- Comedy
- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 7–10
The shape of it
The shape of this universe.
Barry Loser is Jim Smith's doodly, slang-heavy school comedy franchise about a boy who is convinced he is extremely keel, despite the universe constantly proving otherwise. The books sit in the same broad space as Tom Gates, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and other highly illustrated school-life comedies: short chapters, cartoons, embarrassment, friendship tangles, family chaos, bodily humour, daft catchphrases and a narrator whose confidence is part of the joke. It is not subtle, but it is very useful: a strong reluctant-reader series for children who want comedy, speed and accessible visual support.
A joke-packed, doodly school comedy series for readers who like daft slang, embarrassment, friendship chaos and narrators who think they are cooler than they are.
Primary themes
Tone palette
- Funny
- Silly
- Irreverent
- Absurdist
The series
One way in.
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
What Barry Loser has done
- Major award winner
Cultural ubiquity
3/ 5Well-known to people who know the room.
Sensitivity
Low, and collection-wide.
Across the collection
All 11 books.
About the creator