The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?
Adam Wallace is a powerhouse of contemporary children's literature, known for books that prioritize humor, rhyme, and interactive fun. Because his collections span across different age groups—from picture books for toddlers to chapter books for middle-grade readers—the best starting point depends entirely on the reader's age and interests.
For Younger Readers (Ages 3 to 7)
Start with the legendary How to Catch series. The best entry point is the book that started the phenomenon: How to Catch a Leprechaun (2016). It perfectly establishes the series' signature style: rhyming text, colorful traps, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) problem-solving, and a cheeky mythical target that always stays one step ahead. If you have toddlers or very young children, start with the My First How to Catch board books, such as My First How to Catch Santa Claus, which offer simplified storylines and sturdy pages.
For Early Chapter Book Readers (Ages 6 to 10)
If your reader is transitioning to longer stories with illustrations, the best place to start is the Jackson Payne Adventures (also known as the Accidentally Awesome series), beginning with Accidentally Awesome! (2015). For readers who love wacky, laugh-out-loud humor and comic-strip styles, the Fartboy series starting with The First Sniff (2020) is a guaranteed hit.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Unlike narrative-heavy fantasy series, Adam Wallace's series do not require strict chronological reading. Almost all of his picture book series, including How to Catch and Never EVER, are episodic. You can read them in publication order, but it is completely fine to jump around based on upcoming holidays, seasons, or your child's favorite creatures.
For his chapter books, such as Jackson Payne and Pete McGee, reading in publication order is recommended to follow the minor character growth and recurring gags, though each book still functions well as a standalone story.
The How to Catch Series
This is Adam Wallace's signature series, created in collaboration with illustrator Andy Elkerton. Later entries in the series also feature co-author Alice Walstead. The books follow a group of creative kids who design elaborate, STEAM-inspired contraptions to catch elusive holiday figures and mythical creatures. They are highly recommended for classrooms and interactive bedtime reading.
Publication Order of How to Catch Books
- How to Catch a Leprechaun (2016)
- How to Catch the Tooth Fairy (2016)
- How to Catch an Elf (2016)
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny (2017)
- How to Catch a Monster (2017)
- How to Catch a Mermaid (2018)
- How to Catch a Snowman (2018)
- How to Catch a Turkey (2018)
- How to Catch a Unicorn (2019)
- How to Catch a Dinosaur (2019)
- How to Catch a Dragon (2019)
- How to Catch a Yeti (2020)
- My First How to Catch Santa Claus (2020) - Note: Part of the "My First" board book subseries for toddlers.
- How to Catch a Gingerbread Man (2021)
- My First How to Catch a Witch (2021)
- My First How to Catch the Easter Bunny (2022)
- How to Catch a Class Pet (2022)
- How to Catch a Witch (2022)
- How to Catch a Loveosaurus (2022)
Jackson Payne Adventures (Accidentally Awesome Books)
Illustrated by James Hart, this series follows the incredibly clumsy Jackson Payne. No matter what he does, Jackson ends up causing a disaster—yet, by sheer luck and hilarious twists, his blunders turn into spectacular, awesome successes. These early reader chapter books are perfect for kids who enjoy physical comedy and lighthearted school adventures.
Publication Order of Accidentally Awesome Books
- Accidentally Awesome! (2015)
- Blunderingly Brilliant (2015)
- Jackson Payne's Clumsy Christmas Spectacular! (2016)
- Disastrously Daring! (2016)
- Erratically Epic! (2017)
- Frantically Fantastic! (2018)
The Fartboy Series
What happens when a freak accident involving a vacuum cleaner and radioactive broccoli gives a kid gross superpowers? You get Martin, also known as Fartboy! With illustrations by James Hart, this series features potty humor, comic action, and high-energy fights against bizarre villains. While the broader global series spans nine volumes, the core entry books establish the hilariously smelly saga.
Core Fartboy Books
- The First Sniff (2020)
- Ready, Set, Fart! (2020)
- Enter the Spewtank (2020)
The Never EVER Series
The Never EVER books are cautionary, rhyming picture stories that teach children (in the most ridiculous way possible) what *not* to do with animals, monsters, and mythical creatures. They are highly interactive, silly, and work wonderfully as quick read-aloud books.
Never EVER Books in Order
- Never Ever Marry a Mermaid (2021)
- Never EVER Lick a Llama (2021)
- Never Ever Upset a Unicorn (2021)
- Never EVER Massage a Moose (2021)
- Never EVER Dance with a Dracula (2021)
- Never EVER Tickle a Turkey (2021)
- Never EVER Race a Reindeer (2021)
Other Noteworthy Series and Standalones
Before his global breakout hits, Adam Wallace wrote several other fun series and individual children's books that remain popular, particularly in Australia.
Pete McGee Series
An early adventure trilogy following the heroic and bizarre journeys of a young boy named Pete McGee.
- The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee (2011)
- Pete McGee Dawn of the Zombie Knights (2012)
- Pete McGee and The Master of Darkness (2013)
Mac O'Beasty
A fun, pirate-themed picture book series for younger kids.
- Mac O'Beasty (2009)
- Mac O'Beasty: Book #2 (2009)
Better Out Than In
Wallace's very first major self-published success, which focused on gross-out humor and silly rhymes that kids love.
- Better Out Than In (2007)
- Better Out Than In Number Twos (2013)
How to Draw Books
An engineer turned author-illustrator, Wallace loves encouraging children to draw. His cartooning guidebooks combine easy-to-follow instructions with rhymes to make learning art fun.
- Rhymes with Art - Learn Cartooning the Fun Way (2014)
- How to Draw a UFO Dog (2014)
- How to Draw a Skateboard Gorilla (2014)
- How to Draw a Bum Cat (2014)
- How to Draw a Treasure Map Lion (2014)
- How to Draw a Submarine Shark (2014)
- How to Draw a Truck Drivin', Dragon Tail Rhino (2014)
- How to Draw a Rooster Rabbit (2014)
- How to Draw a Balloon Kangaroo (2014)
- How to Draw a Ziggin' and Zaggin' Dragon (2014)
- How to Draw a Ping Pong Playing, Alien Giraffe (2014)
- How to Draw a Dog Bone Bull (2014)
- Rhymes with Drawing - More Cartooning the Fun Way (2015)
- Rhymes with Cartooning (2016)
- Rhymes With Sketching (2020)
- Draw Incredible Beasts NOW! (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Adam Wallace's books are designed with a specific purpose: to engage reluctant readers. If you have a child who struggles to sit through a story, Wallace's mix of high-intensity rhymes, toilet humor, and dynamic illustrations is the perfect antidote. The How to Catch series is particularly celebrated by educators for its integration of basic engineering concepts, as children are prompted to think about how they would design their own traps. Most of his books are illustrated by Andy Elkerton or James Hart, whose vibrant, cartoonish styles perfectly match the chaotic energy of the writing.