011 / 1 September 2011

ISBN: 9781407120690 / 9781407124407

Format: Paperback

For ages: 6 - 12

Type: Junior Fiction, illustrated