By Thiago de Moraes (author) , Thiago De Moraes (illustrator)
"Zany and hilarious series opener finds Olly Morris trying to survive his first term at the School of Gods."
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June 2026 Book of the Month
From an award-winning author/ illustrator renowned for his information books and picture books as well as his fiction, we have what he himself describes as his ‘silliest’ book ever and one that is aimed at that really important emerging reader age group. In an accessible diary format and crammed with his trademark zany, comic-style illustrations, this is bound to attract readers.
One thing we know from his Myth Atlas and his Let Sleeping Gods Lie duology, is that this is an author absolutely obsessed with myths. But, rather than create more stories about familiar gods, he has invented his own weird and wonderful deities (such as Ikeo, God of Making and Instructions, KoKo, Goddess of Chocolate, and Smit, Goddess of Love) and it is these that young Olly Morris encounters when he receives an invitation to attend The School Of Gods.
While this would excite any child, Olly cannot believe his luck. He has always wanted to attend school, but his wandering parents never stay in one place long enough. He wants to make friends, so he is even more delighted to find two other human children accompanying him in the flying marrow transporting them to the school!
Unfortunately, the gods have not really thought things through in terms of making allowances for fragile ‘hewmans’ with no powers, who are now competing with unfriendly godlings and with the prospect of a deadly exam at the end of term. But Olly, Gert and Enrico are brave and determined and their trials and tribulations will keep readers endlessly amused and wanting to find out what happens next.
Hugely imaginative world building and very likeable characters will ensure the popularity of this series, which could then lead them on to the Loki series or indeed to enjoy the more challenging Let Sleeping Gods Lie.
Olly Morris, (mostly) normal kid, is living his (mostly) normal life when a Messenger to the Mighty Gods summons him to Gods School. There, Olly's given a grumpy 'mobile gnome' named Jeff, told by immensely powerful and scatterbrained teachers he must pass a life-threatening exam - Or Else, and plunged into a class of unfriendly godlings. With no powers, no idea why he's been chosen and a growing sense that nobody actually knows what's going on, Olly can't work out if this is the best or worst school in the universe.
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Full of wit, immediately accessible and packed with immersive illustrations, this is perfect for fans of Louie Stowell's Loki series, Tom Vaughan's Hercules and Ramzee's The Cheat Book .
A hilarious, spectacularly imaginative new series that puts a fresh spin on stories of chosen ones, schools and ancient gods.
Praise for Old Gods New Tricks:
'A little piece of mythological magic . . . a triumph!' - Maz Evans
'A feast of tricksters wrapped up in a deliciously apocalyptic coating' - Louie Stowell
'A full-on blaze through various world mythologies . . . it's fair to say there is a little bit of the godlike about this' - The Bookbag
Thiago de Moraes spends most of his time in a tiny shed at the bottom of his garden, writing and illustrating books, comics and bits of old cardboard boxes. He enjoys telling all sorts of stories, from picture books to non-fiction. His highly illustrated Myth Atlas , a guide to myths and legends, has been translated into 18 languages. Thiago has won the Sheffield Children's Book Award, been longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize and twice nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. His comic Age of Stone is published in the weeklt story comic, The Phoenix .
Thiago is 90% beard, dangerously fond of bacon and lives in England with his wife, children and a pet tortoise called Nibbles.
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone. Head over there and check it out now.
Thiago de Moraes - Author of the Month
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Lydia Marmalade and the Christmas Wish
Solving Crimes Is Not My Superpower
The School for Good and Evil
Frostheart 3: Rise of The World Eater
Olly Morris, (mostly) normal kid, is living his (mostly) normal life when a Messenger to the Mighty Gods summons him to Gods School. There, Olly's given a grumpy 'mobile gnome' named Jeff, told by immensely powerful and scatterbrained teachers he must pass a life-threatening exam - Or Else, and plunged into a class of unfriendly godlings.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Welcome to the School of Gods and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-10 years old
Welcome to the School of Gods features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Funny, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Welcome to the School of Gods was written by Thiago de Moraes and published by David Fickling Books
Welcome to the School of Gods has 220 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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