David Walliams - Children's Author

David Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile.

In early 2008 Walliams signed a contract with HarperCollins to publish two children's books.The debut novel, The Boy In The Dress, illustrated by Quentin Blake, was released worldwide in November 2008. It explores several of the themes of Little Britain from Walliams' own life on an emotional level, such as the camp humour of cross-dressing and effeminacy. The story recounts a neglected 12-year-old boy's search for a female role model, his friendship with the popular girl in school, and the ways in which relationships develop along gender lines.

In November 2009 came Mr Stink, again illustrated by Quentin Blake, about a 12-year-old girl who meets a tramp and helps look after him. She keeps him hidden from her family. The book consists of 26 illustrated chapters full of jokes. It is aimed at teenagers and children over 9. The book was awarded the Children's Award in the inaugural People's Book Prize in 2010.

In October 2010 he published his third book Billionaire Boy, illustrated by Tony Ross. It tells the story of Joe Spud, the richest 12-year-old in the world. Joe has everything he could ever want: his own Formula One racing car, a thousand pairs of trainers, 8 billion pounds, even an orang-utan for a butler, but there is just one thing he really needs: a friend. The book included a 'billion pound note' that was used to enter a competition to win a day as a billionaire in London.

His fourth book, 'Gangsta Granny' was released in October 2011 and again illustrated by Tony Ross. It tells the story of Ben who is bored every time he is made to stay at his grandma’s house as all she wants to do is to play board games and eat cabbage soup. But Ben finds out she was once an international jewel thief and all her life, she has been plotting to steal the crown jewels, and wants Ben to help.  Gangsta Granny was shortlisted for The Red House Children’s Book Award 2012 and for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2012.

In September 2012, Walliams released his fifth novel for children, 'Ratburger' which  won the National Book Tokens Children’s Book of the Year 2012. It tells the story of a young girl named Zoe whose life is a misery. 

Walliams took up swimming as a youth as his preferred form of exercise, because he was overweight. In 2006, after about 9 months training, he swam the English Channel for the charity Sport Relief and raised about one million pounds.

In September 2011, Walliams swam a 140-mile length of the River Thames in aid of Sport Relief. On the first day of the swim, he experienced a symptom of hypothermia, possibly due to his not wearing a wetsuit. He later encountered severe stomach problems due to the bacteria in the Thames and suffered a torn disc. He swam up to twelve hours a day for eight days and raised a further £1 million for Sport Relief.

 

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Featured Books, with extracts by David Walliams

Gangsta Granny
David Walliams
Category Winner of The Red House Children’s Book Award 2013 & Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2012.   Following in the footsteps of the great Roald Dahl, David Walliams has shown in his previous titles including Mr Stink...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 28/02/2013
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Billionaire Boy
David Walliams
Hugely entertaining, this captivating story is also thought provoking about the perils of having way too much money. Joe Spud is the richest twelve-year-old in the world; he has everything his heart desires – except happiness. As one disaster follows...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | Books for Boys | eBooks
Format: Mixed media product - Released: 01/01/2013
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The World of David Walliams
David Walliams
FOUR hilarious and moving novels from Sport Relief swim champion and bestselling, critically acclaimed author, David Walliams.
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 25/10/2012
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Ratburger
David Walliams
Winner of the National Book Tokens Children’s Book of the Year 2012   Best-selling author David Williams has come up with another cracker of a story in Ratburger. Zoe is a lovely little girl with a terrible life; she...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | Books for Boys | eBooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 19/09/2012
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Gangsta Granny
David Walliams
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2012 and for The Red House Children’s Book Award 2012.   Following in the footsteps of the great Roald Dahl, David Walliams has shown in his previous titles including Mr Stink that he...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | eBooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 27/10/2011
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Billionaire Boy
David Walliams
Shortlisted for the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award 2011 Hugely entertaining, this captivating story is also thought provoking about the perils of having way too much money. Joe Spud is the richest twelve-year-old in the world; he has everything his heart...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 09/06/2011
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Billionaire Boy
David Walliams
Shortlisted for the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award 2011 Hugely entertaining, this captivating story is also thought provoking about the perils of having way too much money. Joe Spud is the richest twelve-year-old in the world; he has everything his heart...
Featured in: 11+ readers | Book Awards | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 28/10/2010
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Mr Stink
David Walliams
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Best Book of the Decade. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010. Galaxy Children's Book Award shortlist 2010.The second original, touching, twisted, and most of all hilarious...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 27/05/2010
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Mr Stink Cd-Audio
David Walliams
The second original, touching, twisted, and most of all hilarious novel for children by David Walliams and beautifully illustrated by the one and only Quentin Blake. Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then...
Featured in: 9+ readers
Format: CD-Audio - Released: 27/05/2010
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The Boy in the Dress
David Walliams
Shortlisted for Roald Dahl's Funny Prize 2009. Touching, funny and full of insight, this tender story tells how Dennis decides that everyone does not have to be the same. Bravely, he decides to do something completely different. Taking a risk...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | Debuts of the Month | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 25/06/2009
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