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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.
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PETE’S LATEST BLOG
DEFENDING WINNIE THE POOH
AGAINST PHILIP PULLMAN |
 I like to think I’m a fairly tolerant person (lazy might be a better word) but just occasionally something happens which impels me to speak up. Don’t worry, I’m not burbling on about Brexit. I want to talk about something much more important – Winnie the Pooh.
Out of a clear blue sky comes a stinging attack on ‘the bear of very little brain,’ by the distinguished writer Philip Pullman. Apparently the Pooh stories, ‘peddle sickly nostalgia for childhood.’ Pooh is not alone in this grievous wrong-doing. E. Nesbit’s ‘The Railway Children,’ and Kenneth Graham’s ‘The Wind in the Willows,’ also features on the charge sheet. (‘That Squad,’ he calls them)
Let me freely admit I loved Winnie the Pooh stories from the first time they were read to me, right through to well, now. But I must also admit I may not be made of the same stern stuff as Philip Pullman. He is clearly a man of steel where children’s books are concerned, tough and unforgiving about any which ‘fail to portray adolescence as a preparation for adulthood.’
Here I must admit a personal failing – all these years I have been so busy laughing and generally enjoying myself as Pooh and friends try to trap a Heffalump, look for the North Pole and play Poohsticks. I haven’t once considered whether these books were also filling me with a moral purpose.
 Hardly a day goes by when I don’t hear one of the characters from the Pooh stories mentioned. So very recently I heard Philip Hammond compared to Eeyore, surely one of the great comic characters (Eeyore, I mean, not Philip Hammond … I don’t know though) And a friend only yesterday  described her boss as exactly like Tigger. She didn’t need to say another word. Straightaway I could picture her boss bouncing around full of supreme self-confidence (‘Tiggers can do everything.’)
To have created characters which have lived so vividly for ninety years they have become archetypes – isn’t that an achievement? But it doesn’t help us with this demand of Philip Pullman – that children’s books must move the reader on from childhood. Except – there is that poignant last chapter of ‘The House at Pooh Corner.
Remember when we find out (or Owl does) that Christopher Robin is leaving the Forest in the morning to BE EDUCATED into ‘how you make a suction pump and what comes from Brazil.’ And Christopher Robin tells Pooh that although what he likes doing best in the world is Nothing, from now on he is not going to be doing Nothing anymore, Isn’t this a sign that he was leaving childhood behind and Pooh was moving into the shadows?
 What a relief! I’ve found a way to justify reading Winnie the Pooh even in these austere times. Of course the book does end with the words, ‘It wasn’t really Goodbye because the Forest will always be there … and everybody who is Friendly with Bears can find it.’ So we’ve moved on from childhood and yet a part of us is forever captured by those days. ‘But children want to grow up,’ barks Philip Pullman. And he’s right – sometimes they do. And wrong – sometimes they don’t. Well that’s my experience. Certainly I was very torn (still am) But Mr Pullman would probably say I’ve spent too much time in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Anyway, I believe that the Winnie the Pooh stories – created in affectionate partnership and presented with immense skill and sympathy by E. H. Shepherd – retain a secure place in children’s literature.
Did I mention they are still very, very funny?
I did. Well then I think I’ve said everything. |
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IN THE NEWS: ‘THE GHOST DOG’ |
 The Stockton Children’s Book of the Year Award is a popular prize and a high profile literacy event for children.
Twenty years ago the first book ever to win this coveted award was ‘THE GHOST DOG.’ Pete says, ‘I have vivid memories of the first Stockton Children’s Book of the Year Award. It was a super, dynamic day, spent with some highly enthusiastic pupils – and then chatting with the other short-listed authors at the ceremony, including Anne Fine. Finally came the exciting news that ‘THE GHOST DOG’ had won. My first ever prize too…’
Now twenty years later Pete will be returning to Stockton on Saturday on Saturday 24th March 2018 for a special day to celebrate all the fantastic winners – and the thousands of children who have been involved with this award.
Pete is not only the first author to win, but also the only person to win twice. The second time, with another horror tale, ‘THE CREEPER.’
‘THE GHOST DOG’ says Pete, ‘is now one of my best-loved books. I know many schools use it as a trigger for creative writing, especially around Halloween. But its success really began at the Stockton Children’s Book of the Year Award. So it will be exciting and wonderfully nostalgic returning for the Special Celebrations next March.’ |
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SPECIAL ‘LOUIS THE LAUGH’ PROMOTION
BUY ALL FIVE LOUIS BOOKS FOR £24.99.
(Pete Johnson Parents Collection 5 Book Bundles)
Click here for more details |
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‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS’
LAUNCHES IN GERMANY
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Last year ‘HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS’ made so many pupils laugh, in Germany, that leading German publisher arsEdition announced it was one of their best sellers.
So hopes are high for the launch of the latest Louis The Laugh book, ‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS’ in Germany. Pete says, ‘The new German cover is brilliant. And I am thrilled that all five Louis the Laugh books are now available in Germany in these highly collectable, hard-back editions from arsEdition.’ |
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‘NON STOP LAUGHS
With LOUIS THE LAUGH
in HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS.’ |
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‘This is a very funny book. We would definitely want to read the other Louis books in the series.’
Amy Wiltshire, adult
‘A wonderful book – would definitely recommend . . . Fantastic Fun.’
Ben (aged 12)
‘This was a brilliant book, a hilarious book. We especially liked the ending, because it was so satisfying.’
Reebs
‘Very funny I laughed loads of times, the book is written like a diary which is nice to read. I liked this book.’
Ewanm (aged 9)
Click here …. to read more Toppsta Reviews of
‘How to Fool your Parents.’
‘Non-stop laughs with Louis the laugh in ‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS,’ packed with jokes and funny observations on contemporary Teen Life. This is super readable.’
Andrea Reece.LoveReading4kids
Click here … to read the full review on LoveReading4kids
‘We were laughing almost right away, Louis is such a fun character and the end is just perfect.’
Book Loving Mum. Amazon review
‘I very much enjoyed reading HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS. As ever, the friendships and cheery optimism (even in times of adversity) feel very refreshing and there are a great number of situations which are likely to resonate with young readers . . . The humour here is far more lasting and higher on impact than so much of the derivative toilet humour . . .’
Jake Hope – Leading Children’s and teen reviewer |
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Click here . . . to read a laughter-filled, blood-soaked extract from:
‘HOW TO FOOL YOUR PARENTS’ |
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Click here to read Pete's answers to your questions about Louis, My Parents Are Driving Me Crazy, and what exciting thing happened when he was cleaning his teeth! |
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"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. |
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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.
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