
Titles in This Set:
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Excellent Excuses
Genius Ideas
Everything's Amazing
Is Absolutely Fantastic
Condition: New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9789999648424
Overview:
This five-book collection brings Liz Pichon’s beloved Tom Gates series into one delightful paperback set, ideal for readers stepping into chapter books with humor and heart. The five titles—The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Excellent Excuses, Genius Ideas, Everything's Amazing, Is Absolutely Fantastic—collect Tom’s diary-style adventures, doodle-filled pages, and offbeat sense of humor that has captivated millions of fans in the UK and beyond. The first book in this award-winning series won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, signaling to new readers that Tom’s world is built on wit, warmth, and a distinctly British schoolyard voice. Perfect for gift-giving and classroom libraries, this complete set invites kids to dive into Tom’s world where school days, family moments, and friendships collide with cartoons, one-liners, and big personalities. The result is a book collection that’s breezy, entertaining, and surprisingly relatable—an inviting entry point for reluctant readers and a joyful re-read for long-time fans alike.
What This Collection Covers:
Across these five titles, Tom navigates the daily comedy of school life with a sharp eye for what’s funny and what matters. The collection blends short, breezy chapters with affectionate doodles, jokes, and captions that give emergent readers easy entry points while rewarding confident readers with quicker pacing and punchy humor. Readers follow Tom through misadventures at school, attempts to impress friends and family, and the small, chaotic moments that make up a child's world. The set captures the warmth of a close-knit group of characters, the chaos of a busy family, and the universal appeal of a kid who uses imagination—through drawings and clever narration—to make sense of everyday challenges. It’s a complete, approachable reader experience that reinforces the joy of reading as play, not punishment, and it makes a perfect stepping-stone to longer novels in a beloved series.
Book-by-Book Guide:
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Tom Gates introduces readers to a master of excuses and a budding artist who hides his big ideas inside a bustling, doodle-filled notebook. The voice is playful, the jokes are sharp, and the adventures feel intimate—like peeking into a friend’s private notebook. Readers meet Tom’s classmates, his patient but often exasperated teacher, and the spark of curiosity that drives his creativity. The day-to-day humor—camping mishaps, school events, and family antics—lands with relatable charm. It’s a witty invitation to find the fun in ordinary moments, encouraging kids to scribble, daydream, and keep a personal log of their own adventures.
Excellent Excuses
Tom’s infamous homework diary returns with a fresh batch of clever ruses and the doodled sidebars that fans adore. This volume leans into Tom’s imaginative approach to problem-solving, riffing on late-night homework battles, silly schemes, and the everyday chaos of growing up. The humor remains accessible, while the emotional undertone—friendships tested, family dynamics, and the tug-of-war between responsibility and play—adds warmth. The combination of brisk chapters and comic breaks keeps reluctant readers engaged, and the diary format invites readers to imagine their own entertaining excuses for life’s little hiccups.
Everything's Amazing
In this installment, Tom’s world feels bigger as new events—school discos, talent shows, and birthday plans—creep into the narrative. The humor stays fast and visible through quick-fire jokes and energetic drawings that punctuate the text. Tom’s voice remains candid and mischievous, celebrating small victories while lovingly ribbing the chaos of ordinary life. The interplay of text and cartoons continues to empower readers who learn best by visual cues, and the story’s optimism—paired with relatable mishaps—keeps the rhythm light, ensuring readers return for more of Tom’s endearing chaos.
Genius Ideas
Tom’s imagination runs full tilt as he grapples with new adventures, school events, and a dashed plan or two. The humor is inventive, the pace brisk, and the doodles provide a visual map for readers following Tom’s thoughts as they jump from one idea to the next. The book shines in showing how creativity can both complicate and enrich everyday moments, delivering a satisfying arc of mishaps, experimentation, and small wins. It’s a strong pick for kids who love cartoons, quick setups, and a narrator who isn’t afraid to laugh at himself.
Is Absolutely Fantastic
The final volume in this collection keeps Tom’s lively voice front and center, celebrating friendship, family, and the thrill of small triumphs. The narrative spark remains bright as Tom prepares for activities and encounters the chaos of adolescence with humor and heart. The ending lands with warmth, leaving readers with a sense of belonging to Tom’s world and a ready appetite for more adventures in the series. This title is a perfect capstone for a complete set that rewards continued reading with familiar jokes, recurring characters, and the irresistible charm of Liz Pichon’s doodle-driven storytelling.
Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This five-book collection is tailor-made for middle-grade readers seeking humor, relatability, and quick, joyful reads. It’s ideal for fans of diary-style storytelling, cartoon-style illustrations, and breezy chapter books that build reading confidence without sacrificing wit. Gift buyers will find a dependable, high-appeal set for birthdays, holidays, or classroom libraries. Parents and teachers will appreciate its balance of fun and accessibility, which supports independent reading, paired-reading activities, and the development of literacy through visual engagement. Perfect for fans of light-hearted humor and coming-of-age moments, this set also serves as an approachable entry point into longer chapter-book adventures.
Key Benefits:
About the Author:
Liz Pichon is the author and illustrator behind the Tom Gates series, a vibrant fusion of narrative and doodles that invites readers to see the world through Tom’s imaginative eyes. The first book earned the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, kicking off a long-running, globally adored series known for its playful typography, comic interludes, and warm portrayal of school life and friendships. Pichon’s distinctive voice—part diary, part sketchbook—has helped countless children discover the joy of reading, while also giving parents and teachers a reliable, entertaining vehicle for discussing creativity, resilience, and everyday mischief. Her work celebrates curiosity, humor, and the power of pictures to tell a story as effectively as words.
Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’re building a true book collection for a budding reader, this 5-book set offers both depth and delight. The combination of short, engaging chapters and playful illustrations makes it ideal for steady, independent reading, quick classroom activities, and shared reading moments at home. Owning the complete first five adventures saves time and creates a cohesive reading experience, turning each title into a stepping-stone toward more advanced chapter books. The familiar tone and recurring characters foster reading fluency and confidence, while the humor keeps reading enjoyable—perfect for gift buyers seeking a reliable, high-appeal set with long-term value.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
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