The Law of the Missing Shoe
You will find one shoe straight away. The other one has moved house and won't come back until you're already late.
A Christmas gift for ages 8–12
Buy the paperback
Murphy's Law for Kids
The toast lands butter-side down. The printer breaks the night before the project is due. Now there's a book that explains why – and helps kids laugh about it.
101 hilariously true rules, principles and life lessons for surviving school, friends and family – by Professor Max Murphy.
Get your copy on Amazon
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Why grown-ups give this book
Every child knows the feeling that the whole world is against them. Murphy's Law for Kids turns those everyday disasters into rules they can recognise, laugh at and bounce back from.
Reluctant readers welcome
Short, punchy chapters make it easy to dip in, read one law, laugh, and come back for more – ideal for kids who struggle to sit with longer books.
Laughs that build resilience
A fun way to understand life's unpredictability, so setbacks feel less personal and more laughable – without ever feeling like a lecture.
"That's SO true!"
Laws about school, homework, friendships, siblings, sports, technology and family road trips – situations every 8–12 year old will recognise.
A taste of Murphy's Law
Three laws written for this website in the style of the book (the book itself has 101 different ones).
The Law of the Brilliant Comeback
The perfect reply to a mean comment arrives in your brain exactly three hours after you needed it.
The Law of the Pencil Case
You own fourteen pens. Thirteen don't work. The fourteenth works perfectly – until the test begins.
The Murphy's Law books
Book 1: Murphy's Law for Kids
For ages 8–12. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle and audiobook.
About the Kids bookBook 2: Murphy's Law for Teens
For teenagers surviving school, social drama and everything that goes sideways. Kindle now – paperback coming soon
About the Teens bookShopping for Christmas?
Looking for funny books for kids 8–12, a stocking filler for a child who "doesn't like reading", or a gift you can post to a grandchild abroad? Our gift guide has ideas, tips and answers.
Open the gift guideMake sure you get the right one
Several books have similar titles. Ours is the bright yellow cover with the buttery toast and fried egg, by Professor Max Murphy.
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