Books


Liz Pichon’s award-winning Tom Gates book series has sold more than 16.5 million copies round the world in 47 languages. Each of the 21 (really funny!) books is a rich mix of stories, music, mischief and a whole lot of doodles. Tom’s everyday trials and tribulations at home and school immerse readers in a relatable world, wherever they live. You can read these books in any order.

Translated into 46 languages!

Published by

MORE than

16.5 million

copies sold worldwide

Tom Gates: Five Star Stories (HOORAY!)Tom Gates: Five Star Stories (HOORAY!)

Tom Gates #21

Q: Who wants their FIVE STAR funny story included in Oakfield School’s story book? A: EVERYONE! But what will Tom write about? Inspiration strikes when he looks at his excellent collection of ODD OBJECTS and remembers the funny stories behind each one. Marcus wants to write about Tom (which is annoying), Amy’s got a funny poem and Norman’s story is all about… cheese. But Mr Fullerman can only choose the FIVE STAR STORIES – will Tom get his work in on time?

"Another fantastic story from Liz. My son devours these books and finds them hilarious. Love the writing and illustration style of them and they always inspires my son to illustrate things himself too." A. S. Tatton-Reid

Amazon 5 Stars

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Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually!)Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually!)

Tom Gates #20

It’s TIDY UP Saturday, but Tom is VERY busy relaxing and not helping out much. Until he spots the art box of his dreams in a shop window and everything changes. He’s suddenly focused on earning extra pocket money and helping with EVERYTHING. But nothing quite goes to plan. At this rate it’s going to take a MILLION years for Tom to get the art box of his dreams… or will it?

"Absolute HIT! My little one has loved reading this. She has been really engaged and finished in record time. Brilliant book." Kylie83

Amazon 5 Stars

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Tom Gates Totally Brilliant Advent CalendarTom Gates Totally Brilliant Advent Calendar

Have a Tom Gates count down to Christmas with this advent calendar collection of twenty-four mini activity and story books, PERFECT for every Tom Gates superfan! Enjoy a book every day packed with how-to-doodles, mega make-and-do activities and stories to share, starring all your favourite characters, including Rooster, Marcus, Delia and Amy.

Tom Gates is as moreish as a caramel wafer’ The Sunday Times

High octane and highly entertaining’ Guardian

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The Brilliant World of Tom GatesThe Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Tom Gates #1

Tom Gates is a master of excuses, expert doodler, comic story writer extraordinaire – and the bane of his grumpy teacher, Mr Fullerman. And in his hilariously wacky journal, you’ll find all sorts of comic craziness to make you groan with glee! Tom’s battered homework diary is crammed with scribbles and stories, cartoons and jokes – as well as hilariously acerbic comments from the long-suffering Mr Fullerman. Don’t miss this first book in a fantastic series from Smarties Award winner Liz Pichon.

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'The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates' Red Book Cover With illustrations
Tom Gates Book Cover 'Excellent Excuses' with blue background and hand drawn cartoons

Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)

Tom Gates #2

"No school for two whole weeks! (Yeah!) I can forget ALL about lessons (and irritating things like Marcus Meldrew). And concentrate on good stuff like: Inventing new ways to annoy my sister Delia. (So many). Band practice for DOGZOMBIES (with my mate Derek). Watching TV and eating caramel wafers. Eating caramel wafers and watching TV. Excellent. Unfortunately a couple of small problems called the dentist and my big weirdo sister, Delia, seem to be getting in the way of my BRILLIANT plans..."

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Tom Gates Book Cover 'Excellent Excuses' with blue background and hand drawn cartoons

Everything’s Amazing (sort of)Everything’s Amazing (sort of)

Tom Gates #3

Back to school, but it's not all bad. Sports Day, the school fair and Tom's birthday are all coming up. And even better, his awful big sister Delia won't be at any of those events! On the downside, Granny Mavis is threatening to make his birthday cake - uh oh! But on the other hand, Mr Keen has asked Dogzombies to perform in front of the whole school! YEAH! Maybe they can even play at the school disco too. How can the term turn out any less than seriously amazing?

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Book cover of 'everything amazing' a book by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates fourth book. Genius Ideas

Genius Ideas (Mostly)Genius Ideas (Mostly)

Tom Gates #4

Seeing Delia without her sunglasses on is a BIG shock for Tom, but that's nothing compared with the surprise that Dad has in store with his new-found fitness regime! He says he's going to compete at the school Sports Day. Can you even imagine the horrendous shame that will bring? Meanwhile Tom, Derek and Norman are also busy with a training regime of their own - practising with Dogzombies to make sure they're ready for the school talent show. The highs and lows of Tom's life are funnier and more extreme than ever in this fourth wicked diary from the Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning series!

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Tom Gates fourth book. Genius Ideas

Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things)Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things)

Tom Gates #5

This takes the form of Tom's battered homework diary - crammed with his doodles and stories.

"Exciting News! Mr Fullerman announces that class 5F are going on an 'Activity Break'! Which should be fun. As long as I don't get stuck in a group with anyone who snores or worse still with . . . . . Marcus Meldrew. Delia is already threatening to paint my room funny colours while I'm away. Which is annoying. I just hope the only surprise I have when I get home is the new pet that I hear Mum and Dad talking about - I've always wanted a pet!"

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Tom Gates series Book 5. 'Absolutely Fantastic' purple book cover with vivid illustrations
Tom Gates series Book 6. 'Extra Special Treats' book cover in blue with cartoon drawings

Extra Special Treats (not)Extra Special Treats (not)

Tom Gates #6

"It's really cold outside and we're all hoping it's going to snow. Yeah! Derek and I could make a snow Rooster and have a snowball fight (look out, Delia!). Granny Mavis has started to knit me a new winter jumper, but by the looks of things I'm not sure it's going to fit. . ."

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Tom Gates series Book 6. 'Extra Special Treats' book cover in blue with cartoon drawings

A Tiny Bit LuckyA Tiny Bit Lucky

Tom Gates #7

Will Tom and his band be LUCKY enough to win the Rock Weekly Band Battle competition? They just might be if they could find time to practice! But with inspectors in the school, an amazing new cartoon on TV, caramel wafers to eat and a stray cat getting in the way, Tom’s a bit too busy having FUN!

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Tom Gates series. Book 7. 'A Tiny Bit Lucky' book cover in yellow with hand drawn illustrations
Tom Gates series. Book 8. 'Yes , No Maybe' book cover

Yes! No. (Maybe…)Yes! No. (Maybe…)

Tom Gates #8

"Sometimes making up my mind isn't easy to do. Specially when my grumpy sister Delia is looming over me. Mum's on a mission to tidy up the whole house. She says if I can't decide what to get rid of, she'll do it for me. Which would be a disaster! Lucky for me, the Fossils come to my rescue (more than once!)"

From the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Best Book for Younger Readers - Red House Children's Book Award, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 5 - 12 year-olds and the Blue Peter Best Story Book Award 2013.

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Tom Gates series. Book 8. 'Yes , No Maybe' book cover

Top of the Class (Nearly)Top of the Class (Nearly)

Tom Gates #9

TIPS FOR BEING TOP OF THE CLASS (Sadly…I did NONE of these things.) 1. Stay awake in lessons (it helps.) 2. Don’t draw HILARIOUS pictures of your teachers. 3. AVOID the class bully to stay out of trouble. 4. Don’t let Mum and Dad write ANYTHING in your school planner. 5. Don’t let your grumpy sister Delia BOSS you around. (Technically not a school issue – but still important.) I’m TRYING to get voted onto the school council as well – but thanks to the ABOVE list it’s not exactly going to plan.

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Tom Gates series. Book 9. 'Top of the Class' blue book cover with arrows and kids pictures
Tom Gates series. Book 10. 'Super Good Skills' book cover - yellow with hand drawn images

Super Good Skills (Almost)Super Good Skills (Almost)

Tom Gates #10

Book 10 in the BRILLIANT Tom Gates series has arrived!

Look out! Tom, Delia and the whole Gates family are going on holiday. How will Tom manage to keep himself busy on the most boring campsite ever? By doodling, of course!

An exciting new story – with doodle your own elements!

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Tom Gates series. Book 10. 'Super Good Skills' book cover - yellow with hand drawn images

DogZombies Rule (For Now)DogZombies Rule (For Now)

Tom Gates #11

Here's my EXCELLENT PLAN to make DogZombies the BEST band in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! How hard can it be? (Very.)

Right now I'm going to:

1. Write more songs. (Not about teachers.)
2. Make a SPECTACULAR music video. (Easy.)
3. Get some sleep. (Tricky when you're being kept awake by LOUD NOISES.)
4. Annoy Delia. (Nothing to do with DOGZOMBIES but always FUN.)

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Tom Gates series. Book 11. 'Dog Zombies Rule' book cover with drawings of kids and animals
Tom Gates 'Family, friends and furry creatures' book cover in red with animal illustrations

Family, Friends and Furry CreaturesFamily, Friends and Furry Creatures

Tom Gates #12

Mr Fullerman has a class assignment: a family tree! Tom's ready to learn all about the Gates family, his friends and a furry creature (or two!).

But just what is that squeaking sound coming from Tom's shoes?

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Tom Gates 'Family, friends and furry creatures' book cover in red with animal illustrations

Epic Adventure (Kind of)Epic Adventure (Kind of)

Tom Gates #13

"Having two sets of grandparents is turning out to be very good for me.

The Wrinklies are keen on giving presents AND they're planning a family outing which is going to be EPIC!

Even Delia wants to come. (I can always ignore her.)"

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Tom Gates series. Book 13. 'Epic Adventure' book cover orange with shapes
Tom Gates 'Biscuits bands' book cover with hand drawn pictures of kids and animals

Biscuits, Bands and Very Big PlansBiscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans

Tom Gates #14

Tom Gates has an announcement to make:

“This book is VERY important because it contains BISCUITS, BANDS and all my (doodled) plans (top secret of course) to make us global superstars and DogZombies the BEST band in the world."

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Tom Gates 'Biscuits bands' book cover with hand drawn pictures of kids and animals

What Monster?What Monster?

Tom Gates #15

Monsters? Mayhem? Music? (Caution, may contain biscuits.)

Everyone’s favourite mad-cap, band-obsessed, super-doodler Tom Gates is back in a brand new, fully-illustrated instalment, the 15th book in the bestselling series.

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Tom Gates 'What monster' book cover
Tom Gates 'story book' cover

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too)Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too)

Tom Gates #16

When Mum and Dad forget it's half term, what's Tom going to do to keep busy over the break? All his friends are away or busy and he doesn't want Delia left in charge! So he's finding lots of EXCELLENT things to do.

It's a weeks worth of doodling, games, stories and woolly monster making (because everyone needs one of those, don't they?)!

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Tom Gates 'story book' cover

Spectacular School Trip (Really…)Spectacular School Trip (Really…)

Tom Gates #17

Tom's doing everything possible to stay out of trouble but somehow he's got THREE sad faces on the school achievement chart!

And getting another sad face means Mr Fullerman won't let him go onthe SCHOOL TRIP!

Moany Marcus Meldrew is making things worse and now Tom's annoyed his grumpy sister Delia.

Can his best friend Derek help?

Will Rooster the dog stop eating his homework?

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Tom Gates 'Spectacular school trip' book cover with hand drawn images of a family
Tom Gates Book 'Tremendous Tales'

Ten Tremendous TalesTen Tremendous Tales

Tom Gates #18

The latest bestseller! A brand new laugh-out-loud, fully illustrated collection of stories starring Tom Gates and his friends, family and foes! Ten side-splitting tales featuring ant-infested underwear, a seriously delicious chicken pie and the enigmatic Wafer Boy.

Tom Gates is TREMENDOUS and so are his TALES!

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Tom Gates Book 'Tremendous Tales'

Random Acts of Fun – PaperbackRandom Acts of Fun – Paperback

Tom Gates #19

The top-of-the-class, extra special 19th bestseller from Liz Pichon – now in paperback. A laugh-out-loud, packed-with-pictures Tom Gates story! Oh no! Tom’s stuck at home with a fractured ankle and it’s spoiling his fun. Doodling on his plaster cast helps to pass the time, along with visits from family (with treats), friends and even Rooster managing to sneak in. Tom remembers other fun times he’s had, like metal detecting with Uncle Kevin and the cousins or inventing a new secret language with Derek. But only ONE thing will cheer Tom up: a caramel doughnut from the new bakery… trouble is, every other kid in town keeps getting there before him!

“My grandson loved it . Had previously bought all the Tom Gates books for my 7 year old grandson and from being a reluctant reader he absolutely loved them., so when “Random Acts of Fun” came out it was a no-brainer. He absolutely loves this one as well.” PerryE 

Amazon 5 stars

“I have a soft spot for this series, so love it when a new book comes out. This one was hilarious. Kids eating bowls full of sugar, caramel doughnuts, cool grandparents and a whole heap of illustrations to boot!” Rania T.

Good Reads 5 stars

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You Can DrawYou Can Draw

Bestselling author and illustrator Liz Pichon gives you a step-by-step guide to drawing the wonderful characters from her blockbuster Tom Gates series, and more! The must-have art activity book for fans of Tom Gates: a celebration of imagination and creativity, packed with how-to doodles, pictures to colour-in and things to make and do. Learn how to illustrate Rooster the dog and Tom’s favourite snacks, how to design a bedroom like Tom’s with your doodles on his walls, draw lots of facial expressions and much, much more!

Fantastic!! My 8 year old daughter LOVES it!!” C. Smith
Amazon 5 stars

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Tom Gates The Music BookTom Gates The Music Book

All the hits from Tom’s world, from Dude3 to DogZombies! Do you love Tom Gates? Do you love music? Then you’re in luck! In this book, you get both! Music is a HUGE part of Tom’s life. Now you can learn to play all your favourite songs from the book series, with real musical notation for the guitar, ukelele, piano, recorder and drums. There are tips and tricks for vocals, if you fancy raising your voice! Oh, and did we mention the cool mobile app that lets you practise with a virtual band? Plus, the music in this book can be used for the RSL Debut exams in piano, guitar and ukelele.

Does that sound good? Then get this book!

  • Learn to play all the hit songs from the book series
  • Real notation for guitar, ukelele, piano and more
  • Mobile app of accompaniments by 3FireMusic
  • Accredited by RSL for use in their Debut exams

Songs included: Nice Cup of Tea by Tea Cup Tony and The Saucers; What You Gonna Do? by Plastic Cup; Shout it Out by Dude3; Delia’s A Weirdo by DogZombies; The Cat Song by DogZombies; The School Dinner Blues (Chips Song) by DogZombies.

Please note RSL accreditation applies only to guitar, ukelele and piano parts. Mobile app works with iOS and Android.

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Tom Gates 'Music Book' book cover in orange