Where to Start Reading Anh Do's Books
Because Australian author and comedian Anh Do writes across several distinct universes, you have a few excellent options for where to begin. Your choice depends on the reader's age and preferred genre:
- For Laugh-Out-Loud Humor (Ages 6-10): Start with WeirDo (Book 1) or Hotdog (Book 1). These series are packed with hilarious illustrations, slapstick comedy, and highly relatable schoolyard scenarios.
- For Light Action & Superhero Fun (Ages 7-11): Start with From Nerd to Ninja!, the first book in the Ninja Kid series, or An Unexpected Hero, which kicks off the time-traveling Pow Pow Pig series.
- For Thrilling Outdoor Adventure (Ages 8-12+): Start with Into the Wild, the opening volume of the hit Wolf Girl series, or Skydragon, which follows a girl who can communicate with insects and control the wind.
- For Older Readers & Non-Fiction: Start with his bestselling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, which is his most famous work and tells the incredible true story of his family's escape from Vietnam to Australia.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
When reading any individual series by Anh Do, chronological order is identical to publication order. Each book in his children's franchises is clearly numbered on the cover (e.g., Book 1, Book 2, Book 3). The plots are serialized, with character development and ongoing mysteries progressing from one installment to the next. Therefore, we highly recommend reading the books in numerical order. Fortunately, because the main series (like WeirDo, Ninja Kid, and Wolf Girl) are completely independent of one another, you can start any series you like at any time without worrying about spoilers or crossovers.
The Core Children's Series
WeirDo Books
Weir Do is a kid with a weird name, a weird family, and a knack for getting into hilarious situations. Illustrated by Jules Faber, this series is perfect for reluctant readers who enjoy visual storytelling and fast-paced school comedy.
- WeirDo (2015)
- Even Weirder! (2015)
- Extra Weird! (2015)
- Super Weird! (2015)
- Totally Weird! (2015)
- Crazy Weird! (2016)
- Mega Weird! (2016)
- Really Weird! (2017)
- Spooky Weird! (2017)
- Messy Weird! (2018)
- Splashy Weird! (2018)
- Hopping Weird! (2019)
- Weirdomania! (2019)
- Tasty Weird (2021)
- Planet Weird (2021)
- Vote Weirdo (2021)
- Spinning Weird (2021)
Wolf Girl Books
This thrilling survival series follows Gwen, a young girl separated from her family in the wilderness who learns to survive with a pack of loyal dogs and wolves. Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh, it features higher stakes and more dramatic suspense than Anh Do's comedy series.
- Into the Wild (2019)
- The Great Escape (2019)
- The Secret Cave (2020)
- The Traitor (2020)
- Across the Sea (2021)
- Animal Train (2021)
- Crash Course (2022)
- Welcome to Paradise (2022)
- Sink or Swim (2023)
- The Race Is On (2023)
- Hide and Seek (2024)
Ninja Kid Books
Nelson is a nerdy, awkward kid who wakes up on his tenth birthday to discover he is the world's last ninja. Illustrated by Anton Emdin, this series balances cool gadgets, martial arts action, and plenty of laughs.
- From Nerd to Ninja! (2018)
- Flying Ninja! (2019)
- Ninja Switch! (2019)
- Amazing Ninja! (2019)
- Ninja Clones (2020)
- Ninja Giants (2020)
- Ninja Toys (2021)
- Ninja Dogs! (2021)
- Ninja Fish! (2022)
- Ninja Heroes! (2022)
Hot Dog! Books
Hotdog is a sausage dog who goes on fun, lighthearted adventures with his quirky animal friends, Kev the cat and Lizzie the lizard. Illustrated by Dan McGuiness, this series is aimed at younger readers who are just starting out with chapter books.
- Hotdog (2016)
- Party Time (2017)
- Circus Time! (2017)
- Game Time! (2018)
- Camping Time! (2018)
- Movie Time! (2019)
Skydragon Books
Amber is a girl who discovers she has the extraordinary power to command insects and control the wind, becoming the hero Skydragon. Illustrated by James Hart, this adventure series shares a similar action-oriented, slightly mature tone with Wolf Girl.
- Skydragon (2020)
- Fly Free (2021)
- Ride the Wind (2021)
- Brave the Storm (2022)
- Wave Breaker (2022)
- Rescue Flight (2023)
Rise of the Mythix Books
In a world ruled by a dark tyrant, three children discover they are the reincarnations of ancient, powerful creatures. Illustrated by Marcelo Baez, this is a fantasy-adventure series with epic worldbuilding.
- Golden Unicorn (2019)
- Mighty Minotaur (2020)
- Flight of the Griffin (2021)
- Legends Unite (2021)
- The Last Gladiator (2022)
E-Boy Books
Ethan is a computer genius who gains extraordinary control over machines after a medical procedure. Illustrated by Marcelo Baez, this series is a sci-fi adventure perfect for readers who love technology and robots.
- Lightning Strike (2020)
- Robofight (2021)
- Enter the Jungle (2021)
- A New Gemini (2022)
Pow Pow Pig Books
Pow Pow Pig and his friends in the 'Help Organisation' are sent back in time to save the world, despite not being the most skilled heroes. Illustrated by Peter Cheong, this series combines sci-fi time travel with hilarious animal antics.
- An Unexpected Hero (2021)
- Let the Games Begin (2022)
- On the High Seas (2022)
- Loch Ness Adventure (2023)
Other Series and Standalone Works
Anh Do has also created several other series and standalone picture books:
- The Champ Series: Follows a young athlete with unique abilities, starting with The Champ (2022) followed by Rock 'n' Roll (2022), illustrated by Dave Atze.
- Smarty Pup Series: Features Lily and her incredibly smart dog, starting with Friends Fur-ever (2022), illustrated by Anton Emdin.
- Picture Books: Includes The Little Refugee (2011), a children's version of his memoir co-authored with Suzanne Do, and the humorous What Do They do with all the Poo from all the Animals at the Zoo? (2016).
- Non-Fiction Memoir: The Happiest Refugee (2010), his acclaimed adult memoir outlining his family's refugee journey from Vietnam and childhood in Australia.
- Anthologies: Growing Up Asian in Australia (2008), featuring a collection of essays and stories compiled by Alice Pung, to which Anh Do contributed.
What to Know Before You Start
Anh Do's books are famous for their engaging layouts, featuring large text, bold fonts, and heavy illustrations that make reading feel dynamic and fast-paced. This format makes his series exceptionally popular among reluctant readers. While the books are released frequently, they maintain a consistent quality thanks to collaborations with talented illustrators who bring Do's scripts to life. The series do not contain cross-series crossovers, so readers are free to explore whichever concept catches their eye first.