Walliams returns with World's Worst Parents

David Walliams and Tony Ross are releasing another collection of stories, The World's Worst Parents, with HarperCollins Children's Books.

Out on 2nd July in hardback with simultaneous release in e-book and audio, the book is the fifth in the bestselling author's World's Worst series.

The publisher explained: “This summer, children get their own back as David Walliams invites his readers to meet the Worst Parents ever... Some parents are embarrassing, but they are NOTHING on this lot! Pinch your nose for Peter Pong, the dad with the stinkiest feet in the world... jump out of the way of Harriet Hurry, the fastest mum on two wheels... watch out for Monty Monopolize, the dad who takes all his kids’ toys... and, oh no, it’s Supermum! Brandishing a toilet brush and a mop, she’s out to save the world!

"With a very special introduction said to be from David’s own mum, these 10 tales of the most madcap mums and deliciously daft dads will leave you rocking with laughter.”

Walliams launched his series in 2016 with The World’s Worst Children. Two further volumes followed in 2017 and 2018, and 2019 saw the arrival of The World’s Worst Teachers, which debuted at number one in the charts and going on to sell 504,801 copies. HarperCollins says total sales of the series are now more than 2.4 million copies in the UK alone. In all, he has sold 18.65 million books for £108m through Nielsen BookScan during his writing career.

He said: “I think we all need some comedy right now, so I hope this book will make kids and their grown-ups laugh. I wrote the book during lockdown, and it was so much fun to have something silly to take my mind off of everything."

HarperCollins Children’s Books executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh added: “David Walliams’ books bring fun and laughter to families everywhere and so I’m especially delighted to be publishing his new collection, The World’s Worst Parents, this summer. Fizzing with fun and with all the hallmarks of David’s flamboyant imagination and surreal humour combined with his genius for character, these hilarious stories will make children the world over smile. With glorious colour illustrations throughout, David’s new book will be a real treat for children—and parents!—to enjoy.”