SPACEBOY: The epic and funny new children’s book from multi-million bestselling author David Walliams

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Cally Poplak, executive publisher, said: “Hot off the heels of securing the bestselling children’s book of 2022 we couldn’t be more excited to publish David Walliams’ next adventure. David’s books bring joy and laughter to children and parents around the globe." The World of David Walliams Book of Stuff (1) The World of David Walliams Book of Stuff (1 products) One thing that surprised me with this book was its setting both in time and place. Most of David Walliams’ books are set in present time and in England whereas this book was set in 1960’s USA. I loved getting to read about the space race and have a different kind of supporting cast such as the sheriff and the President of the United States.

Ruth's terrible life is never to be the same as she struggles to hide the alien from her aunt, the sheriff, the FBI, the CIA, the scientific boffins and even the President of America. Thrown into a bouncing, flying, racing, falling, but fabulously fun adventure, Ruth does everything she can to keep her first real friend (besides Yuri) safe. Lots of fun, it has a bit of a bonkers ending, but for goodness sake - it's a piece of fiction. I hope this gets children excited about space.One night, using the telescope she's scavenged to watch the stars, Ruth is astounded to see an ACTUAL UFO crashing near the farm. With an alien inside it!! She's GOT to get there before her aunt finds out! to go up into space, and Ruth even named her three legged dog after him. It's the 1960's and space is a hot topic as the USA tries to copy their Russian rivals in the space race. One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky… before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all of Ruth’s dreams come true. Because Ruth is obsessed with space. As is the rest of the world, as it's 1960s America and the Space Race is in full swing. Adding to David Walliams’ wonderful story were captivating illustrations by Adam Stower. Not only did Adam Stower’s illustrations perfectly complimented the story they helped to elevate this book to a whole new level.

Walliams said Pinocchio was one of his favourite stories growing up, and that he wanted to create his own version with a robot police dog who yearned to be a real dog. “It is a comedy adventure story with a group of supervillains, but I hope my readers will find a positive message in there about being whoever you want to be,” he said. Spaceboy is written on a snippet of history that changed our world and allowed us to dream of bigger things. It introduces us to a daredevil girl who is a science nerd and not afraid to stand up for herself or her friends. David Walliams brings his signature writing style and pushes Ruth to break stereotypes. He also jabs a punch of humour on the state of society, government and politics which makes you double over with laughter. The night sky is the only pleasure Ruth gets since she was left as an orphan on her evil aunt's steps. Aunt Dorothy makes Ruth work from dawn till dusk on her failing Ostrich farm, and also makes her share the minimal food she does get with her only friend - her dog Yuri. Mom, I am finished. What a different take on space, and I learnt a couple of new words, you know!" DEFIANT was one of them, hopefully it will not be tested any time soon👀 David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and has become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel, The Boy in the Dress (2008), Walliams has seen unprecedented growth with global sales exceeding 45 million copies, and his books translated into 55 languages. Collectively across his titles, David has celebrated over 70 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the overall book charts and more than 200 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the children’s charts – an unprecedented achievement for a children’s writer.An alien on earth is news and the Spaceboy even makes it to The White House to meet a rotund President with an orange face who may or may not seem familiar to many readers. In the end the book is all about what makes news in power hungry nations and how children need loving families to help them realise their dreams. Walliams also points out that women and girls definitely have a role to play in the space race – something that was undreamt of in the ‘60’s. There's a new kid in town, Kevin, from SPACEBOY 🚀. If your young one loved Greg from THE WIMPY KID series, Kevin will be their new best friend. The World of David Walliams Book of Stuff (1) The World of David Walliams Book of Stuff (1 product) America. The 1960s. Ruth loves climbing trees, making a mess and throwing stones. But the thing she loves most is SPACE.

Adam Stower is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. Adam’s most recent accolade includes winning the 2020 Alligator’s Mouth Award for Illustrated Early Fiction with King Coo and the Curse of the Mummy’s Gold. Adam was born in England, grew up in Switzerland and has loved drawing ever since he was old enough to hold a crayon. He went to art school in Norwich, and Brighton too, where he still lives beside the sea with his wife and a cat called Murray. This release will make the second collaboration with David Walliams following the bestselling Little Monsters in 2020. A new illustrator with a slightly different style, but any reader will still recognise Walliams' famed characters and writing style. I am a massive fan of David Walliams’ books so I went into this book with high hopes. Thankfully it not only lived up to my high expectations it well and truly surpassed them. The villains are properly villainous, a president is really familiar (but I can't quite put my finger on it - smirk) and a stereotypical military Major can hardly stand up with the weight of his medals and his strong chin.

Drawing on the golden age of comic books as well as classic children’s literature, and infused with David’s love of cinema, this is a non-stop, laugh-out-loud comic adventure that, like all of David’s novels, is also full of heart. Gloriously illustrated by the versatile Adam Stower, who brings his own deep love of film and comics to the world of Bedlam, it will be the perfect tonic for families everywhere this Easter and beyond,” he said. Adam Stower is the new illustrator for Walliams’s books and this is my second one by him after The World’s Worst Pets. He brings a frenzy to the adventure in his scenes, blowing the wind through your hair. Some of the scenes are drawn like a children’s comic book and I especially loved his illustration for Spaceboy with his metal head and flowing cape. It's not about the length of time it takes a child to finish a book, it's about consistency, and if a child reads frequently, daily, for about 10 minutes, that's all the difference it makes between developing reasoning skills, confidence, a great vocab and the hunger to learn more, to know more. But when the UFO crash-lands in the cornfield, and Ruth rushes to help, she finds a mystery – and an adventure – beyond her wildest dreams… David’s publishing has evolved into one of the biggest multi-media entertainment brands in the UK today, engaging and delighting children across a multitude of platforms.

Space Boy is a non-stop fun-fest, with tons and tons of action, a courageous heroine, a funny furry friend at her side, and an alien with a very, very big secret. I was glad to see the historical context of the book, a bit of history there for readers, and Walliams actually reins in some of the usual silliness with no Raj or disgusting lunch menus. At times I felt like I was reading Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, but Walliams definitely has his own signature on his work and Dahl, while clearly a strong influence, is not channelled. One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky… before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all Ruth’s dreams come true. But does this visitor from another planet have a giant secret?

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