Pete Johnson

‘In Louis, Pete Johnson has created a boy who makes you laugh out loud.’
The Sunday Times

‘You really care about the characters and want to know how Louis’s adventures will pan out – while you laugh your socks off at the same time.’
The Book Trust

‘Pete Johnson is the unsung hero of entertaining writing, delighting both the proficient and reluctant reader.’
Ink Pellet

TOP OF THE CLASS
Pete's most popular books in schools

TRAITOR
Exciting thriller acclaimed for its anti-bullying themes. A highly popular class reader.

‘Pete Johnson’s skilfully written dialogue taking us into the story on the first page.’
The Bookseller
Book Club notes available on Traitor page.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS
Best-selling comedy about ‘parent fatigue,’ introduces Pete’s most popular character - Louis.
A highly popular class read.

‘Children who read it will chortle away, feel better about themselves and have lots of jokes to tell.’
The Sunday Times

THE GHOST DOG
Award-winning spooky tale about the power of imagination. A big favourite and great stimulus for creative writing.

‘An incredibly enjoyable book … from a very accomplished writer.’
Books for Keeps

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS
Highly topical comedy about technology and social media addiction. Already proving a favourite with book groups.

‘How to Update your Parents provides a fresh outlook on the subject … in a thoroughly entertaining way.’
Lovereading4kids

DIARY OF AN (UN)TEENAGER
Brilliantly observed comedy about becoming a teenager. A highly popular class reader, great for reluctant readers.

‘This is a very promising look at the slightly uncomfortable transition phase between childhood and adolescence. A compelling read.’
Book Trust

TRUST ME, I'M A TROUBLEMAKER
Award-winning comedy about Archie, who thinks he’s too ‘mature’ for school. All the pupils find him unbearable especially Miranda, the class trouble-maker. Widely regarded as one of Pete’s best comedies.

‘This is a cleverly crafted, fast-flowing comedy and the more subtle lessons in growing up and trying to change people won’t be lost either.’
Carousel

AVENGER
Award-winning thriller about bullying – interesting follow-up to ‘Traitor.’ A gripping, challenging read.

‘This is a powerful tool for considering the causes of inadequacy and bullying and how bullies and their victims can both face them and conquer them.’
Book Trust

MY PARENTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL
What happens when your parents ask for tips about being cool? Much-loved Louis comedy – a big hit with pupils – and adults. Yields great discussions.

‘A brilliant look at family life today. A hilarious story which will appeal to boys and girls alike.’
Parents in Touch

Book Club notes available on ‘My Parents Are out of Control’ page.

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TO
LOUIS THE LAUGH!

Eighteen years ago – February 2003 – ‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS’ was launched. It became a big comedy hit. It also got children and parents laughing and talking together. Pete was even invited on to BBC Breakfast Television to discuss his comedy hit.

The narrator is Louis the Laugh. He has only one dream, one ambition, which is to be a comedian, while of course, his parents have other ideas. And he has now become the best loved of all Pete’s characters.

He was so popular that LOUIS THE LAUGH has returned in five best-selling sequels. ‘MY PARENTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL.’ ‘MY PARENTS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY.’ ‘HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS,’ ‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS,’ AND ‘HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PARENTS INTO SUPERSTARS.’

The sales of the Louis the Laugh books have soared during lockdown – outselling all Pete’s other titles in the UK. Why does Pete think this is?

‘Just before lockdown I met a girl who said she was my biggest fan. So when the teacher asked her if it was exciting to meet me, she replied.’Yes,’ more than a bit doubtfully, before adding. ‘Who I really want to meet is Louis the Laugh.’

I wasn’t offended in the least as I know Louis has become – to many readers – a funny, and engaging friend. And I’m thrilled he has helped cheer up so many young people – especially during lockdown.’

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

AMAZON REVIEWS . . .

‘I bought ‘How To Train Your Parents’ for my nine year old girl and she’s spent the past few days with her head buried in it, snorting and chuckling away. I have heard her read a few pages to me, it s well written, very engaging and of course funny.

‘A great book and I’m sure we will be sniffing out more reads by this humorous author’.

‘How to Train Your Parents,’ is Laugh Out Loud Funny and keeps you engaged until the end. I would recommend the book to 7-12 Year olds.’

‘It is filled with jokes from the beginning until the end. This is the best comedy book Ihave ever read and I want to read the whole series.’

TOPPSTA REVIEWS . . .

‘I read this book really quickly because it is so good.’
Ron Weasley aged 8

‘I thought this book was so good.’
Suzanne aged 10

‘As a character Louis is likeable and a good friend.’
Superluckydi adult

‘This is a humorous book which reminded me a little of The Wimpy Kid series. I would recommend this book to children aged 8 and over and parents (with a sense of humour).’
Professor Snape adult

‘I like this book because it is funny and it has a lot of twists and turns. It also has lots of characters with emotion.’
Loch Scot Aged 8

BOOKS TO CHEER, INSPIRE
AND MAKE YOU LAUGH

‘WITH THE NEXT FEW MONTHS LOOKING JUST AS UNSURE AS THE LAST FEW, THEN A LITTLE ESCAPISM AND LAUGHTER ARE JUST WHAT OUR KIDS NEED . . . I THOROUGHLY RECOMMEND PETE JOHNSON’S LOUIS THE LAUGH SERIES TO KEEP THEM LAUGHING THROUGHOUT.’
Books for Tweens - How Felicity Finds

THE LOUIS THE LAUGH SERIES

‘My son could not put this book down and finds it very funny. (All I could hear was giggling) It also made for fun conversations. about what he would do to train us. Now his friend is reading it, and I am told is enjoying it just as much as he is.’
Amazon review 2020

‘I loved this book and I am glad you gave me the tips, Louis. Definitely worth a 5 star rating and for children who like funny and happy books.’
Amazon review 2020

‘My son loves this book. Kept quoting parts of it.’
Amazon review 2020

‘My 10 year old loves it. Fun and educational for both parents and children and that can’t be bad.’
Amazon review 2020

‘Fabulous, so funny, can’t put if down and have read it several times now.’
TOPPSTA review

NEW FOR 2020!
‘Profound commentary about having confidence in simply being ourselves, presented with disarming humour in a new tale about Louis the Laugh, the aspiring schoolboy comedian.’
ACHUKA

AND DON’T MISS THESE MUCH LOVED TITLES

‘Written in Pete Johnson’s accessible style yet totally different to ‘How to Train Your Parents.’ A gripping and occasionally chilling tale about children standing up to bullies. Highly topical and hard to put down. Great for adults and kids to read.’
Amazon review

‘A haunting and captivating read which will keep you hooked to the end.’
Book Trust

Click the cover to read Pete’s new article – Twenty Five Years of ‘The Ghost Dog.’

‘Finally a vampire book with a witty male lead for middle grade kids to love and laugh at. I really loved ‘The Vampire Blog.’ Pete Johnson is such an amazing author, funny, witty, scary and addictive.’
Amazon review

‘This is a cleverly crafted, fast flowing comedy and the most subtle lessons in growing up and trying to change people won’t be lost either.’
Gil Roberts, Carousel

‘This is a thoroughly goodhearted and entertaining book with lots of humour and witty dialogue. Fast and funny . . . a thoroughly enjoyable read.’
The School Librarian

‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS’ IS:
‘A GREAT BOOK TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN READING.’

‘I bought this for my nine year old girl, and she’s

spent the past few days with her head buried in it, snorting and chuckling away. I have had her read a few pages to me, it’s well-written and very engaging. And of course funny . . . if your child lacks confidence in their reading, I pretty much think they would find this an appealing read. Be prepared for laughter.

‘A great book and I’m sure we will be sniffing out more reads by this humorous author.’
Whisper Top 100 Reviewers

‘My 8 year old has read ‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’ ‘The Diary of Dennis the Menace,’ and David Walliams. So we were looking for something new to grab his attention and ‘How to Train Your Parents’ was a massive success. My son could not put this book down and found it very funny (all we could hear was giggles) and it also made for further conversations about what he would do to train us . . .’
Amazon reviewer

‘How to Train Your Parents’ is well-written and a great idea and storyline and I would recommend it for all ages, even adults . . . comedy at its peak.’
Amazon reviewer

The other ‘Louis the Laugh’ books are . . .

‘MY PARENTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL’
‘This is an awesome book. Along with the series the book is an uplifting read. Excellent book. This was the highlight of the series’
Amazon review

‘MY PARENTS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY.’
‘Pete Johnson is a genius writer, this is the best book ever. I recommend it for all ages. This is a must read. Thumb well up for this book.’
Amazon

‘HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS’
‘Loved this book. It was easy to read and a fun story. Kept me wanting more right until the end. Would love to read again and tell friends to read it. Will look for more by this author.’
Romeo Slater aged 10, Toppsta

‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS’
‘A wonderful book. Ben would definitely recommend. He found this to be fantastically funny.’
Ben S246 aged 12, Toppsta

GREAT NEW COVERS FOR LOUIS THE LAUGH IN GERMANY
On February 1st 2021, arsEdition gives the Louis the Laugh books a dynamic new look. ‘These covers are so zany and friendly and Louis looks full of fun,’ says Pete. ‘I’m thrilled with them.’
*‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS’*	*‘MY PARENTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL’*

*‘MY PARENTS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY’*	*‘HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS’*

IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN
‘HOW TO TURN 13 AND MUTATE INTO A SUPER HERO’ LAUNCHES IN GERMANY
(‘Vampire Bewitched’ in UK )

‘With a lot of humour and excitement the reader is once again in the middle of the action. The latest adventure impresses with an exciting story, horror and action as well as wonderfully bizarre and personable characters’

'The ''How to Turn 13" series makes you want more, because after each final showdown, a little door remains open for more adventures and secrets.'
Amazon, Germany.

Published in Germany on June 29th
‘HOW TO BECOME 13 AND SAVE THE WORLD.’

Published in the UK as ‘The Vampire Fighters,’ this dynamic new presentation by arsEdition has found this comedy horror series a whole new audience in Germany.

German readers say . . .

‘Markus is a great and cool guy. He has to go through a lot – the tension begins on the first page and lasts until the end.’

‘This book pleased my 11 year old daughter and we are happy to give it a reading recommendation . . . It is a lot of fun to read the story.’

‘The continuation of an extraordinary story. Captivating and wonderfully bizarre characters. Great reading pleasure.’

‘HOW TO BECOME 13 – AND NOT TURN INTO AN ANIMAL’

This eagerly anticipated title launched in Germany on January 27th. It is the sequel to the acclaimed best-seller ‘HOW TO BECOME 13 – AND SURVIVE.’

It was published in the UK as the ‘THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS.’

‘The Vampire Hunters is very exciting and I was very sad when it ended. The twist at the end is great.’
The Sun

‘The Vampire Hunters is another fantastingly written book by Pete Johnson. It is packed full of adventure, comedy, laughs, intriguing characters and a little bit of blood. This is s must read.’
Scribbler

‘I cannot recommend ‘The Vampire Hunters’ highly enough. It is an absolute delight to read – exciting, funny, a bit scary and current.’
Library Mice

‘HOW TO BECOME 13 AND SURVIVE’

‘In addition to a funny story about a half vampire the novel also scores with suspense – and romance. Suitable for boys and girls.’
Gabriela Pagenhardt von Mainberg

‘Great reading pleasure.’
Marion Meindi

‘My son has SEN and as a consequence isn’t a reader. I’m always after something that will grip him. And HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS certainly has. He thinks it’s good and very funny, even wants the rest in the series. Fait accompli.’ Latest Amazon review 30 Nov 2018

AMAZING PROMOTION FOR NEW MINDREADER TRILOGY: Hive celebrate the launch of the three MINDRREADER books by offering each title for just £4.29 (normal price £5.99) CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS is laugh out loud funny and keeps you engaged until the end. This is the best comedy book I have ever read and I want to read the whole series.’ Amazon review - Five stars

"It was a fabulous event – my best ever launch." Click here for Pete's blog about the launch of ‘MY PARENTS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY’ at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

Pete’s all-time favourite children’s book is ‘101 Dalmatians’ by Dodie Smith, so he is delighted to have his picture taken at The Spotted Dog in Flamstead.