Tom Gates Series by Liz Pichon 5 Books Collection Set - Children's Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)
Everything's Amazing (sort of)
Genius Ideas (Mostly)
Tom Gates Is Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things)

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9789124022877
Publisher: Scholastic
Age Range: Ages 8-12 (Grades 3-7)

Overview
This five-book paperback bundle collects the first Tom Gates adventures by bestselling British author-illustrator Liz Pichon: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Excellent Excuses, Everything's Amazing, Genius Ideas, and Is Absolutely Fantastic. Written and drawn in Tom's own scrappy notebook style, each title blends short diary entries with cartoons, doodles, and comments from his exasperated teacher, Mr. Fullerman. It's an ideal introduction to chapter books for reluctant or emerging readers who love to laugh out loud, and a satisfying binge for longtime fans revisiting where the whole series began.

About the Books
Tom Gates is a British schoolboy with a talent for excuses, a head full of big ideas, and a notebook crammed with doodles that bring his everyday chaos to life. Across these five titles, readers follow Tom through late homework disasters, disastrous school trips, sibling squabbles with his older sister Delia, and his ongoing quest to impress his best friend Derek and, occasionally, his crush Amy Porter. The diary format keeps entries short and punchy, mixing narration with hand-lettered captions, sketches, and comic asides that make the pages feel handmade and personal. Liz Pichon's illustration-heavy approach means even reluctant readers can follow the story visually, while the sharp, observational humor keeps confident readers entertained too. The first book in this collection, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, recognizing the series' distinctive blend of comedy and heart. Themes of family, friendship, and creativity run throughout, as Tom constantly turns ordinary school and home moments into elaborate stories and inventions. The set reads well in order, since running jokes and characters build across books, but each title also stands alone as a complete, laugh-out-loud adventure. Parents and teachers often praise the series for turning reluctant readers into eager ones, thanks to its visual storytelling and forgiving, bite-sized chapters that never feel like a chore to finish.

Key Benefits

• Five complete Tom Gates paperbacks in one ready-to-gift bundle
• Doodle-filled diary format welcomes emerging and reluctant readers
• Includes The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize
• Short, punchy chapters keep pacing brisk and pages turning
• Great for classroom libraries and independent reading time
• Brand new paperbacks, perfect for birthdays or back-to-school gifting

Book-by-Book Guide
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates — Introduces Tom's excuse-making genius and doodle-packed notebook amid school and camping mishaps.
Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff) — Tom cooks up fresh homework alibis while juggling friendships and family chaos at home.
Everything's Amazing (sort of) — School discos and talent-show plans crowd Tom's world as his doodles and daydreams multiply.
Genius Ideas (Mostly) — Tom's inventive streak takes center stage as his big plans don't always go quite as hoped.
Tom Gates Is Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things) — Tom weighs his talents against his mishaps in a diary of typical Tom Gates highs and lows.

About the Author
Liz Pichon is a British author and illustrator who studied graphic design at Camberwell School of Art before creating the bestselling Tom Gates series. Told through Tom's illustrated diary entries, the books have become a global hit with young readers thanks to their doodle-heavy pages and sharp, funny voice. The first title, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, cementing Pichon's reputation for blending comedy with genuine warmth. She has since expanded the series across more than twenty books, alongside picture books and other illustrated projects for children.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Five books of doodles, laughs, and relatable school-day chaos make this a stress-free way to spark a reading habit. Perfect as a birthday gift, stocking stuffer, or classroom addition, Tom Gates delivers giggles kids will want to read again and again.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.