Waiting for the Next Treehouse or Wimpy Kid? Keep Your Eyes Peeled for these 2018 Releases!

The sales charts in 2017 were once again dominated by the next instalment in Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton’s Treehouse series, and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid phenomenon continues to gain momentum. Both these series have had a real and noticeable impact in the reading enthusiasm of kids across Australia and we know how important it is to you all to keep that enthusiasm alive as these young readers eagerly anticipated the next release in each series.

We have scoured the lists of books coming out in the first half of 2018 and compiled a list of the funniest, wackiest, and downright silliest books making their way to your schools, libraries and local bookstores. Are there any we’ve missed that you’re household is looking forward to?

To get the ball rolling we thought we would remind you of a few series that you may have missed

Funny Kid for President by Matt Stanton

With two books in this series now available, Matt Stanton has already created quite the following. Funny Kid tells the story of class clown Max and his various plots and schemes. Ages 8+

The Stinky Street Stories by Alex Ratt

Illustrated by Jules Faber of Weirdo fame, this is the first in a brilliant new series about Brain and his life on Stinky Street. Full of rotten reeks, awful aromas and sickening scents, this will keep readers groaning with disgust and delight! Ages 7+

Tracy Lacy is Completely Coo-Coo Bananas by Tania Lacey

Perfect for girls who love Wimpy Kid, and created by Australian comedian Tania Lacy, this book is full of embarrassing parents, silly lists and the hijinks all kids due to start high school are familiar with. Ages 9+

The Tom Weekly Series by Tristan Bancks

Tom Weekly is Australia’s answer to Greg Heffley, and the trials and tribulations of his day-to-day life will not leave readers disappointed. Due to be relaunched in April with snazzy new covers, and with 5 books currently available, this is the ideal series to settle into and fall in love with. Ages 8+

RELEASED FEBRUARY:

Danny Best: Me First by Jen Storer

The highly energetic and enthusiastic Danny is now into his third book in the series, and if Jen Storer’s dynamic writing doesn’t hook kids then Mitch Vane’s expressive illustrations will! Ages 7+

I Swapped My Brother on the Internet by Jo Simmons

A new novel from Jo Simmons sees Jonny living out the dream of many young readers – literally swapping his annoying baby brother for someone much better. But finding the perfect brother isn’t easy, as Jonny discovers when Sibling Swap sends him a line of increasingly bizarre replacements. This is a hilarious tale of wish fulfilment that all kids will relate to. (Ages 9+)

Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Ghosts by Katie and Kevin Tsang

Sam Wu is NOT a scaredy-cat (except he is). When a school excursion goes horribly wrong, Sam begins a mission to prove to the school bully, and all of his friends, that he is actually fearless. This is a truly laugh-out-loud and madcap story of ghost hunting, snakes and mischievous pet cats called Butterbutt. (Ages 9+)

RELEASED MARCH:

Frankie Fish and the Great Wall of Chaos by Peter Helliar

Time Travel troublemaker Frankie Fish returns in his second adventure. Written by Australian comedian, Peter Helliar, Frankie Fish is full of the silliness and energy that you would expect. (Ages 9+)

The Super Life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson

The first book in a funny and action-packed new series from the author of the best-selling Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja. Ben is just an ordinary kid, living an ordinary life – until he is selected to attend a school for kids with special abilities (which he’s fairly certain he does NOT have). (Ages 9+)

Ninja Kid: From Nerd to Ninja by Anh Do

The creator of Weirdo and HotDog introduces us to his new hero Nelson – an unfit, uncool and totally awkward Nerd. But when Nelson wakes up on his tenth birthday, he discovers he’s a NINJA! THE LAST NINJA ON EARTH! How’s he going to save the world when he can’t even get his undies on the right way? (Ages 8+)

Pixel Raiders: Space Fortress by Bajo & Hex

If the videogame fans in your house haven’t already discovered this awesome series written by the two hosts of ABC’s GoodGame then now is the time! The series follows the escapades of Rip and Mei as they battle their way out of a video game they have found themselves trapped in. (Ages 8+)

RELEASED APRIL:

Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes by Greg James and Chris Smith

Running a team of crime-fighting superheroes is a complicated business especially when your mum ‘s not allowed to know that you ‘re doing it. But Murph Cooper is making it work- he ‘s a schoolkid by day and a member of the top-secret Heroes ‘ Alliance by night. This is the second epically funny adventure starring Murph Cooper and the Super Zeroes. (Ages 9+)

Dork Diaries #13: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday by Rachel Renee Russell

There is a reason that Russell’s series of books about Nikki Maxwell, Queen of the Dorks have SUCH a following. Through doodles and diary entries, Nikki spills all the details of her dorktastic life: BFF dramas, coping with crushes, mean girl face-offs and MEGA-embarrassing little sisters, it’s all here in Nikki’s diaries. (Ages 9+)

The Long Class Goodnight by Sammy J

The Long Class Goodnight is the first title in a hilarious new middle-grade fiction series by award-winning comedian, Sammy J. Meet Justin Monaghetti. He is destined to be a LOSER. His parents think so. His principle seems to agree. And the school bully is definitely keen to prove it. A super-weird story of overcoming odds and defying your destiny. (Ages 9+)

The Extremely Weird Thing That Happened at Huggabie Falls by Adam Cece

Kipp Kindle and his friends Tobias Treachery and Cymphany Chan live in Huggabie Falls, the weirdest town on Earth. Weird things happen all the time – that’s normal. But when an extremely weird thing happens Kipp and his friends know that something is wrong. They embark on a fast-paced, action-packed, hilarious adventure to find out what is making everything turn normal, and to return the weirdness to Huggabie Falls. (Ages 9+)

RELEASED MAY:

Bab Sharkey and the Animal Mummies by Andrew Hansen & Jessica Roberts

Award-winning Australian comedian Andrew Hansen, best known as a member of The Chaser, has teamed up with wife, designer Jessica Roberts, to create their very first children’s book aimed at middle-grade readers. Bab Sharkey is a fun adventure story about mummified animals set in an ancient city lost in the Egyptian desert. (Ages 8+)