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.
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Franca 💋
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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