Tom Gates Books in Order

How to Read the Tom Gates Series

The hilarious world of Tom Gates, created by Liz Pichon, has captivated millions of young readers around the globe. With its diary-style layout, handwritten font, and endless margins of doodles, the series follows the school and home adventures of 10-year-old Tom Gates. For parents, teachers, and kids alike, one of the most common questions is: Do you need to read the Tom Gates books in order?

The short answer is no. The author herself, Liz Pichon, has noted that readers can pick up almost any book in the series and dive right in without feeling lost. Each book functions as an episodic diary of Tom's life at Oakfield Primary School. That being said, reading the books in publication order is highly recommended if you want to watch the characters, their relationships, and Tom's band (DogZombies) grow and evolve naturally over time.

The Official Publication Order of Tom Gates Books

Here is the complete list of all 23 main Tom Gates books, ordered by their original publication dates. Note that different library systems and bookstores occasionally disagree on numbering because of a special World Book Day release (see our notes below on Best Book Day Ever!), but this is the most practical order for following Tom's adventures:

1. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (2011) – We meet Tom, his crush Amy Porter, his annoying older sister Delia, and his bandmates in the DogZombies.
2. Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff) (2011) – Tom tries to get tickets to see his favorite band, Dude3, while dodging homework deadlines.
3. Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) (2012) – Birthday parties, dog shows, and more pranks on Delia are on the schedule.
4. Genius Ideas (Mostly) (2012) – Tom comes up with creative schemes to get DogZombies noticed by the world.
5. Best Book Day Ever! (2013) – A short, special story released for World Book Day where Tom tries to find the perfect costume.
6. Is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) (2013) – Tom aims to get a star on the school achievement chart and avoid Marcus Meldrew's gloating.
7. Extra Special Treats (not) (2013) – A freezing winter keeps Tom indoors, leading to massive creative brainstorming (and cookie eating).
8. A Tiny Bit Lucky (2014) – Tom attempts to buy a new keyboard and hopes his band gets a chance to play live.
9. Yes! No. (Maybe...) (2015) – The school project introduces tough choices for Tom, who is easily distracted by doodles.
10. Top of the Class (Nearly) (2015) – Sports day approaches, and Tom tries to avoid being at the bottom of the rankings.
11. Super Good Skills (Almost...) (2016) – Tom works on his monster card collection and other school challenges.
12. DogZombies Rule (For Now) (2016) – The band finally takes center stage as Tom tries to write the ultimate hit song.
13. Family, Friends and Furry Creatures (2017) – A school project prompts Tom to draw his family tree, highlighting his eccentric grandparents (The Wrinklies).
14. Epic Adventure (Kind of) (2017) – Tom goes on a family holiday and tries to survive the great outdoors.
15. Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (2018) – Plans for a band rehearsal collide with homework disasters and snack shortages.
16. What Monster? (2018) – Tom deals with strange noises in his house and wonders if a monster is on the loose.
17. Mega Make and Do and Stories Too! (2019) – A hybrid book featuring a collection of fun short stories alongside hands-on crafting projects.
18. Spectacular School Trip (Really.) (2019) – Oakfield Primary goes on a school excursion, leading to outdoor activities and mishaps.
19. Ten Tremendous Tales (2021) – A special collection of ten short stories exploring different characters and scenarios.
20. Random Acts of Fun (2021) – Tom attempts to spread joy and fun around the school and household, with mixed results.
21. Happy to Help (Eventually) (2022) – Tom sets out to do chores and help his parents, but pranks and doodles inevitably get in the way.
22. Five Star Stories (2023) – The class creates a school storybook, and Tom draws inspiration from odd objects around his house.
23. Book of Everything! (2024) – A scrapbook-style adventure filled with games, doodles, stories, and spaces for readers to write in.

What to Know Before You Start

The Tom Gates series is perfect for readers aged 7 to 12. Its heavy reliance on visual storytelling makes it an ideal bridge for reluctant readers who find traditional, text-dense books intimidating. Liz Pichon's background in graphic design shines through on every page, turning the act of reading into an interactive visual experience.

Key characters you'll meet along the way include:

• Delia Gates: Tom's grumpy teenage sister who always wears sunglasses and is the main target of Tom's pranks.
• Derek Fingle & Norman Watson: Tom's best friends and fellow members of their garage band, DogZombies.
• Marcus Meldrew: Tom's desk partner and school rival, who is constantly trying to get Tom into trouble.
• Mr. Fullerman: Tom's class teacher, famous for his piercing "googly eyes" that can spot a doodling student from across the room.
• Amy Porter: The smartest girl in class, who sits next to Tom and whom Tom desperately wants to impress.

Reading Order Disagreements and Companion Books

The main area of confusion in the Tom Gates reading order centers on Best Book Day Ever!. Published in 2013 as a short promotional book for World Book Day in the UK, some lists omit it entirely, viewing it as a side story. When it is excluded, Is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) is counted as Book 5, and subsequent books are numbered one digit lower. However, official lists and modern editions from Scholastic UK frequently count it in the sequence to ensure fans don't miss a single page of Tom's journals.

Additionally, books like Mega Make and Do and Stories Too! and Book of Everything! contain interactive components and craft guides. While they are fully part of the story timeline, they are more interactive than standard entries. If your reader prefers straight narrative, they can skip the craft sections and focus on the short stories contained within them.