Oscar has just finished Tom Gates: Pesky Pets and Parties by Liz Pichon — and it’s another very confident 10/10 from him.

If you’ve got a child who loves funny books, short chapters and slightly chaotic school life energy, this one absolutely delivers.

What Is Pesky Pets and Parties About?

When I asked Oscar to sum it up, he said:

“Tom Gates books are generally about a lot of things happening in one book!”

And honestly… he’s not wrong.

In this story:

• Tom and his band (DogZombies) are preparing for an end-of-term party

• They need capes (which causes some drama)

• There’s a slightly awkward “you owe me” situation

• And there’s an absolutely mortifying birthday party mix-up after a dog eats an invitation

Which results in Tom turning up to a party a week early in an embarrassing outfit.

Classic Tom Gates chaos.

The Funniest Moment

It was hard for Oscar to pick just one moment, but the winner was this:

When Rooster goes crazy after spotting a squirrel and drags Tom, his best friend and his mum through muddy puddles — leaving them completely drenched.

This book definitely leans into physical comedy and everyday disasters — the kind children find absolutely hilarious.

Favourite Character

“It’s gotta be Tom because he’s hilarious. He’s quite relatable.”

I think that relatability is exactly why this series works so well. Tom isn’t a superhero. He’s not solving epic mysteries.

He’s just muddling through school, friendships, embarrassing moments and band drama — and children really see themselves in that.

Reading Level & Age Suitability

Oscar read this one completely independently and described it as:

“Very easy to read. It’s a shortish book.”

He recommends it for:

“6 plus as it’s easy to follow and read.”

For UK parents, I’d say this is ideal for:

• Year 2–5 readers

• Children building reading confidence

• Reluctant readers who prefer humour and illustrations

The shorter chapters, doodle-style illustrations and diary format make it feel accessible rather than overwhelming.

Is Pesky Pets and Parties Good for Reluctant Readers?

Yes — absolutely.

The Tom Gates books are brilliant for:

• Children who don’t love long blocks of text

• Readers who prefer funny, fast-paced stories

• Kids who enjoy illustrations alongside text

The layout makes it feel achievable — which is often the key to building reading confidence.

Was There Anything He Didn’t Like?

“No, I loved it all.”

(Short and sweet.)

Final Score

⭐️ 10/10

And possibly the best extra answer of the entire review:

If he could add a pesky pet to the story?

“A tortoise that has run away and they’re confused how it’s run away as tortoises are supposed to be slow. It was the master of escaping!”

I genuinely think Liz Pichon should consider this plotline.

Final Thoughts From Me

Tom Gates books are such a brilliant contrast to the heavier fantasy series we read together. They’re lighter, sillier and perfect for independent reading.

And I love that Oscar still reads big immersive fantasies with me at bedtime — but can also confidently pick up something like this and fly through it on his own.

Different books for different moods.

And sometimes, you just need a runaway tortoise.