Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly)

What do our readers think of Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly)? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children mostly find the book very funny and enjoy the doodles, silly situations, Tom’s friends and the DogZombies band. Some children feel that the story is less carefully structured than earlier books, but they still find it quick, entertaining and easy to read.

What does the Pageticker team say about Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly)?

Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) is classic Liz Pichon: a lively mix of doodles, daft disasters and wonderfully muddled school-day thinking. Tom’s adventures with DogZombies, sports day and his family are especially entertaining, making this a strong choice for children who enjoy funny diary-style stories and may prefer pictures alongside plenty of text. It is the fourth book in the series, and newcomers can enjoy it, although fans will get the most from Tom’s ongoing friendships and family chaos if they start at the beginning.

Genres

What is Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) about?

Tom Gates is back with more hilarious adventures! From the shock of seeing his sister Delia without her sunglasses to the embarrassment of his dad's new fitness craze, Tom's life is never dull. As he and his band, DogZombies, prepare for the school talent show, Tom navigates the ups and downs of school, family, and friendship in his signature doodle-filled diary.

About the author

Liz Pichon is a brilliant British author and illustrator, best known for her funny and creative Tom Gates series. Her books are full of doodles, jokes, and school adventures that lots of children enjoy. Liz loves drawing and coming up with new ideas to make reading fun for everyone!

Discussion ideas around Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly)

Genius ideas: Which of Tom’s ideas is the cleverest, and which one causes more trouble than it solves? Explain your choice.

Family embarrassment: How does Tom react to Dad’s fitness plans and Delia’s unexpected change of appearance? Why can family members be both annoying and entertaining?

Being in a band: What makes DogZombies work as a band, even when the friends do not always agree? What qualities are important in a good bandmate?

School performances: Why do talent shows and sports days make people feel excited and nervous? Describe a performance you would enjoy taking part in and why.