Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)

What do our readers think of Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the funny story, lively doodles and different fonts, and they find the school-trip adventures easy and entertaining to follow. Some children feel the book is fairly quick and simple, but they still like Tom's comic mishaps and want to read more of the series.

What does the Pageticker team say about Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)?

Liz Pichon's fifth Tom Gates adventure delivers the usual winning mix of doodles, daft plans and laugh-out-loud school trouble, with an activity trip to add extra chaos. Tom's forgetfulness, family squabbles and worries about fitting in feel familiar without becoming too serious, while the diary-style design keeps the pages lively and inviting. A great choice for children who enjoy funny, illustrated stories, especially reluctant readers who prefer their books with plenty of visual mischief.

Genres

What is Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things) about?

Tom Gates is thrilled about his class 5F activity trip, filled with exciting adventures like raft-building and encountering peculiar creatures. However, his forgetfulness nearly derails his plans, and the thought of being paired with the snoring Marcus Meldrew adds to his worries. With his family's support, including his grumpy sister Delia, Tom navigates the challenges, hoping for a fun-filled trip and perhaps a new pet awaiting him at home.

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 is Absolutely Fantastic (at some things)

Forgetfulness and responsibility: Tom's forgotten forms and muddled plans cause problems before the activity trip; what could he do to become more organised, and which methods might actually work for him?

Being part of a group: Tom worries about being placed with Marcus Meldrew and other classmates; what makes someone a good—or difficult—person to work with?

Family relationships: Delia often annoys Tom, but Tom's family still supports him; how can families show they care even when they argue or tease one another?

Adventure and new experiences: The trip includes raft-building and unusual creatures; which part would you most like to try, and what might make an unfamiliar activity exciting or frightening?

Pictures and storytelling: How do Tom's doodles, different lettering styles and diary pages change the way the story feels compared with an ordinary novel?