Do you like bears called Padlock? Do you like hot-air balloons? Do you like tall sailing ships with mad sea captains, and horrifying old villains and words like 'wab!', 'tungler' and 'kelp'? This book's got all of those things - and a lot more besides.
Andy Stanton studied English at Oxford University but they kicked him out. He has since worked as a stand-up comedian, a film script reader, a cartoonist and an NHS lackey. His Mr Gum Books for Egmont have won widespread acclaim and numerous awards including the inaugural Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2009, the Blue Peter Award and the Red House Award. He lives in North London.
Click here to read a Q&A with the author from top children's publisher Egmont.
