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Childish
CHILDISH
Me and Dot reckon it's just a word for being a child.
And having a crack at solving a big problem using only a really good friendship and the world's best dumplings and a thousand kilos of plasticine.
Like we're doing now.
‘Childish . . . [is] another absolutely cracking book destined to become not only a classic but award-worthy.’
Sue Warren
Me and Dot reckon it's just a word for being a child.
And having a crack at solving a big problem using only a really good friendship and the world's best dumplings and a thousand kilos of plasticine.
Like we're doing now.
‘Childish . . . [is] another absolutely cracking book destined to become not only a classic but award-worthy.’
Sue Warren
- GenresFriendshipMiddle Grade
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
About the author
Morris Gleitzman
124 books1,003 followersMorris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 5, 2025
Childish is the twenty-first stand-alone novel for young readers by Australian author, Morris Gleitzman. Eleven-year-old Arkie Lumsden has come to the city to live with his widowed Nan while his mum and dad wait for the rain that could help their farm to be sold. Might take a while: it hasn’t rained there in his lifetime...
On his very first day, he made a friend at the Chinese take away, but now Dot Cheng is lying in a hospital bed with metal brackets and rods holding her broken leg together. She was out delivering orders when her bike hit a pothole (actually a manhole cover sitting below the level of the road after it was resurfaced). If Arkie’s mum and dad were here, they’d be onto it straight away. But they’re not. And Nan’s doctor warns that she can’t be stressed out: it’s up to him.
Arkie has watched his parents in action, and he knows he needs to research for the information to back up his demands for action. He starts asking questions without delay, but he’s also starting in-person school for the first time, and no Dot to guide him through.
So many students compared to satellite school! “There must be hundreds of them. Their birthday parties must need cattle dogs to organise the crowds.” He’s a bit surprised that his campaign impresses the teachers, who are willing to make allowances when he needs to be absent. When they don’t seem to be getting anywhere, Dot has a clever idea about how to make all the AGMs (Angry Grumpy Moaners) less irritated so they will be more friendly and work together.
Gleitzman gives young readers a look at how local government and bureaucracy works, and how frustrating it can be to try to get anything done, but also that working together can achieve results. He showcases the value of persistence, and reminds us of the hardships of farming in today’s climate. He demonstrates how going viral on social media might be positive or negative. And asks the ultimate question: can plasticine save the day? Inspiring and entertaining: enjoyment guaranteed.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Penguin Random House Australia.
On his very first day, he made a friend at the Chinese take away, but now Dot Cheng is lying in a hospital bed with metal brackets and rods holding her broken leg together. She was out delivering orders when her bike hit a pothole (actually a manhole cover sitting below the level of the road after it was resurfaced). If Arkie’s mum and dad were here, they’d be onto it straight away. But they’re not. And Nan’s doctor warns that she can’t be stressed out: it’s up to him.
Arkie has watched his parents in action, and he knows he needs to research for the information to back up his demands for action. He starts asking questions without delay, but he’s also starting in-person school for the first time, and no Dot to guide him through.
So many students compared to satellite school! “There must be hundreds of them. Their birthday parties must need cattle dogs to organise the crowds.” He’s a bit surprised that his campaign impresses the teachers, who are willing to make allowances when he needs to be absent. When they don’t seem to be getting anywhere, Dot has a clever idea about how to make all the AGMs (Angry Grumpy Moaners) less irritated so they will be more friendly and work together.
Gleitzman gives young readers a look at how local government and bureaucracy works, and how frustrating it can be to try to get anything done, but also that working together can achieve results. He showcases the value of persistence, and reminds us of the hardships of farming in today’s climate. He demonstrates how going viral on social media might be positive or negative. And asks the ultimate question: can plasticine save the day? Inspiring and entertaining: enjoyment guaranteed.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Penguin Random House Australia.
October 4, 2025
11-year-old Arkie Lumsden is a country kid who moves to the city to live with his Nan, while his parents sell their farm. Arkie doesn’t have much experience with other kids or city life but quickly makes friends with Dot Chen. They bond over dumplings, potholes and their will to solve adult problems to make the world a better place. Childish is an entertaining Australian story that all ages will enjoy. Thank you to Better Reading for my ARC of Morris Gleitzman’s inspiring children’s story.
August 27, 2025
After having dental treatment, you can imagine how pleased my son was to find an advanced copy of Morris Gleitzman's Childish waiting for him at home in the letterbox.
He immediately connected with the idea that kids are the best people to fix things, joking that the book would annoy his dad! Judging by the laughs, it's safe to say the book has captured his imagination.
Gleitzman has been writing books since I was a kid! He has a real knack for celebrating what it means to be childish in the best way possible.
A big thanks to Better Reading for making my son's day. He's convinced this is "the very first copy in the world," and I'm a very appreciative Mum.
He immediately connected with the idea that kids are the best people to fix things, joking that the book would annoy his dad! Judging by the laughs, it's safe to say the book has captured his imagination.
Gleitzman has been writing books since I was a kid! He has a real knack for celebrating what it means to be childish in the best way possible.
A big thanks to Better Reading for making my son's day. He's convinced this is "the very first copy in the world," and I'm a very appreciative Mum.
December 11, 2025
Mr 9 - 3.5 stars
He enjoyed the kid’s relationship and the way they didn’t give up!!
Me - 4 stars
A great message of kids working together
He enjoyed the kid’s relationship and the way they didn’t give up!!
Me - 4 stars
A great message of kids working together
September 8, 2025
Childish is the twenty-first stand-alone novel for young readers, written and read by Australian author, Morris Gleitzman. Eleven-year-old Arkie Lumsden has come to the city to live with his widowed Nan while his mum and dad wait for the rain that could help their farm to be sold. Might take a while: it hasn’t rained there in his lifetime...
On his very first day, he made a friend at the Chinese take away, but now Dot Cheng is lying in a hospital bed with metal brackets and rods holding her broken leg together. She was out delivering orders when her bike hit a pothole (actually a manhole cover sitting below the level of the road after it was resurfaced). If Arkie’s mum and dad were here, they’d be onto it straight away. But they’re not. And Nan’s doctor warns that she can’t be stressed out: it’s up to him.
Arkie has watched his parents in action, and he knows he needs to research for the information to back up his demands for action. He starts asking questions without delay, but he’s also starting in-person school for the first time, and no Dot to guide him through.
So many students compared to satellite school! “There must be hundreds of them. Their birthday parties must need cattle dogs to organise the crowds.” He’s a bit surprised that his campaign impresses the teachers, who are willing to make allowances when he needs to be absent. When they don’t seem to be getting anywhere, Dot has a clever idea about how to make all the AGMs (Angry Grumpy Moaners) less irritated so they will be more friendly and work together.
Gleitzman gives young readers a look at how local government and bureaucracy works, and how frustrating it can be to try to get anything done, but also that working together can achieve results. He showcases the value of persistence, and reminds us of the hardships of farming in today’s climate. He demonstrates how going viral on social media might be positive or negative. And asks the ultimate question: can plasticine save the day? Inspiring and entertaining: enjoyment guaranteed.
On his very first day, he made a friend at the Chinese take away, but now Dot Cheng is lying in a hospital bed with metal brackets and rods holding her broken leg together. She was out delivering orders when her bike hit a pothole (actually a manhole cover sitting below the level of the road after it was resurfaced). If Arkie’s mum and dad were here, they’d be onto it straight away. But they’re not. And Nan’s doctor warns that she can’t be stressed out: it’s up to him.
Arkie has watched his parents in action, and he knows he needs to research for the information to back up his demands for action. He starts asking questions without delay, but he’s also starting in-person school for the first time, and no Dot to guide him through.
So many students compared to satellite school! “There must be hundreds of them. Their birthday parties must need cattle dogs to organise the crowds.” He’s a bit surprised that his campaign impresses the teachers, who are willing to make allowances when he needs to be absent. When they don’t seem to be getting anywhere, Dot has a clever idea about how to make all the AGMs (Angry Grumpy Moaners) less irritated so they will be more friendly and work together.
Gleitzman gives young readers a look at how local government and bureaucracy works, and how frustrating it can be to try to get anything done, but also that working together can achieve results. He showcases the value of persistence, and reminds us of the hardships of farming in today’s climate. He demonstrates how going viral on social media might be positive or negative. And asks the ultimate question: can plasticine save the day? Inspiring and entertaining: enjoyment guaranteed.
February 23, 2026
What a great book for kids! Trying to solve adult problems in new ways when treated like you are childish. 'G' done in my alphabet author challenge.
October 23, 2025
Arkie has only just moved to the city when he makes the best friend he has ever had. Before the city, all his schooling has been long distance satellite learning, as his parent’s farm is so remote.
School with ‘in the flesh’ classmates has been a real change, but he’s enjoying the city, its great food and living with his Nan while his parents wait to sell their farm. Waiting for them to join him is the hardest part.
His new friend Dot makes the wait easier and her family’s delicious food from their takeaway is relished by him and his Nan.
When Arkie learns that Dot has had a bike accident during her takeaway deliveries, he is keen to help. Collecting the broken bicycle reveals what caused the terrible injury to Dot’s leg, and put her in hospital. To Arkie’s country can-do-it attitude, he is perplexed as to why it happened at all? Surely someone should be fixing the obvious problem?
A story of friendship, new kid at school, potholes, plasticine and delicious Asian food.
An ‘I can fix it,’ attitude and a refusal to be fobbed off by city officials.
A country kid in the city, standing up for a friend.
Another Gleitzman gem, told in his straight-forward master-storytelling style. I loved the Aussie sayings and slang, and down-to-earth characters in school and at home with family. Social media is in the mix too, having its own impact in the character’s lives.
Childish is usually used as a derogatory term, but this novel turns that on its head. Maybe being childish is the only way to see and deal to a problem?
School with ‘in the flesh’ classmates has been a real change, but he’s enjoying the city, its great food and living with his Nan while his parents wait to sell their farm. Waiting for them to join him is the hardest part.
His new friend Dot makes the wait easier and her family’s delicious food from their takeaway is relished by him and his Nan.
When Arkie learns that Dot has had a bike accident during her takeaway deliveries, he is keen to help. Collecting the broken bicycle reveals what caused the terrible injury to Dot’s leg, and put her in hospital. To Arkie’s country can-do-it attitude, he is perplexed as to why it happened at all? Surely someone should be fixing the obvious problem?
A story of friendship, new kid at school, potholes, plasticine and delicious Asian food.
An ‘I can fix it,’ attitude and a refusal to be fobbed off by city officials.
A country kid in the city, standing up for a friend.
Another Gleitzman gem, told in his straight-forward master-storytelling style. I loved the Aussie sayings and slang, and down-to-earth characters in school and at home with family. Social media is in the mix too, having its own impact in the character’s lives.
Childish is usually used as a derogatory term, but this novel turns that on its head. Maybe being childish is the only way to see and deal to a problem?
September 13, 2025
Morris Gleitzman’s “Childish” is a heartwarming and clever tale that follows the adventures of Dot and Arkie, two determined, resourceful and creative young children, with a shared love of dumplings.
Together, they tackle the world of potholes, plasticine shortages and puzzling grown-up problems.
It was an absolute delight to return to Gleitzman’s writing and true to his signature style, this story blends warmth and humour with powerful insights. At its heart, “Childish” empowers young readers to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome challenges and make a positive impact.
“Childish” is ultimately a timely reminder that change often begins with the smallest voices.
A huge thank you to Better Reading and Penguin Books for the opportunity to preview this delightful book.
Together, they tackle the world of potholes, plasticine shortages and puzzling grown-up problems.
It was an absolute delight to return to Gleitzman’s writing and true to his signature style, this story blends warmth and humour with powerful insights. At its heart, “Childish” empowers young readers to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome challenges and make a positive impact.
“Childish” is ultimately a timely reminder that change often begins with the smallest voices.
A huge thank you to Better Reading and Penguin Books for the opportunity to preview this delightful book.
January 5, 2026
I love Morris Gleitzman’s voice which is so distinctive in his writing… a beautiful, naïve, gently humorous voice which draws the reader in.
Arkie has been newly transported into the city from the Aussie bush (hints of Crocodile Dundee) where he is living with his wise grandma and where he befriends the daughter of the local Chinese takeaway - Dot.
When Dot breaks her leg after an incident involving a renegade manhole cover, Arkie notices that all the manhole covers about town are accidents waiting to happen. He decides to do something about it and so begins a mission to persuade a whole posse of reluctant local bureaucrats that they should make the necessary changes. As a boy brought up in the no nonsense bush, he can’t believe the hoops he has to jump through to make anything happen.
An absolute joy.
Arkie has been newly transported into the city from the Aussie bush (hints of Crocodile Dundee) where he is living with his wise grandma and where he befriends the daughter of the local Chinese takeaway - Dot.
When Dot breaks her leg after an incident involving a renegade manhole cover, Arkie notices that all the manhole covers about town are accidents waiting to happen. He decides to do something about it and so begins a mission to persuade a whole posse of reluctant local bureaucrats that they should make the necessary changes. As a boy brought up in the no nonsense bush, he can’t believe the hoops he has to jump through to make anything happen.
An absolute joy.
August 25, 2025
Childish is Gleitzman at his best. It is full of humour, mischief and imagination, but underneath the laughter, there is real heart and wisdom. Arkie and Dot are delightful, using dumplings and plasticine to take on problems far bigger than themselves, and through them, Gleitzman reminds us how powerful friendship and creativity can be. What struck me most is the way he elevates the idea of being childish, showing it as a strength rather than a weakness. His writing always makes me laugh, makes me care, and makes me think. This book did all three in true Gleitzman style, which is exactly why I love reading him.
September 2, 2025
a great book for young and old with great wisdom in them to remind us and funny bits
Thanks better reading
Thanks better reading
September 21, 2025
This was a cute story about adults who are acting like kids and kids who show them how they should behave who get everyone to work together to help fix the problem
April 20, 2026
Year 5/6 Reader's Cup 2026
Similar to Tweet, but liked this better.
Loved the Chinese food (and culture), but it made me hungry. 😋
Finished in an hour!!
Similar to Tweet, but liked this better.
Loved the Chinese food (and culture), but it made me hungry. 😋
Finished in an hour!!
October 27, 2025
This is a book about a kid from the country moving to the city and deciding potholes need to be dealt with after his new friend gets hurt riding into one. It’s full of heart and community and earnest belief in the best of people. There is messaging about politics and bureaucracy and dangers of social media thrown in there as well, but mostly it’s about hope and trying to make the world a better place.
Reread 25 November 20205
I read this less than a month ago, but I couldn’t pass up the audio version and the chance to listen to the author narrate his own work. It’s just a little extra fun hearing which parts they emphasise and how they play their characters, and this was no exception.
It was just as fun the second time around and I think I liked Arkie even more this go. He’s just so full of heart and makes this such a unique read.
Reread 25 November 20205
I read this less than a month ago, but I couldn’t pass up the audio version and the chance to listen to the author narrate his own work. It’s just a little extra fun hearing which parts they emphasise and how they play their characters, and this was no exception.
It was just as fun the second time around and I think I liked Arkie even more this go. He’s just so full of heart and makes this such a unique read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews