John Dougherty (author) facts for kids
John Dougherty is a children's writer from Northern Ireland. He was born in the town of Larne in 1964. Today, he lives in Gloucestershire, England.
Before becoming a full-time writer, John worked as a primary school teacher in London during the 1990s and early 2000s. It was during this time that he began writing stories for children. His first book was published in 2004. That same year, he left teaching to focus completely on his writing career.
From November 2013 to 2015, he was the head of the Children's Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG). This group is a part of the UK's Society of Authors, which helps writers and illustrators.
Contents
Books by John Dougherty
John Dougherty has written many different kinds of books for children, from funny adventure stories to picture books and even poetry.
The Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face Series
This popular series follows the hilarious adventures of Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face. All these books were illustrated by David Tazzyman.
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers (2014)
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Quest for the Magic Porcupine (2014)
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Evilness of Pizza (2015)
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Bees of Stupidity (2015)
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Great Big Story Nickers (2016)
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Great Kerfuffle Christmas Kidnap (2016)
Picture Books
John Dougherty has also written charming picture books for younger readers.
- There's a Pig Up My Nose (2017), illustrated by Laura Hughes
- The Hare-Shaped Hole (2023), illustrated by Thomas Docherty
The Zeus Series
This series features the adventures of Zeus.
- Zeus on the Loose (2004)
- Zeus to the Rescue (2007)
- Zeus Sorts It Out (2011)
The Bansi O'Hara Series
Follow Bansi O'Hara in these exciting stories.
- Bansi O'Hara and the Bloodline Prophecy (2008)
- Bansi O'Hara and the Edges of Hallowe'en (2011)
The Jack Slater Series
Join Jack Slater as he investigates monsters.
- Jack Slater, Monster Investigator (2006)
- Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom (2009)
Stand-alone Books
These are individual books not part of a series.
- Niteracy Hour (2005)
- Mark & Shark: Detectiving & Stuff (2019)
Reading Books for Schools
John Dougherty has also written special books for school reading programs. These often retell classic stories in a way that is easy for children to understand.
- Finn MacCool & the Giant's Causeway (2011) - a retelling of an Irish legend for the Oxford Reading Tree
- Twice Upon a Time (2014) - part of the Treetops Chucklers (OUP) range
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014) - a retelling of the Shakespeare story for the Collins' Big Cats range
- The Story of Sir Dave (2014) - part of the OUP Project X range
- The Tempest (2015) - a retelling of the Shakespeare story for the Collins' Big Cats range
- Astron (2015) - for the Oxford Reading Tree
- The Fall of Julius Caesar (2017) - a retelling of the Shakespeare story for the Collins' Big Cats range
- Antony & Cleopatra (2017) - a retelling of the Shakespeare story for the Collins' Big Cats range
- Holiday of a Lifetime (2019) - for Treetops (OUP)
Poetry
John Dougherty has also published a book of poems.
- Dinosaurs & Dinner-Ladies (2016), illustrated by Tom Morgan-Jones
Awards and Recognition
Many of John Dougherty's books have been recognized with awards or nominations. Being "shortlisted" means a book was chosen as one of the finalists for an award.
- Zeus on the Loose was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award in 2005.
- Niteracy Hour was shortlisted for the Nottingham Children's Book Prize in 2006 and the Coventry Inspiration Raring 2 Read Award in 2008.
- Jack Slater, Monster Investigator was shortlisted for the Ottakars' Children's Book Prize in 2006.
- Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Great Big Story Nickers was shortlisted for the first Eugenie Summerfield Children's Book Prize in 2018.
- There's a Pig Up My Nose won Oscar's Book Prize in 2018.
- Mark & Shark: Detecting & Stuff was a runner-up in the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards in 2021.
