If you’ve got a young reader at home, there’s a good chance they’ve already fallen in love with Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse Series.
This wildly popular series has been bringing laughter to kids everywhere, thanks to its outrageous adventures, hilarious antics, and the dynamic duo of author Andy Griffiths and illustrator Terry Denton.
Starting with The 13-Story Treehouse (or 13-Storey Treehouse if you’re Down Under), this is the perfect book for kids who love wacky stories and funny pictures—especially those reluctant readers who need a little extra encouragement.
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What’s the Treehouse Series About?
The series follows best friends Andy and his friend Terry (yes, based on the real Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton), who live in an incredible treehouse that gets bigger and crazier with every book.
The first book introduces readers to a 13-story treehouse that’s far from your average backyard structure. It’s got a shark tank, a bowling alley, and even a lemonade fountain. As the series progresses, new storeys are added, with wild features like a game room, flying cats, and even outer space adventures.
The main characters spend their time coming up with absurd inventions, dodging trouble, and battling things like sea monsters, giant bananas, and even a giant gorilla. Meanwhile, their grumpy publisher, Mr. Big Nose, keeps demanding they finish their book—which they somehow always manage by the end of the book, despite total chaos.
Why Do Kids Love It?
Here’s why the Treehouse Series has become a favorite among young readers:
- Total Slapstick Comedy: Every page is packed with very silly examples of things kids find hilarious, from burp-filled bubblegum bubbles to a bunch of monkeys running amok.
- Relatable Humor: While the series leans heavily on potty humor and absurd gags, it’s all done in good fun. It avoids derogatory humour or being a negative influence, instead providing a positive liberating experience for kids.
- Perfect for Reluctant Readers: With its short chapters, funny pictures, and white line drawings by Terry Denton, the books are ideal for readers who might find longer chapter books overwhelming. Even decently strong readers will enjoy the quick-paced and engaging style.
- Creative Genius: The treehouse itself is the epitome of a kid’s dream—imaginative, ever-growing, and filled with surprises. Each new book adds new storeys, making it feel like a fresh adventure every time.
A Popular Series for All Ages
The Treehouse Series appeals to its target audience of 8-12 year olds, especially young boys, but plenty of adults find themselves chuckling along when reading it aloud.
Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate will feel right at home in the world of Andy and Terry.
The absurd humor, combined with the relatable antics of the main characters, creates a bridge between generations. Parents often find themselves enjoying the cleverly layered jokes and the sheer creativity of the treehouse features, from the lemonade fountain to the shark tank, making it an engaging read for family storytime.
Highlights of the Series
- The first book, The 13-Story Treehouse, introduced readers to this world and immediately became one of kids’ favourite books.
- The 26-Story Treehouse, 52-Storey Treehouse, and other previous books in the series add even more outrageous features, like a game room, a Sydney Opera House made entirely of ice cream, and even a level dedicated to peaceful story lines (although it doesn’t last long!). They also feature hilarious moments with flying cats, battles with a sea monster, and a journey to outer space, keeping readers guessing and giggling at every turn.
- The latest book in the series adds yet more ridiculous fun and shows that Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s creative genius is far from running out. This new adventure includes a burp-filled bubblegum bubble, a chaotic encounter with a bunch of monkeys, and an unforgettable trip through a giant gorilla’s stomach—just the kind of wild escapades fans of the series have come to love.
Why It’s a Must-Read
The Treehouse Series has been a hit in local shops and even made the New York Times bestseller list.
It’s a perfect book for encouraging the enjoyment of reading, blending fun stories with wild illustrations to keep kids hooked. For some young readers, their favourite part might be the absurd plot twists, while others love the chaotic adventures with flying cats or battling a sea monster.
A Word on Manners and Etiquette
While the books are filled with potty humor and total slapstick, they avoid going too far at the expense of respect.
They also subtly teach values like friendship, teamwork, and creativity, which are a refreshing balance to the chaos.
There’s no focus on workplace etiquette or social counseling here, but they’re not meant to be better books with peaceful morals—they’re simply fun.
Happy Reading!
If your young reader hasn’t dived into the Treehouse Series yet, now is the time to start. Grab the whole series from local shops or libraries and watch your child’s love for books take off. It’s a great way to inspire a passion for storytelling and laughter.
So, whether it’s battling giant bananas, lounging by the lemonade fountain, or flipping through a page book filled with funny pictures, there’s something for every reader in Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s Treehouse Series. Here’s to happy, hilarious reading!
The Treehouse Series appeals to its target audience of 8-12 year olds, especially young boys, but plenty of adults find themselves chuckling along when reading it aloud. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate will feel right at home in the world of Andy and Terry.
The Series in Order:
The 13-Story Treehouse
The 26-Story Treehouse
The 39-Story Treehouse
The 52-Story Treehouse
The 65-Story Treehouse
The 78-Story Treehouse
The 91-Story Treehouse
The 104-Story Treehouse
The 117-Story Treehouse
The 130-Story Treehouse
I thought we would love these books, but there are just too many scary themes and characters for my highly sensitive ASD/ADHD child. They actually gave him really bad nightmares (the monster mermaid especially). So they are not for all children, but I think most do love them! My younger son enjoyed them more than his older brother.
I am so sorry to hear your child had a bad experience. Thanks for sharing that this may not be a good fit for children with ASD/ADHD. This information is good to know.
Thanks for sharing! I have never heard of these. My sons will love these!!
Looks like a great read! Thanks for sharing – Ash 🙂
The combination of entertaining stories and fun illustrations makes it an excellent choice for kids, especially those who might be hesitant about reading. A fantastic recommendation for parents looking to inspire a love of books in their children!
My oldest son is almost 7 years old and loves to read. I heard about these books and wondered if I should buy them. Thank you for the informative review.
I definitely want to check these great reads out for my nieces and nephews. Thank you so much for sharing this!
It sounds like a great series for kids. I will look into it for children’s gift ideas. Thanks for sharing that!