Stephan Pastis is the creator of *Pearls Before Swine* and the *Timmy Failure* series. His brand of humor is quite distinct. If you appreciate his style, you might be curious about other authors with a similar approach.
Here is a look at some authors who offer a similar reading experience to Stephan Pastis.
Dav Pilkey is an author and illustrator known for his playful humor, quirky characters, and entertaining narratives. Fans of Stephan Pastis who enjoy that funny and irreverent storytelling style might appreciate Pilkey’s popular “Dog Man” series.
In the first book, titled “Dog Man,” Officer Knight and his loyal police dog Greg have an unusual accident, leading surgeons to combine their bodies into one heroic, crime-fighting being: Dog Man.
Packed with silly jokes and playful illustrations, the book follows Dog Man’s zany adventures as he battles villains, protects his city, and deals with the challenges of being part dog and part human.
Readers who enjoy Stephan Pastis’ humor and playful storytelling may find Jeff Kinney’s books equally enjoyable. Kinney is the author behind the hugely popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, known for its hilarious blend of words and cartoon-style illustrations.
In the first book, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” readers meet Greg Heffley, an average middle-schooler who faces daily struggles with classmates, family conflicts, and the quest for popularity.
Greg documents his experiences through journal entries filled with sarcastic humor and funny drawings, creating relatable moments of awkwardness and laughter perfect for fans of Pastis.
Readers who enjoy Stephan Pastis might also appreciate the humor and lively storytelling of Lincoln Peirce. Peirce is best known for his popular children’s series “Big Nate.”
In the book “Big Nate: In a Class by Himself,” Nate Wright wakes up determined to have a stellar day, but everything seems destined to go off-track. From detention slips to cafeteria disasters, Nate’s day keeps getting worse and worse, yet readers can’t help but root for him.
Peirce’s relatable characters and witty dialogue offer the kind of comic mishaps and laugh-out-loud moments fans of Pastis often enjoy.
Tom Angleberger is an author you might enjoy if you like Stephan Pastis’s funny and off-beat style. Angleberger is best known for blending humor, relatable situations, and quirky characters.
His book “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda” tells the story of Dwight, an odd yet endearing sixth-grader who crafts a finger puppet resembling Yoda from Star Wars.
This handmade puppet surprisingly offers wise and accurate advice, puzzling Dwight’s classmates who wonder if it might have genuine powers.
Through humorous yet thoughtful moments, the kids at McQuarrie Middle School try to uncover if Origami Yoda is real or just Dwight’s strange creation.
Fans of Pastis will appreciate Angleberger’s playful storytelling and ability to capture middle-school dynamics with wit and insight.
Readers who enjoy Stephan Pastis might also appreciate Rachel Renee Russell. Russell writes witty and fun stories that capture middle school life brilliantly, notably in her book “Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life.”
The story follows Nikki Maxwell, a creative young girl who navigates the awkwardness and embarrassing moments of middle school.
Nikki’s experiences come alive through her funny diary entries and quirky doodles, making this book highly entertaining for anyone who enjoys humor and relatable characters.
Aaron Blabey is an Australian children’s author known for his hilarious storytelling and unique illustrations. Fans of Stephan Pastis might appreciate Blabey’s style, which mixes humor and chaos in imaginative stories. One book to check out is “The Bad Guys.”
In this story, a wolf, a snake, a shark, and a piranha aim to change their scary image. They want to become heroes instead. Their attempts at good deeds often backfire and cause comical disasters that keep readers laughing from start to finish.
Andy Griffiths is an Australian author known for his hilarious and imaginative children’s books. His writing is packed with humor, witty dialogue, and quirky characters, similar to the playful style of Stephan Pastis.
In “The 13-Story Treehouse,” Andy and his illustrator friend Terry live in an incredible treehouse featuring elaborate rooms, whimsical inventions, and wild distractions at every turn.
They try to write and illustrate their next book, but a barrage of absurd situations and silly problems keeps interrupting their progress.
The book is filled with hilarious mishaps, creative humor, and entertaining illustrations that capture the fun-hearted spirit Stephan Pastis fans will definitely enjoy.
Jon Scieszka writes stories filled with humor, wit, and unexpected twists. Readers who enjoy the comedic storytelling and playful irony of Stephan Pastis will find similar enjoyment in Scieszka’s books.
In “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” Scieszka puts a clever spin on the well-known fairy tale. Told entirely from the misunderstood wolf’s perspective, the book reveals that the Big Bad Wolf might not have been the villain we’ve always thought.
The wolf claims it was all a big misunderstanding involving sneezes and a need for some sugar. Illustrated with quirky art by Lane Smith, the humorous retelling invites readers to laugh out loud and reconsider the story they once knew so well.
Mo Willems is a children’s author and illustrator known for his simple humor and expressive drawings. Readers who enjoy Stephan Pastis’ funny and quirky style might appreciate Willems’ ability to turn everyday moments into charming adventures.
A good place to start is Willems’ “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” In this book, a determined pigeon begs, pleads, and bargains with the reader for a chance at the wheel.
The pigeon’s dramatic and hilarious persistence makes the story lively and relatable, and the playful interactions between character and reader create an inviting experience.
Dan Gutman writes books filled with humor, quirky characters, and playful storytelling that fans of Stephan Pastis will likely enjoy.
In “The Homework Machine,” Gutman tells the story of four fifth-graders who have nothing in common except a shared secret: they’ve invented a computer that does their homework for them.
Soon, funny mishaps and unexpected trouble turn their lives upside-down, teaching them surprising lessons about friendship and responsibility. If you laughed at Pastis’s “Timmy Failure,” you’ll probably enjoy Gutman’s storytelling style too.
If you enjoy Stephan Pastis’ humor and playful storytelling, Barbara Park is another author worth discovering. Park’s beloved series “Junie B. Jones” introduces readers to Junie, a spirited kindergartner whose adventures and mishaps will make you laugh out loud.
In “Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus,” Junie worries endlessly about riding the bus on her first day of school. Her imagination goes wild with scenarios of bullies, meanies, and disasters.
She decides the solution is simply to avoid the bus altogether, which leads her into a funny afternoon adventure filled with unexpected twists. Barbara Park writes with vibrant language and relatable scenarios that capture the comedy of everyday childhood experiences.
Sara Pennypacker is an author you might enjoy if you’re a fan of Stephan Pastis’s humorous stories and relatable characters. Pennypacker offers clever dialogue, quirky personalities, and situations that readers can understand and connect with.
Her book “Clementine” introduces Clementine, an imaginative and spirited third-grader with a talent for getting into trouble.
When her best friend Margaret decides to cut her own hair with disastrous results, Clementine steps in to help—and things quickly become even more chaotic. Throughout the week, Clementine tries to sort out friendships, misunderstandings, and familiar childhood mishaps.
With humor and heart, this book captures the charm, honesty, and everyday adventures of being young.
Louis Sachar writes playful and funny books, often with quirky characters, absurd situations, and sharp humor. If you’re a fan of Stephan Pastis, there’s a good chance you’ll appreciate Sachar’s style too.
One of his most famous books is “Holes,” a weird and funny novel about a kid named Stanley Yelnats who is sent to a juvenile detention center called Camp Green Lake. At the camp, Stanley and the other boys have to dig holes all day, every day, supposedly to build character.
But soon Stanley realizes there’s more going on under the surface, including hidden secrets, buried treasure, and a strange family curse. Sachar’s clever writing and oddball characters make this book a fun read that fans of Pastis might really enjoy.
If you enjoy Stephan Pastis’ humor and illustrations in the “Timmy Failure” books, you might connect with James Patterson’s “Middle School” series.
Patterson teams up with various co-authors and illustrators to craft funny, relatable stories about kids dealing with school, friendships, and family.
In “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life,” we meet Rafe Khatchadorian, a kid determined to break every single rule in his school’s code of conduct. Rafe documents each daring prank, vividly illustrated with creative doodles.
His rebellious adventures lead him into trouble, laughter, and surprising self-discovery as he navigates the ups and downs of middle-school life. Fans of clever cartoons and playful storytelling similar to Pastis’ style may enjoy Rafe’s mischievous journey.
Readers who enjoy Stephan Pastis’s humorous and relatable style may appreciate Jerry Spinelli’s lively storytelling and down-to-earth characters.
Spinelli’s book “Maniac Magee” follows the adventures of Jeffrey Lionel Magee, an orphan known for his exceptional running speed and incredible feats. As Jeffrey navigates life in a divided town, he encounters friendship, prejudice, and unexpected heroism.
Spinelli combines humor, sensitivity, and an honest look at human nature to craft stories that stay with you long after you close the book.