Andy Griffiths (author)
Australian children's writer (born 1961)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Andrew Noel Griffiths (born 3 September 1961) is an Australian children's and comedy writer. He is most 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, which was also adapted into a television series,[1] and the Treehouse series, which has been adapted into several stage plays.[2][3] He is well known for working with Terry Denton.[4]
Andy Griffiths | |
|---|---|
Griffiths at the 2019 Texas Book Festival | |
| Born | Andrew Noel Griffiths 3 September 1961 |
| Occupation | Author |
| Genre | Humour, children’s fiction |
| Notable awards | Australian Children's Laureate, 2026–2027 |
| Spouse | Jill Griffiths |
| Website | |
| www | |
Early life
An event cited by Griffiths as instrumental in developing his literary style was when, as a child, he read the 1845 German children's book Struwwelpeter, which featured children being maimed and killed as a consequence for bad behaviour.[5]
He was educated at Yarra Valley Grammar School.
Career
Previously a vocalist with alternative rock bands Gothic Farmyard[6] and Ivory Coast,[7] in 1992 he turned to writing.
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".[8]
Literary style
Griffiths places an emphasis on toilet and gross-out humour in his books, and aims to balance levels of what he deems "anarchy" and "nice" within his series; he notes that his Just! series was more anarchic while his Treehouse series was more nice.[5]
Personal life
Griffiths is noted as a supporter of children against what he views as "cotton wool" childhoods,[4] and, along with Denton, was a noted supporter of the September 2019 climate strikes.[9]
