# Andy Griffiths (author)

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Australian children's writer (born 1961)

Not to be confused with the Australian small-business writer [Andrew Griffiths](/source/Andrew_Griffiths_(author)), or American actor [Andy Griffith](/source/Andy_Griffith).

Andy Griffiths Griffiths at the 2019 Texas Book Festival Born Andy Griffiths (1961-09-03) 3 September 1961 (age 64) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Occupation Author Genre Humour, children’s fiction Notable awards Australian Children's Laureate, 2026–2027 Spouse Jill Griffiths Website www.andygriffiths.com.au

**Andy Griffiths** (born 3 September 1961) is an Australian children's author.

His books are published all over the world and include the *[Treehouse](/source/The_13-Story_Treehouse)* series, which has been adapted into several stage plays.[1][2]

He is well known for working with [Terry Denton](/source/Terry_Denton).[3] He is also notable for his *[Just!](/source/Just!)* series, which was adapted into an animated television series called *[What's with Andy?](/source/What's_with_Andy%3F)*, his novel *[The Day My Bum Went Psycho](/source/The_Day_My_Bum_Went_Psycho)*, [which was also adapted into a television series](/source/The_Day_My_Butt_Went_Psycho!).[4]

His latest series, featuring YOU (the reader) and ME (the narrator) is illustrated by Bill Hope.

Griffiths was appointed the [Australian Children's Laureate](/source/Australian_Children's_Laureate) for 2026–2027. In the role he will travel around Australia and promote reading. His motto is "Reading is an Adventure".[5]

## Early life

Andy was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He attended Pascoe Vale Primary School, Eastmont Primary School and later, [Yarra Valley Grammar School](/source/Yarra_Valley_Grammar_School).

Inspired by his love of reading he wrote and drew short stories and cartoons for his family and friends. In the fifth grade he purchased a typewriter at a second-hand stall at school and created his own humour magazine called ‘Popcorn’, which he sold for three cents a copy.[6]

In high school he began writing for the school's magazine and, inspired by punk/new wave music, wrote satirical songs and formed a band with his friends.[7]

## Career

After graduating high school in 1979, he attended [Monash University](/source/Monash_University) where he completed a BA with honours in English Literature, while at the same time gaining writing and performing experience as the front man for a number of experimental bands in Melbourne’s vibrant alternative music scene centred around the [Crystal Ballroom.](/source/Crystal_Ballroom_(Melbourne))[8]

After completing a Diploma of Education at Rusden Teachers College (now [Deakin University](/source/Deakin_University)) in 1987, Andy became a high school teacher.

It was during this time as a teacher that Andy began to write and self-publish collections of outlandish stories and cartoons in an attempt to inspire his students to embrace the fun and limitless possibilities of creative reading and writing.[9]

He eventually took leave from his job in 1991 and enrolled in a full-time Diploma of Professional Writing at Deakin University. It was during this period that he met and formed a partnership with like-minded illustrator Terry Denton.[10]

## Advocacy

Andy is the Australian Children’s Laureate 2026–2027.[11] He is an ambassador for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation[12] and the Pyjama Foundation[13], and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2015 to honour his outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.[14]

## Books

### The *JUST!* Series

Title Year Notes Just Tricking! 1997 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2002 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) First Most Popular 2001, Territory Kids’ Book of the Year 2005 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Hall of Fame 2004 Just Annoying! 1998 CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Notable Book 1999 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 1999 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Younger Readers 1999 Just Stupid! 1999 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2000 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Senior Readers 1999 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Most Popular 2002 Just Crazy! 2000 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner CYBER (Children’s Yearly Best Ever Reads) Winner Younger Readers 2000, 2001, 2002 Younger Readers 2002, 2006 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2001 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2001 Just Disgusting! 2002 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2004 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Older Readers 2003 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2003 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Most Popular Book 2003 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2003 Just Shocking 2007 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2008 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Younger Readers 2008 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2008 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Winner Younger Readers 2008 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2008 Just Macbeth! 2009 Helpmann Awards Nominee: Best Australian Work 2009 Helpmann Awards Nominee: Best Presentation for Children 2009 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlist: Children’s Fiction 2010 Just Doomed! 2012

### The *Treehouse* Series

Title Year Notes The 13-Storey Treehouse 2011 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Older Children 2012 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) 2012 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Fiction for Older Readers 2012 Sainsburys Children’ Book Award 2015 (UK) Lancashire Fantastic Book Award 2016 (UK) Coventry Inspiration Award 2016 (UK) WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2012 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) 2012 The 26-Storey Treehouse 2012 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Older Children 2013 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Older Readers 2013 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Older Readers 2013 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2013 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2013 The 39-Storey Treehouse 2013 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Older Children 2014 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Older Readers 2014 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2014 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice Awards) Best Fiction for Older Readers 2014 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2014 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2014 The 52-Storey Treehouse 2014 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year 2015 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Younger Children 2015 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2015 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2015 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2015 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2015 The 65-Storey Treehouse 2015 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Younger Children 2016 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2016 CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Notable Book for Younger Readers 2016 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2016 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2016 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2016 The 78-Storey Treehouse 2016 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Younger Children 2017 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Audiobook of the Year 2017 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2017 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2017 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2017 The 91-Storey Treehouse 2017 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Audiobook of the Year 2018 BILBY (Books I Loved Best Yearly) Winner Older Readers 2018 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2018 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers reviews 2018 The 104-Storey Treehouse 2018 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Younger Children 2019 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2019 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2019 The 117-Storey Treehouse 2019 ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) Book of the Year for Younger Children 2020 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2020 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2020 The 130-Storey Treehouse 2020 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2021 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2021 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2021 The 143-Storey Treehouse 2021 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2022 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Winner Older Readers 2022 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2022 The 156-Storey Treehouse 2022 The 169-Storey Treehouse 2023 Treehouse Extras Treehouse Tales: 13 tales too silly to be told until now 2022 Who’s Who and What’s Where in the Treehouse 2023 The Treehouse Joke Book 2019 The Treehouse Joke Book 2 2021 The Treehouse Fun Book 2016 The Treehouse Fun Book 2 2017 The Treehouse Fun Book 3 2018 The Treehouse Bumper Fun Book 2021 Little Treehouse Books: Barky the Barking Dog 2015 Little Treehouse Books: Ten Unlucky Pirates 2015 The 13-Storey Treehouse full-colour anniversary edition 2021 The 26-Storey Treehouse full-colour edition 2023 The 39-Storey Treehouse full-colour edition 2024 The 52-Storey Treehouse full-colour edition 2025

### *YOU & ME* Series

Title Year Notes YOU & ME and the Land of Lost Things 2024 REAL Awards 2026 Fictions for Younger Readers shortlist YOU & ME and the Peanut Butter Beast 2025 YOU & ME and the Gigantic Knucklehead 2026

### The *Bum* Trilogy

Title Year Notes The Day my Bum went Psycho 2001 Bookseller’s Choice Award Shortlisted Book of the Year 2001 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Older Readers 2002 YARA (Young Australian Readers Award) Older Readers Award 2001 Zombie Bums from Uranus 2003 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Older Readers 2007 Bumageddon: The final pongflict 2005

### Early readers

Title Year Notes The Cat on the Mat is Flat 2006 BILBY (Books I loved Best Yearly) Winner Younger Readers 2007 CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Shortlisted Book of the Year Younger Readers 2007 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Younger Readers 2007 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2007 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Most popular Younger Readers 2007 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2007 The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow 2006 COOL (Canberra’s Own Outstanding List) Winner Younger Readers 2010 KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2010 KROC (Kids Reading Oz Choice) Most popular Younger Readers 2010 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Winner Younger Readers 2010

### NON-Information Books

Title Year What Body Part is That? 2011 What Bumosaur is That? 2007

### *Schooling Around* Series

Title Year Notes Treasure Fever 2008 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Hall of Fame 2011 Pencil of Doom 2008 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Hall of Fame 2011 Mascot Madness 2009 WAYBRA (West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award) Winner Younger Readers 2010 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Hall of Fame 2011 Robot Riot 2009 YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards) Hall of Fame 2011

### Activity Books

Title Year LET'S GO! Stories to Write, Stories to Draw, Stories to Read, Adventures Galore 2026 Once upon a Slime: 45 ways to get writing … fast! 2013

## TV & Theatre adaptations

Year Show title Producer No. of seasons 2001–2007 What’s With Andy? CinéGroupe 3 2013–2015 The Day My Butt Went Psycho Nelvana, Studio Moshi & Brain Bender Pty Ltd 2

**Theatre**

- *[Just Macbeth!](/source/Just_Macbeth!)* (2008) Bell Shakespeare Company (2008–2010)

- The 13-Storey Treehouse CDP Theatre Company

- The 26-Storey Treehouse CDP Theatre Company

- The 52-Storey Treehouse CDP Theatre Company

- The 78-Storey Treehouse CDP Theatre Company

- The 91-Storey Treehouse CDP Theatre Company

- YOU & ME and the Land of Lost Things CDP Theatre Company

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Croll, Vanessa (29 July 2020). ["Coles announces world-first Little Treehouse collectables"](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/coles-announces-worldfirst-little-treehouse-collectables/news-story/82f5fd3ca4258e13b879b0b7a88b4140). *The Australian*. Retrieved 29 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Woodhead, Cameron (29 July 2020). ["Rollicking slapstick as reluctant babysitters face sharks, whirlpool"](https://www.smh.com.au/culture/theatre/rollicking-slapstick-as-reluctant-babysitters-face-sharks-whirlpool-20191231-p53ny4.html). *Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 29 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Anarchy_3-0)** Blau, Annika (16 September 2018). ["Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton are putting the 'anarchy' back into childhood"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-16/andy-griffiths-and-terry-denton-on-dangerous-kids-books/10248540). *Australian Broadcasting Corporation*. Retrieved 29 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Ashby, Emily (2015). ["The Day My Butt Went Psycho"](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/the-day-my-butt-went-psycho). *Common Sense Media*. Retrieved 29 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Griffiths announced as Australian Children's Laureate"](https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2026/02/11/323741/griffiths-announced-as-childrens-laureate/). Books+Publishing. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Stuff"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/82840254/andy-griffiths-adds-more-layers-to-his-beloved-treehouse). *www.stuff.co.nz*. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Andy Griffiths: from crafting outlandish lyrics to writing 'funny stuff for kids'"](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sundayextra/andy-griffiths-on-writing-outlandish-lyrics-funny-stuff-for-kids/6865800). *ABC listen*. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Krauth, Kirsten (9 April 2020). ["Nick Cave, Andy Griffiths and the $10,000 suit: how Melbourne's Crystal Ballroom launched a scene"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/09/nick-cave-andy-griffiths-and-the-10000-suit-how-melbournes-crystal-ballroom-launched-a-scene). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Treehouse series author Andy Griffiths wins the Laureate"](https://www.smh.com.au/culture/treehouse-series-author-andy-griffiths-wins-the-laureate-20260211-p5o1hs.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ABC News (Australia) (15 September 2018). [*How Andy Griffiths found Terry Denton, 'a brother in stupidity' | Throwback*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLVC1UrQAOA). Retrieved 10 April 2026 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Andy Griffiths' unlikely journey from punk rocker to children's laureate"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-21/andy-griffiths-author-australian-childrens-laureate/106331360). *ABC News*. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Guenzler, Joseph (5 March 2025). ["Indigenous students join Andy Griffiths for 2025 Great Book Swap launch"](https://nit.com.au/05-03-2025/16628/indigenous-students-join-andy-griffiths-for-2025-great-book-swap-launch). *National Indigenous Times*. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["'Literacy underlies all achievement': popular author Andy Griffiths speaks out"](https://educationhq.com/news/literacy-underlies-all-achievement-popular-author-andy-griffiths-speaks-out-206386/). *educationhq.com*. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Andy Griffiths appointed as national ambassador for Australian children's literature"](https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/andy-griffiths-appointed-as-national-ambassador-for-australian-childrens-literature-2840583/). 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

## External links

- [Children's literature portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Children%27s_literature)

- [Official website](http://www.andygriffiths.com.au)

- [Griffiths profile on Macmillan.com](http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygriffiths)

- [Andy Griffiths discusses career and writing technique with Anna Burkey at State Library Victoria – ABC Splash](http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/livestream/2057200/meet-andy-griffiths)

- [Andy Griffiths](https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?10392) at the [Internet Speculative Fiction Database](/source/Internet_Speculative_Fiction_Database)

- [Andy Griffiths](https://lccn.loc.gov/nr2001005609) at the [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress), with 27 library catalogue records

v t e Works by Andy Griffiths Short story collections Bad books The Bad Book (2004) The Very Bad Book (2010) The Super Bad Book (TBA) Bum trilogy The Day My Bum Went Psycho (2001) Zombie Bums from Uranus (2003) Bumageddon: The Final Pongflict (2005) Cat 'n' Cow series The Cat on the Mat Is Flat (2006) The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow! (2008) Just! series Just Tricking! (1997) Just Annoying! (1998) Just Stupid! (1999) Just Three for Free! (2000) Just Crazy! (2000) Just Disgusting! (2002) Just Shocking! (2007) Just Macbeth! (July 2009) Just Doomed! (April 2012) Miscellaneous Killer Koalas from Outer Space (2011) Novels Schooling Around series Treasure Fever! (2008) Pencil of Doom! (2008) Mascot Madness! (2009) Robot Riot! (2009) The Treehouse series The 13-Storey Treehouse (2011) The 26-Storey Treehouse (2012) The 39-Storey Treehouse (2013) The 52-Storey Treehouse (2014) The 65-Storey Treehouse (2015) The 78-Storey Treehouse (2016) The 91-Storey Treehouse (2017) The 104-Storey Treehouse (2018) The 117-Storey Treehouse (2019) The 130-Storey Treehouse (2020) The 143-Storey Treehouse (2021) Miscellaneous Fast Food and No Play Make Jack a Fat Boy (2006) What Bumosaur Is That? (2007) What Body Part is That? (2011) Stinky Stories Plays Just Macbeth! (2007)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Norway Latvia Greece Korea Poland Israel Belgium Artists MusicBrainz People DDB Other Open Library 2

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Andy Griffiths (author)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Griffiths_(author)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Griffiths_(author)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.