10+ Best David Walliams Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to capture the imagination of your young one? Look no further than David Walliams books for 7-year-olds! These engaging tales are just the ticket for kids eager to dive into a world of fun, adventure, and laughter. Keep reading as we explore various lists of David Walliams books that are sure to delight any 7-year-old reader. Let’s get started and find the perfect page-turner for your little bookworm!

Fun David Walliams Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Ice Monster by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in Victorian London, this story follows a young orphan named Elsie who discovers a woolly mammoth in the basement of the Natural History Museum and embarks on a thrilling adventure to return it to its Arctic home.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor and history in a way that captivates young readers, encouraging them to imagine and learn about the past while enjoying the story's exciting twists.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love adventure and have a budding interest in history.

• Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Ben, a boy who initially finds his granny boring until he discovers she was once an international jewel thief and together they embark on a heist of their own.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a funny and touching story that teaches about family relationships and challenges stereotypes about elderly people, all while being incredibly engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humor and a bit of mischief.

• Demon Dentist by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Horror, Comedy
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around a boy named Alfie who discovers that the new dentist in town is not what she seems, leading to spooky and hilarious situations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a perfect blend of scares and laughs, making it an exciting read that also gently introduces children to overcoming fears and the importance of dental care.
  • Perfect for: Kids who like a bit of thrill mixed with comedy.

• Awful Auntie by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Stella, after waking up from a coma, must escape her awful Aunt Alberta who is scheming to cheat her out of her inheritance. The story unfolds with clever tricks and a ghostly ally.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a gripping mystery mixed with humor, encouraging problem-solving and resilience in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a good mystery and quirky characters.

• Billionaire Boy by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: Joe has everything he could ever want from his billionaire father, except a real friend. The story explores his journey to find what money can't buy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartfelt comedy that teaches valuable lessons about friendship and the true value of money, making it both entertaining and educational.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a good laugh while learning about deeper life values.

Educational David Walliams Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Drama
  • Synopsis: The story centers on a young boy named Dennis who enjoys wearing dresses and explores themes of identity and acceptance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of diversity and identity, empathy, and breaking gender stereotypes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching narrative that promotes acceptance and understanding of differences, wrapped in Walliams' characteristic humor.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are exploring their own identities or learning about acceptance and empathy.

• Mr. Stink by David Walliams, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Social Commentary
  • Synopsis: The book tells the story of Chloe, a lonely girl who befriends Mr. Stink, the local tramp, and learns about kindness and friendship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social awareness, compassion, and understanding homelessness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a poignant look at social issues, encouraging children to think about and act with kindness and humanity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories that combine humor with meaningful life lessons.

• Ratburger by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Zoe as she tries to save her pet rat from her evil stepmother and a burger man who wants to turn the rat into a burger.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, and resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an adventurous and humorous tale that teaches about the importance of caring for animals and standing up to adversity.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and enjoy tales of adventure and overcoming challenges.

• Grandpa’s Great Escape by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: The book follows a boy named Jack and his Grandpa, who was a WWII flying ace, as they attempt an adventurous escape from a nursing home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge about WWII, family bonds, and understanding aging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an exciting adventure mixed with touching moments between a boy and his grandfather, wrapped in historical context.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in history and grandparent-grandchild relationships.

Challenging David Walliams Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Slime by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: The story is set on the Isle of Mulch where a young boy named Ned discovers he has the power to make magical slime that can do anything!
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of responsibility and power through an imaginative and fantastical plot, which can be complex for younger readers to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that stimulates creativity and imagination while imparting lessons on using power wisely.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fantasy and creative stories that stretch their imagination.

• The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Humor, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of hilariously dreadful stories about the most mischievous, disgusting, and worst children imaginable.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of hyperbole and sophisticated humor in the stories provides a higher level of literary engagement and vocabulary enhancement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a delightful mix of humor and moral lessons through extreme examples, which helps in understanding behavioral consequences.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy a good laugh and can appreciate a darker twist on humor.

• The Midnight Gang by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: The story follows a group of children in a hospital who embark on magical adventures at midnight, providing joy and comfort to each other.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of illness and friendship in a setting that requires a mature understanding, all while weaving in complex adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that promotes empathy and the power of kindness, making it both touching and thrilling for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendship and adventures, and can handle gentle emotional themes.

• Bad Dad by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Drama
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of a boy named Frank whose father, once a famous banger racer, is now in jail, and together they hatch a plan to thwart a crime lord.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative involves complex relationships and moral dilemmas that require advanced comprehension and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a mix of suspense and humor while teaching about the consequences of choices and the importance of family.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for more complex stories that involve action, moral decisions, and family dynamics.

• The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Set in a dystopian future, this story follows a young prince who must reclaim his throne from dark forces and mysterious beasts lurking in Buckingham Palace.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces dystopian elements and complex plotlines involving politics and betrayal, which are more sophisticated themes for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an epic adventure that combines history with fantasy, offering a thrilling ride along with a deep dive into courage and heroism.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who enjoy detailed world-building and epic tales of adventure and bravery.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

If you're exploring the whimsical world of David Walliams with your 7-year-old, you're in for a treat! His books are not only entertaining but also great for developing young readers' skills. Here are some engaging exercises that can help enhance your child's reading habits while diving into these delightful stories.

• Create Character Maps
  • What it is: Draw a map or chart that shows the relationships between different characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps in understanding and remembering character development and interactions.
  • Tips: Use pictures and symbols to make the character map more engaging and easier to remember.

• Story Sequencing Cards
  • What it is: Make cards that summarize different parts of the story and ask your child to arrange them in order.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and the ability to recall story details in sequence.
  • Tips: Start with broad segments of the story and gradually increase the detail as your child becomes more proficient.

• Book-Themed Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Create a list of new or interesting words found in the book.
  • How it helps: Expands vocabulary and aids in understanding the story better.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to use these new words in sentences or a story of their own.

• Reading Aloud Together
  • What it is: Set aside time to read the book aloud together, switching roles between narrator and characters.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and expression, and makes reading a fun, shared experience.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to keep the reading lively and engaging.

• Question and Answer Game
  • What it is: After each chapter, come up with questions about the story and discuss the answers.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the plot and critical thinking about the story elements.
  • Tips: Keep the questions open-ended to encourage more detailed responses and discussions.

• Draw the Scene
  • What it is: Choose a favorite scene from the book and draw it.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps with visual memory of the story details.
  • Tips: Discuss the scene's details before drawing to ensure a vivid recall and representation.

• Predict the Next Chapter
  • What it is: Before starting the next chapter, have your child predict what might happen based on the story so far.
  • How it helps: Develops analytical skills and the ability to anticipate story developments.
  • Tips: Discuss why they think their prediction might happen, linking back to events or character actions from earlier in the book.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for reading. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you'll help your child build strong reading habits and a love for books that can last a lifetime. Enjoy your reading adventure with David Walliams' captivating stories!