Andy Griffiths Books in Order

Where to Start with Andy Griffiths

For new readers diving into the chaotic, laugh-out-loud world of Andy Griffiths, the best starting point is unquestionably The 13-Story Treehouse. Created alongside his long-time creative partner and illustrator Terry Denton, this book introduces the core themes of Andy's work: meta-fictional humor, rapid-fire pacing, and a perfect blend of illustrations and text that appeals to both avid and reluctant readers. Starting here allows you to experience the literal and narrative growth of the treehouse as it gains 13 new levels in each subsequent book.

If you prefer episodic short stories focused on practical jokes and schoolyard mischief, Just Tricking! (the first book in the Just! series) is another excellent starting point. For readers who love absurd, epic sci-fi comedy and toilet humor, the notorious The Day My Bum Went Psycho! serves as a standalone entry point to his earlier, wilder trilogy.

The Treehouse Series Reading Order

The Treehouse series is Griffiths' most famous work. It follows fictionalized versions of Andy and Terry living in an ever-growing treehouse, writing books for their publisher, Mr. Big Nose. Because the treehouse expands by 13 storeys with every book, this series must be read in publication order to follow the running jokes and character introductions.

Main Treehouse Books in Order:

1. The 13-Story Treehouse (2013)
2. The 26-Story Treehouse (2014)
3. The 39-Story Treehouse (2015)
4. The 52-Story Treehouse (2016)
5. The 65-Storey Treehouse (2016) - Note: Also published with the subtitle 'Time Travel Trouble!' in 2015 depending on the region.
6. The 78-Story Treehouse (2016)
7. The 91-Story Treehouse (2017)
8. The 104-Story Treehouse (2018)
9. The 117-Story Treehouse (2019)
10. The 130-Story Treehouse (2020)
11. The 143-Storey Treehouse (2021)
12. The 156-Story Treehouse: Holiday Havoc! (2023)
13. The 169-Storey Treehouse: Monkeys, Mirrors, Mayhem! (2023) - Note: Also published in some markets as 'Doppelganger Doom!' in 2024. This book marks the official finale of the Treehouse series.

Treehouse Companion & Fun Books:

Alongside the main novels, Griffiths and Denton published activity books, joke books, and spin-off stories. These can be read in any order, but they are best enjoyed after you have read at least the first few main entries to understand the characters:

• The Treehouse Fun Book (2016)
• The Treehouse Fun Book 2 (2017)
• Terry's Dumb Dot Story (2018) - A special short world book day story that fits nicely around the time of the 104-Story Treehouse.
• The Treehouse Joke Book (2020)
• The Treehouse Joke Book 2 (2021)
• Ten Unlucky Pirates (2021) - A mini-book adventure.
• Tales from the Treehouse: Too Silly to Be Told . . . Until NOW! (2022) - A collection of origin stories and background lore.

The Just! Series Reading Order

The Just! books follow the annoying, crazy, and disgusting adventures of a young boy named Andy who is constantly trying to pull off pranks or escape trouble. While these are collections of standalone short stories, reading them in publication order lets you see how Andy's mischief escalates.

1. Just Tricking! (1999) - Also published under titles like 'Just Joking!' or 'Just Kidding!' in international markets.
2. Just Annoying! (2001)
3. Just Kidding! (2001)
4. Just Crazy! (2001)
5. Just Stupid! (2001)
6. Just Disgusting! (2002)
7. Just Joking! (2003)
8. Just Wacky! (2004)
9. Just Shocking! (2007)
10. Just Macbeth! (2009) - A comedic play adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, co-written with Terry Denton.
11. Just Doomed! (2012)

The Bum / Butt Trilogy

This series is famous for its regional localization. In Australia, it is known as the 'Bum' series, whereas in the US and other countries, it was renamed the 'Butt' series. The core trilogy is a continuous narrative and should be read chronologically.

1. The Day My Butt Went Psycho! / The Day My Bum Went Psycho! (2001)
2. Zombie Butts From Uranus! / Zombie Butts from Uranus! (2003)
3. Butt Wars: The Final Conflict / Bumageddon (2005)

Additionally, Griffiths released a companion guide to the prehistoric fauna of this world, titled What Buttosaur is That? / What Bumosaur is That? in 2007, which can be read at any point after the first book.

Other Series & Notable Collections

The Bad Book Series

These collections of dark, rhyming, and highly illustrated cautionary tales are designed to make readers laugh at the absolute worst behavior. They can be read in any order:

• The Bad Book (2004)
• Killer Koalas from Outer Space (2011)
• The Very Bad Book (2014)

Schooling Around! Series

Set at Northwest Southeast Central School, this series follows the bizarre events surrounding Henry McThrottle and his classmates. These should be read in order:

1. Treasure Fever! (2008)
2. Pencil of Doom! (2008)
3. Mascot Madness! (2009)
4. Robot Attack! / Robot Riot! (2009)

The 'Help!' Short Story Collections

These are collections of humorous and bizarre tales that are perfect for quick reading sessions:

• Help! I'm Being Chased by a Giant Slug (2009)
• Wish You Weren't Here! / Help! I'm Trapped in My Bestfriend's Nose (2009)
• Help! My Parents Think I'm a Robot! (2010)
• Help! I've Swallowed a Spider (2011)
• Help! There's a Cockroach in My Underpants (2020)

What to Know Before You Start

One of the key things to understand before reading Andy Griffiths' books is the impact of regional formatting and localization. Due to differences in spelling and slang between Australia (his home country), the United States, and the United Kingdom, many of his books have alternate titles. For example, Just Tricking! is also known as Just Kidding!, and the Bum trilogy is the Butt series in North America. Keep this in mind to avoid purchasing the same book twice under different titles.

Additionally, while the Treehouse series concluded in 2023 with The 169-Storey Treehouse, Griffiths has moved on to a new series called Adventures Unlimited (commencing with You & Me and the Land of Lost Things in 2024/2025). This new series features illustrations by Bill Hope and uses a unique interactive narrator format. It acts as a spiritual successor to the visual and comedic style of the Treehouse books, but introduces a completely new universe.