Andy Griffiths (author)

{{short description|Australian children's writer (born 1961)}}{{distinguish|text=the Australian small-business writer [[Andrew Griffiths (author)|Andrew Griffiths]], or American actor [[Andy Griffith]]}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox writer | image = Andy Griffiths 2019 Texas Book Festival.jpg | imagesize = | name = Andy Griffiths | caption = Griffiths at the 2019 Texas Book Festival | birth_name = Andy Griffiths | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|09|03|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia | genre = Humour, children’s fiction | spouse = Jill Griffiths | movement = | occupation = Author | influenced = | website = {{URL|http://www.andygriffiths.com.au/}}| | awards = [[Australian Children's Laureate]], 2026–2027 }}

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

His books are published all over the world and include the ''[[The 13-Story Treehouse|Treehouse]]'' series, which has been adapted into several stage plays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/coles-announces-worldfirst-little-treehouse-collectables/news-story/82f5fd3ca4258e13b879b0b7a88b4140|title=Coles announces world-first Little Treehouse collectables|newspaper=The Australian|last1=Croll|first1=Vanessa|date=29 July 2020|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/theatre/rollicking-slapstick-as-reluctant-babysitters-face-sharks-whirlpool-20191231-p53ny4.html|title=Rollicking slapstick as reluctant babysitters face sharks, whirlpool|website=Sydney Morning Herald|last1=Woodhead|first1=Cameron|date=29 July 2020|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>

He is well known for working with [[Terry Denton]].<ref name="Anarchy">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-16/andy-griffiths-and-terry-denton-on-dangerous-kids-books/10248540|title=Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton are putting the 'anarchy' back into childhood |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|last1=Blau|first1=Annika|date=16 September 2018|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> He is also notable for his ''[[Just!]]'' series, which was adapted into an animated television series called ''[[What's with Andy?]]'', his novel ''[[The Day My Bum Went Psycho]]'', [[The Day My Butt Went Psycho!|which was also adapted into a television series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/the-day-my-butt-went-psycho|title=The Day My Butt Went Psycho|website=Common Sense Media|last1=Ashby|first1=Emily|year=2015|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>

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

Griffiths was appointed the [[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".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-11 |title=Griffiths announced as Australian Children’s Laureate |url=https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2026/02/11/323741/griffiths-announced-as-childrens-laureate/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |publisher=Books+Publishing}}</ref>

==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|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/82840254/andy-griffiths-adds-more-layers-to-his-beloved-treehouse |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-20 |title=Andy Griffiths: from crafting outlandish lyrics to writing 'funny stuff for kids' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sundayextra/andy-griffiths-on-writing-outlandish-lyrics-funny-stuff-for-kids/6865800 |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Career== After graduating high school in 1979, he attended [[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 (Melbourne)|Crystal Ballroom.]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krauth |first=Kirsten |date=2020-04-09 |title=Nick Cave, Andy Griffiths and the $10,000 suit: how Melbourne's Crystal Ballroom launched a scene |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/09/nick-cave-andy-griffiths-and-the-10000-suit-how-melbournes-crystal-ballroom-launched-a-scene |access-date=2026-04-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

After completing a Diploma of Education at Rusden Teachers College (now [[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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Treehouse series author Andy Griffiths wins the Laureate |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/treehouse-series-author-andy-griffiths-wins-the-laureate-20260211-p5o1hs.html |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLVC1UrQAOA |title=How Andy Griffiths found Terry Denton, 'a brother in stupidity' {{!}} Throwback |date=2018-09-15 |last=ABC News (Australia) |access-date=2026-04-10 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== Advocacy == Andy is the Australian Children’s Laureate 2026–2027.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Andy Griffiths' unlikely journey from punk rocker to children's laureate |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-21/andy-griffiths-author-australian-childrens-laureate/106331360 |access-date=2026-04-10 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> He is an ambassador for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guenzler |first=Joseph |date=2025-03-05 |title=Indigenous students join Andy Griffiths for 2025 Great Book Swap launch |url=https://nit.com.au/05-03-2025/16628/indigenous-students-join-andy-griffiths-for-2025-great-book-swap-launch |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=National Indigenous Times}}</ref> and the Pyjama Foundation<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Literacy underlies all achievement’: popular author Andy Griffiths speaks out |url=https://educationhq.com/news/literacy-underlies-all-achievement-popular-author-andy-griffiths-speaks-out-206386/ |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=educationhq.com |language=en}}</ref>, and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2015 to honour his outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=Andy Griffiths appointed as national ambassador for Australian children’s literature |url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/andy-griffiths-appointed-as-national-ambassador-for-australian-childrens-literature-2840583/ |access-date=2026-04-10 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Books==

=== The ''JUST!'' Series === {| class="wikitable" !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 === {| class="wikitable" !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 | |- | colspan="3" | ===== '''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 === {| class="wikitable" !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 === {| class="wikitable" !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 === {| class="wikitable" !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 === {| class="wikitable" !Title !Year |- |''What Body Part is That?'' |2011 |- |''What Bumosaur is That?'' |2007 |}

=== ''Schooling Around'' Series === {| class="wikitable" !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 === {| class="wikitable" !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 == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Show title !Producer !No. of seasons |- |2001–2007 |[[What's with Andy?|''What’s With Andy?'']] |[[CinéGroupe]] |3 |- |2013–2015 |[[The Day My Butt Went Psycho!|''The Day My Butt Went Psycho'']] |[[Nelvana]], Studio Moshi & Brain Bender Pty Ltd |2 |}'''Theatre'''

* ''[[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== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Portal |Children's literature}} *[http://www.andygriffiths.com.au Official website] *[http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygriffiths Griffiths profile on Macmillan.com] *[http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/livestream/2057200/meet-andy-griffiths Andy Griffiths discusses career and writing technique with Anna Burkey at State Library Victoria – ABC Splash] * {{isfdb name|10392}} * {{LCAuth|nr2001005609|Andy Griffiths|27|ue}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffiths, Andy}} [[Category:1961 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Australian comedy writers]] [[Category:Australian children's writers]] [[Category:Monash University alumni]] [[Category:Deakin University alumni]] [[Category:Victoria University (Australia) alumni]] [[Category:Australian male novelists]] [[Category:Writers from Melbourne]] [[Category:People educated at Yarra Valley Grammar]]