If Peter, Margaret and Henry all feel like additional members of your family at this point and your child is desperately looking for another mischievous trickster like Henry to get stuck into, you’re definitely in the right place. And finding books like Horrid Henry is exactly what this list is for.
During my latter years of teaching, one of the students in my form class had a healthy obsession with Henry. To the point where he’d carry a book with him to every class and was able to quote parts of it at any given opportunity. As an English teacher, there’s genuinely nothing more special than seeing a child get that much enjoyment from a book. Even if it is a bit silly and rude.
A lot of my colleagues really hated on books like Horrid Henry. But I always felt they’re a brilliant thing to love. Short chapters. A horrible little schemer you’re not meant to root for but completely do. Four daft stories in every book, so they can stop and start whenever. It’s a super compelling format for any reader. Not to mention the relatable annoying older brother and bossy know-it-all at school (most of us could relate to the cartoon-like characters in these books).
So here are five funny books they can move straight onto. All funny, all fast, all packed with the kind of mischief Henry would be proud of. I’ve picked every one myself and kept the reading level close, so nothing feels like a big jump.
Five books like Horrid Henry to try next
Dirty Bertie – Mud!
Mud! (Dirty Bertie, 8)
Bertie is the school’s new goalie, which would be fine if he could last five minutes without ending up covered in something.
In three short stories he faces a barrage of footballs, has to stay spotless for the school photo, and survives a properly terrifying sleepover. He is (officially) the world’s grubbiest trouble magnet.
This is the closest thing to Henry there is. Same naughtiness, same grossed-out humour, same three-quick-stories-a-book setup. If your reader loves Henry, start here.
Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire
Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire
Mr Gum is a filthy, bad-tempered old man who hates children, animals and fun, and wants nothing more than to be left alone to be horrible.
Andy Stanton‘s books have been called a cross between Roald Dahl and Monty Python, which is about right. They’re silly and the narrator chats to you like a daft uncle.
For the Henry fan who likes a bit of chaos, this is a great one.
The Worst Class in the World
The Worst Class in the World
To settle who’s the Biscuit King of 4B, half the class bake cookies to sell at break. The cookies contain cough medicine, chewing gum and, somehow, dog hair (yummy).
Then the headteacher is on the prowl and the evidence has to be eaten, fast (spoiler, it doesn’t go well).
It’s Joanna Nadin‘s whole-class version of Henry’s troublemaking, two best mates with a foolproof plan that is never, ever foolproof. British, very funny, and a nice little step up in length.
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish 01
Tom’s big brother is training to be an Evil Scientist, and his first experiment is dunking Tom’s goldfish, Frankie, into a tub of toxic green gunk. What could possibly go wrong?
Tom does the only sensible thing and zaps Frankie back to life with a battery. Frankie returns as a big fat zombie goldfish with hypnotic eyes and a serious grudge.
Mo O’Hara‘s books are funny and a bit gross, exactly like Henry. The evil-brother schemes especially will feel very familiar.
Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster!
Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster!
A Bigfoot is on the loose in Grimwood, and it’s a thieving stink monster.
Fox cub siblings Ted and Nancy and the rest of the Grimwood gang have to save their home, which means their biggest, silliest adventure yet. It’s by Nadia Shireen, so there are loads of pictures and a real comic-book energy.
Great for a Henry fan who also likes a cartoon feel and total mayhem.
A couple more worth a look
If they fancy trying something from the OG naughty schoolboy, Just William by Richmal Crompton is where Henry probably learned all his tricks from (but it reads a bit older and wordier). And George Brown, Class Clown by Nancy Krulik is built around a boy with magic burps that go off at the worst possible moment, which is about as Henry as it gets.
And if it’s more funny series you’re after, our lists of books like Tom Gates, what to read after Roald Dahl and books like David Walliams will give you some great inspiration too.
A quick word on ages
The perfect age for Henry is around six to nine, and I’ve kept this lot in roughly the same range. The Worst Class and Just William are a touch longer if your reader’s racing ahead. Honestly, pick by what makes them laugh, not by the number. I mean if I went by reading age when it came to books it would probably sit at 8 years old. When it comes to reading for pleasure (not attainment), age really doesn’t matter.
If you’ve got a six-year-old just starting out, our first chapter books for 6-year-olds list is a good place to start.
Where to find them
All five are on Little Reads, along with the rest of the Dirty Bertie and Mr Gum books and a tonne more funny ones.
No ads, ever. Just books.
One thing you should know about Little Reads is that it’s not made to teach your child to read. It’s not a phonics app and there are no reading levels to climb. It’s a home for kids who’ve already caught the bug.
So if your Henry fan finishes a book and is straight back asking what’s next, that’s exactly who we built it for. If they’re still sounding out words, something more learning-to-read focused will do more for them right now.
You can start free with a Little Reads account (100+ books), and the full 3,000+ library is £7.99 a month with a 7-day free trial if you want the lot.