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Books Like The Worst Witch

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

These choices retain The Worst Witch’s approachable chapters, magical school life, friendship, and sympathy for a pupil whose mistakes arrive before her confidence.

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12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

A reader who loved the lessons and rules may want another school story, while spells and creatures point toward fantasy. Keep the next book near the same age band if short chapters and page layout were important to finishing independently.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · humour and family
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Billionaire Boy
David Walliams · Chapter Book · ages 7–10 · friendship and humour
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Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World
Konnie Huq · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · humour and creativity
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Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · courage and humour
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First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · friendship and perseverance
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Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad · Chapter Book · ages 8–12 · humour and courage
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Anisha, Accidental Detective book cover
Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel
Ages 8–11
Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel
Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11. A useful choice for reading about humour, family and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2020
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Billionaire Boy book cover
Billionaire Boy
David Walliams
Ages 7–10
Billionaire Boy
David Walliams · Tony Ross
On the shelf for children aged 7 to 10: Billionaire Boy, a chapter book by David Walliams. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. It connects with friendship, humour and kindness.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of friendship and humour and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book2010
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Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World book cover
Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World
Konnie Huq
Ages 8–11
Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World
Konnie Huq
On the shelf for children aged 8 to 11: Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World, a chapter book by Konnie Huq. It connects with humour, creativity and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2019
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Fantastic Mr Fox book cover
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
First published in 1970, Fantastic Mr Fox is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include courage, humour, perseverance and family.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and perseverance and overlapping age guidance for 6–9.
Chapter Book1970
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First Term at Malory Towers book cover
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
Ages 8–11
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
For readers interested in friendship and perseverance, compare First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of friendship and perseverance and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book1946
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Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties book cover
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
Ages 8–12
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
First published in 2019, Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties is a chapter book by Humza Arshad for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include humour, courage and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 8–12.
Chapter Book2019
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Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet book cover
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Zanib Mian
Ages 7–10
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Zanib Mian
Choose Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian for children aged 7 to 10. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour, family and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book2019
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A Bear Called Paddington book cover
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond
Ages 5–8
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond · Peggy Fortnum
The Brown family meet a polite bear from Peru at Paddington Station and invite him into their home.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and overlapping age guidance for 5–8.
Chapter Book1958
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Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors book cover
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
Ages 6–9
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
First published in 2005, Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors is a chapter book by Steve Cole for children aged 6 to 9. Its themes include adventure and humour.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and overlapping age guidance for 6–9.
Chapter Book2005
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Awful End book cover
Awful End
Philip Ardagh
Ages 8–11
Awful End
Philip Ardagh · David Roberts
For readers interested in humour and adventure, compare Awful End by Philip Ardagh. It is illustrated by David Roberts. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2000
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Bill's New Frock book cover
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Ages 7–10
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Bill's New Frock, a chapter book by Anne Fine, is selected for children aged 7 to 10. Compare it with other books exploring humour, justice and self-reliance.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book1989
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Bunny vs Monkey book cover
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Ages 7–11
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Choose Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart for children aged 7 to 11. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and adventure.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and overlapping age guidance for 7–11.
Chapter Book2014
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