This will may sound strange to you but I didn’t know that David Walliams has written a number of children’s books until I was offered the opportunity to review his latest book, The Midnight Gang. I was surprised to find out that he has already published 5 picture books and 10 novels – quite a number!
The book is intended for children aged 8 years old and up. Bella is only 6 but as very keen for me to read it with her. When the book arrived I was surprised at the size of it. It has 480 pages! I’m not sure why but I was actually expecting a short story. I was very worried that perhaps Bella wouldn’t like it because of the size or that she would get bored in the middle of it.
I couldn’t have been more wrong though. The text is big and spacious so it actually reads quicker than I expected. You can recognise David Walliams sense of humour throughout the book. This is something that caught Bella’s attention. She found it very funny and she loved learning about all the different characters, each of which had something to tell.
Because it was long, I decided to read a chapter each night to Bella. She was keen to start reading it but because it is not for her age, I ended up reading it to her. Nick and I took turns to go through the book with Bella in this way. She found it very cool funny. In this book, everything happens around midnight. It’s a time when children are usually fast asleep, except of course for the Midnight Gang. This is when their adventures are just beginning.
The Midnight Gang is set in Lord Funt Hospital, London’s finest hospital. Tom, our protagonist gets hit on the head by a cricket ball at his boarding school and wakes up at this hospital where he is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter and a naive doctor. He ends up in the children’s ward with a group of long-term residents, some in plaster, some very ill. Things go from bad to worse when he meets the wicked matron in charge of the children’s ward. But Tom is about to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime.
There are 9 main characters in this book, 5 of which are children: Tom, Amber, Robin, George and Sally; and 4 adults: Nelly, Cod, Matron and Porter. They have all been illustrated in the book so it was fun for Bella to imagine them in a clear way. Matron, for example, is the head of the children’s ward but she doesn’t like children at all. This reminds me a lot of Matilda. Or Porter, who looks quite ugly but he has a big heart because he was always making sure the children were okay.
What we liked about this book is the message that comes out from this story which is the idea of doing things for others and friendship (being there for your friends) which is really nice to see. Bella really enjoyed this book. We also listened to David’s audiobook. This was a really cool way to get Bella even more into the world of the Midnight Gang as there is no better way of listening to this story than from David himeself! He does it brilliantly!
Now that we have read this book and also discovered that there are other novels, we are off to buy more of David Walliams children’s books! You can buy this book for £5 at Amazon. See the details below:
Have you heard of David Walliams’s children’s boos? Have you bought any for your kids? Have they read The Midnight Gang? What type of books do your children like?
*Disclosure: we received a copy of The Midnight Gang thanks to HarperCollins Children’s Books through the Britmums Book Club for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. It contains an affiliate link.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
Que linda Bella ! Ojalá saque la afición a la lectura como su madrina Carla
Que linda no? Este libro es muy gracioso! 🙂
Sounds a wonderful book not ready any yet and we love Dr Seuss
Oh you should try to read this one! It is great! 🙂 x
I’ve seen him talk about this on TV a couple of times – it looks really good! We’re a while away from anything like that yet though #kcacols
It is a great book. Well Bella is only 6 so it wasn’t easy for her to read on her own but she loved the audiobook! 🙂 x
I have heard nothing but great things about David Walliams and his children books. I think once my daughter begins reading we will work our way up to his books, my niece on the other hand loves them. I love little lady’s Bambi top very cute! #KCACOLS
Yes we want to do the same! I want to buy his other books too! 🙂 x
My daughter has read quite a few of David Walliam’s books. She thinks they are very funny. I expect I will be having to get this one for a too. It is great that Bella loved the book. It must have been lovely sharing it with her.
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Yes get this one for her! She would love it! 🙂 xx
I was aware that David Walliams has written several books for children but I have not tried them with my son yet. He has just started enjoying longer books with a chapter each night so I shall look out for one. Thanks! #KCACOLS
My daughter thought it was very funny! You should get it for him! I’m sure he will enjoy it! 🙂 x
I only recently found out he had written children’s books and I was a bit sceptical when I heard he had so good know that it works with his sense of humour. My son is far too young for that kind of book yet but I will have to remember his books when he is a bit older and give them a go because I love his sense of humour! #KCACOLS
Me too! Just realised about it when I received this book to review but now I’m thinking to get all his books. 🙂 x
I can not believe that I have never come across this book.
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It is great! Not sure if you can get it in the US though x
I’d noticed that one in school bookclub – we only have The Boy in The Dress…#KCACOLS
This one is very funny! 🙂 x
I’m looking forward to when little miss starts delving into stories and books and Walliams is definitely going to be on our list. Since she’s only three we’re a good bit away from that those #kcacols
I’m sure she will enjoy them when she is older! 🙂 x
the midnight gang sounds a perfect adventure for growing kids. #kcacols
It is a lot of fun Fiona! He has a great sense of hunour! 🙂 x
This looks like a great book! Once my son is a bit older and can read chapter books on his own we’ll have to check it out. #KCACOLS
Yes you should! He will love it! 🙂 x
I’m very impressed with your daughter for not being scared off by a book so long! It’s wonderful that she enjoys reading so much at her age. #KCACOLS
I know right? It is very long! It took weeks to read it! But the text is big and come with lots of illustrations. Also, I read it to her most of the time or we put the audiobook which is fantastic! 🙂 x
My daughter is nearly 5 and loves books. I think in the next couple of years these sort of books will start to fill her shelves. I can imagine David Walliams makes a fab children’s author x
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I’ve never read any of this children’s books but have heard good things about them. My class might enjoy the picture books x #KCACOLS
David Walliams books are always an easy gift for someone on my Christmas list. He doesn’t usually show an interest in reading, but they’ve really captured his imagination, which his parents are thrilled about!
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A good read for the young children, DD managed to get hold of it from the library and finished it in one go!
Oh wow that is super quick! I’m impressed! It is a great book! 🙂 xx
this sounds wonderful and I look forward to reading longer ongoing stories to bran. I knew david walliams had written some books but didn’t realise quite how many! #KCACOLS
I like the illustrations – I’ve not read any of his books as I’m always a little wary of celebrities who become authors but maybe we’ll check this out when Snappy is older. #kcacols
My daughter loves David Walliams books! Her best friend is his god daughter so she sometimes gets a preview but I don’t think she’s read this one! #KCACOLS
I’ve been dying to read one of the David Walliams books but my son isn’t interested. He used to love reading but they get so many to bring home from school that they have to complete that I think it’s taken the fun out of it for him which is a real shame. I’m not going to push him as I think that would just make it worse but I really hope he comes back to books soon. May have to try the picture books with my youngest instead x
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I think my nephew would love these books. Will have a look for some for him as he loves reading at the minute.
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I love David Walliams and cannot wait for Ben to get to the age where he’ll be reading these books! #KCACOLS
I too didn’t realise he’d written any books. Slightly too advanced for Rory however it sound brilliant, I know it’s breaking the cardinal rule but I’m often first drawn to books by their front cover. The illustrations on this one would certainly attract my attention! #KCACOLS
Hey Franca! So funny, I didn’t have any idea who David Williams was until I saw the photo and then I recognized him as the judge from Britain’s Got Talent. I had no idea he was a writer – let alone a well published one! This sounds like a fun book! I think it would make a great read aloud for the family. We’re currently reading through My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. My 8 year old loves adventure books and action. Over the last 2 years we’ve read the Hobbit, all the Lord of the Rings books, and Treasure Island. Glad to move onto something a little lighter! Thanks for the great review and heads up on this book! Glad I found you on #KCACOLS
I’m a huge fan of David Walliams, I really should invest in some of his picture books for my two x
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I love David Walliams and I too never knew he wrote children’s books until very recently! Sounds like a brilliant book, it’s a shame mine are way too young yet #KCACOLS
I’ve read a few of David Walliams’ shorter books to my 6 year old but we’ve not read this on yet so will put it on our list to read next. We are currently reading ‘The Horse that woudn’t gallop’ by Clare Balding and I would thoroughly recommend it!!
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We really enjoy David Walliams. My kids are too young for this particular book but he has some shorter ones that are very good. #kcacols
This sounds like a really good book. I knew David Walliams wrote children’s books but I had no idea what they would be like. My little girl is still too young for this, but it’s definitely one we’ll think about in the future! #kcacols
I’ve seen that he has done several children’s books and I can believe they are funny as he is a funny guy!!
When my little ones older we will definitely be reading the whole collection! #KCACOLS
My eldest, big M loves these books. Hes read gangster granny and the demon dentist I think it was called. They are great because they are funny and engaging which is perfect for him. I love seeing that he actually takes the time to read these books as it is also a good role model for his brother who at 8 is still struggling to sit down and read for more than a nano second!
Mainy
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I’ve only just recently learnt from someone, that Walliams writes children’s books. I darent imagine what they were like after watching his adult shows so this post is a great insight. The midnight gang sounds so inventive. I’m kinda jealous I didn’t think of it myself. Sounds fab! Glad to hear your daughter enjoyed it too. #KCACOLS
sounds great! I love to read books to my son so I can try this one as well:)
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I bought this for my 9-year-old niece for Christmas and she was thrilled. Love David Walliams. Multi-talented guy. #KCACOLS
I love David Walliams, he’s very talented! Unfortunately I think his books are a little old for my little man (19m) at the moment, but it looks like a great book! #KCACOLS
Sounds like the perfect book for parent and child – one you can both enjoy and look forward to reading together 🙂 #KCACOLS
I didn’t know David Walliams had written books either! I’ve got a 6y/o daughter who loves books also, but she does get bored quite easily. I think I’ll have to look into these, they sound right up our street! #KCACOLS
Becky x
Our boys (9 and 7) love the David Walliams books and have been taken by the TV adaptations too. He’s a very engaging writer and pitches his characters in a way that definitely appeals to kids of that age. #KCACOLS
I didn’t realise David Walliams wrote children’s books either! My daughter is 8 and loves reading so we might give these a try, they sounds like they are good fun! #KCACOLS
I’ve heard so much about his books! My two are still too little but as soon as they older, David Walliams will be on my list! #KCACOLS
Mikey is a bit too old for David Walliams books now, but he still has some on his bookshelf! I think they’re great, and might make a good present for my niece’s upcoming birthday 🙂
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Aw this sounds great! I love David Walliams’ humour. We’re a bit young for this, but I’ll pass the tip on to my sister for my niece! #KCACOLS
This sounds so good. My boy is still a bit too young for it but I’m sure he’ll enjoy it when he’s a bit older. Xx #kcacols
We’re only read one David Walliams book before and that The First Hippo on the Moon which was a lovely book. This looks like it would be a good one to read to the boys though. I’m glad Bella enjoyed it too! #KCACOLS
I had heard of this book after seeing an interview with David Walliams, it sounds like a lot of fun and very appealing to kids. In a few more years i may be reading it to Emma, too! #KCACOLS
I knew he had written some books and I remember thinking because he was a celeb, they probably wouldn’t be any good. I was surprised at how the CBBC adaptations held my interest! I haven’t read any of his books but after watching the stories I’ve decided he must be really good after all. I’m going to check this out!
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Will after read this x
I like most of his work. Son’s grown out of this style but I haven’t so might sneak a look at next library visit! jo #KCACOLS