A complete list of the Tom Gates books in order.
If you’re looking for the complete list of Tom Gates books in order, you’re in the right place!
The Tom Gates books are written by multi-million copy bestselling author and illustrator Liz Pichon.
The first book in the series, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, was the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Scottish BAFTA for Entertainment.
The Tom Gates books have always been a big hit in our house.
The easy to read, diary format instantly appealed to my reluctant-reader eldest son. His younger two siblings also enjoy reading about Tom’s antics.
The books about are stuffed full of laughs and doodles and they’re just brilliant for kids. There are twenty books in the series and it does help if you read the Tom Gates books in order.
Here’s the complete list of Tom Gates books in order.
Tom Gates Book 1: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Tom Gates is the master of excuses for late homework: dog attacks & spilt water & lightning…
Tom’s exercise book is full of his doodles, cartoons and thoughts, as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerton.
After gaining five merits for his CAMPING SUCKS holiday story, Tom’s work starts to go downhill –
which is a pity, as he’s desperate to impress Amy Porter, who sits next to him…
Tom Gates Book 2: Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff)
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…
Tom Gates Book 3: Everything’s Amazing (Sort of)
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?
Tom Gates Book 4: Genius Ideas (Mostly)
Seeing Delia without her sunglasses on is a BIG shock, but that’s nothing compared with the surprise Dad has in store for me with his new found fitness regime.
He says he’s going to compete at my Sport’s Day.
Shame!
Meanwhile Derek, Norman and I keep practicing in DOGZOMBIES so we’re really ready for the school Talent Show.
Tom Gates Book 5: Tom Gates Is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things)
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.
Because I’ve always wanted a pet!
Tom Gates Book 6: Extra Special Treats (not)
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…
Tom Gates Book 7: A Tiny Bit Lucky
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!
Tom Gates Book 8: Yes! No. (Maybe)
Sometimes making up my mind isn’t easy to do.
Especially 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!)
Tom Gates Book 9: Top of the Class (Nearly)
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.
Tom Gates Book 10: Super Good Skills
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!
Tom Gates Book 11: DogZombies Rule
Here’s my EXCELLENT PLAN to make MY band 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 the band, but always FUN)
Tom Gates Book 12: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures
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?
Tom Gates Book 13: Epic Adventure (kind of)
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.)
Tom Gates Book 14: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans
This book is VERY important because it contains BISCUITS, BANDS and all my (doodled) plans to make DogZombies the BEST band in the world.
MY VERY BIG PLAN:
1. Write more songs about VERY important things like…… biscuits
2. Make sure there’s a good supply of SNACKS for our band practice
3. Avoid Delia at ALL COSTS, she thinks I’ve been SNOOPING in her room. (I have.)
4. DOODLE as much as possible, especially if Marcus is watching
Tom Gates Book 15: What Monster?
What’s that?
A MONSTER?
How has this scary beast escaped into Tom’s sort-of-normal world?
- Is it one of his doodles?
- Is it Delia on the rampage?
- Or is it Mr Fullerman at full moon?
All will be revealed in this book.
According to Tom, it contains:
MONSTERS – MYSTERY – A MUSIC FESTIVAL – MISSING STUFF.
Oh, and also a very strict supply teacher who is every kid’s nightmare.
Is _that_ the monster?
But you’re not scared of monsters, are you? So don’t let it put you off!
Tom Gates Book 16: Mega Make and Do and Stories Too!
When Mum and Dad forget it’s half term, what’s Tom going to do to keep busy over the break?!
A weeks’ worth of drawing, doodling, games, stories and activities in this fantastic new illustrated offering from bestselling author of the Tom Gates series, Liz Pichon!
Tom Gates Book 17: Spectacular School Trip
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 on the 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?
Tom Gates Book 18: Ten Tremendous Tales
A laugh-out-loud, fully illustrated collection of stories starring Tom Gates and his friends, family and foes!
Featuring:
- A delicious chicken pie
- Getting stuck in a lift with Delia
- A teacher swap at school
- Some tiny ants in tiny pants and the adventures of Wafer Boy…
Tom Gates is TREMENDOUS and so are his TALES!
Tom Gates Book 19: Random Acts of Fun
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!
Tom Gates Book 20: Happy to Help (Eventually)
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.
Washing and shrinking Delia’s clothes isn’t a good start.
And the hours spent carefully cleaning cars with Derek are ruined overnight when a storm hits Oakfield Town, causing even MORE chaos.
At this rate it’s going to take a MILLION years for Tom to get the art box of his dreams… or will it?
Tom Gates Books in Order: Summary
At the time of writing there are twenty Tom Gates books in the series. I’ll keep the post updated as and when more books are released.