Bad Dad David Walliams – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bad Dad David Walliams

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A boy schemes to break his innocent dad INTO prison in this silly, heartfelt crime caper from the UK's Roald Dahl successor.

Bad Dad David Walliams

book

2020, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A boy schemes to break his innocent dad INTO prison in this silly, heartfelt crime caper from the UK's Roald Dahl successor.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

Bad Dad delivers exactly what it promises: a silly, fast-paced adventure with enough heart to make the crude humor feel purposeful rather than gratuitous. Walliams knows his audience—kids who want to laugh at ridiculous scenarios while still caring about the characters.

The father-son relationship is genuinely moving, and the 'breaking INTO prison' premise is absurd enough to keep pages turning. Yes, there's bathroom humor. Yes, there's crime. But it's all cartoonish and clearly framed within a moral universe where the good guys (Frank and his wrongly-accused dad) are worth rooting for.

It's not going to win literary awards, but it will get reluctant readers hooked, and that counts for a lot. If your kid loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants and is ready for slightly more emotional stakes, this is a solid pick.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-12, the sweet spot for Walliams' blend of gross-out humor and genuine heart. Younger kids might miss the emotional nuance; older middle-schoolers might find it a bit juvenile unless they're still into silly humor.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Emotional core centers on father-son love and loyalty through hardship. Frank's devotion to his wrongly-imprisoned dad models family bonds, though the premise involves crime and prison. Walliams balances crude humor with genuine heart—the story acknowledges loss, poverty, and injustice but maintains hope. Some bathroom humor and slapstick violence typical of the genre, but ultimately pro-social themes of standing by family.

Imaginative

Fast-paced heist adventure with over-the-top embellishments and absurd scenarios (breaking INTO prison rather than out). Walliams brings Dahl-esque exaggeration and wordplay. The hot-rod racing backdrop and crime-caper plotting offer imaginative scenarios, though it's more 'fun romp' than deeply original territory. Illustrations by Tony Ross add visual creativity. Encourages readers to think through problem-solving in ridiculous circumstances.

Safe

Age-appropriate for middle-grade readers with no graphic content. Common Sense Media notes 'gross and crude humor' but nothing traumatizing. Crime elements are cartoonish rather than realistic—the dad is innocent and wrongly imprisoned, not glorifying actual criminality. Some mild peril and slapstick violence typical of children's adventure stories. No sexual content, minimal language concerns. The 'bad dad' framing might worry some parents, but the story actually shows a loving father in terrible circumstances.

Enriching

Explores loyalty, injustice, and resilience through accessible storytelling. Frank navigates poverty and social stigma after his dad's fall from grace, offering empathy-building around class and hardship. The innocent-man-in-prison plot touches on systemic injustice in kid-friendly terms. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused with broad humor—not deeply educational or skill-building. Strong Amazon rating (4.7/5) suggests kids find it engaging, which matters for reading motivation.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely funny with Dahl-style absurdity and wordplay that keeps reluctant readers turning pages
Emotional anchor of father-son loyalty gives the silliness real stakes—kids feel Frank's determination
Touches on tough topics (poverty, injustice, social stigma) in accessible, age-appropriate ways
Fast-paced heist plotting with over-the-top twists keeps energy high
Strong ratings (4.7/5 on Amazon) suggest kids actually enjoy it, which matters for reading motivation

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What to Watch For

Crude humor and bathroom jokes throughout—if your kid thinks farts are peak comedy, they'll love it; if you're over that phase, brace yourself
Crime and prison themes, though the dad is innocent and wrongly accused (not glorifying actual criminality)
Some emotional weight around poverty, loss, and a father's fall from hero to zero—might hit hard for kids dealing with family struggles
The title 'Bad Dad' is misleading—he's actually a good dad in bad circumstances, but worth clarifying upfront

Conversation Starters

"Frank's dad made a mistake that landed him in prison. How would you feel if someone you loved was being treated unfairly?"
"The story is about loyalty—Frank never gives up on his dad. When is it important to stand by someone, even when things get hard?"
"Gilbert went from being 'Gilbert the Great' to having nothing. How do you think that felt for him? For Frank?"
"What would YOU do if you had to come up with a crazy plan to help someone you love?"

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