Nine-year-old Pete loves being alone and friendless. He also loves his favourite sport – snooker. One day whilst watching his favourite sport on TV his mum asks him to go to the local shop for her, giving him a list of items needed.

Begrudgingly he goes. Upon walking past his neighbour’s house he is squirted with a water pistol which hits him right in the eye. He then stumbles into a man walking past holding a piece of paper and nearly knocks him over – both the man and Pete drop their pieces of paper.

Pete retrieves them both and gives the man back his. The man then carries on his way. The squirter turned out to be Sammy, Pete’s next door neighbour and he wants to be friends.

Pete tells him no and to go away but Sammy follows him. When he reaches the shop Sammy is still following him. Pete gives his note to the shopkeeper. However, it would seem that the note isn’t the list of items wanted, but a note stating that he is robbing the place.

With Sammy still brandishing his realistic looking water gun, the shopkeeper hands over the takings from the till – and some tins of Pilchards.

The two try to explain that they are not robbers, but no-one believes them. It is up to them to stay low and try and prove their innocence, but that is easier said than done.

The Day I Became the Most Wanted Boy in the World is a massively entertaining book for children. I would guess for those around seven to twelve years old, depending on their reading skills.

From the first page to the last there is plenty to laugh about. The story is just one big laugh along with a quirky, ridiculous (in a good way) plot.

The pages also include fun small illustrations – these really help the reader to engage with the story.

For a child that likes daft, fun, laugh-out-loud books, The Day I Became the Most Wanted Boy in the World would be perfect.

About the Author

I write pictures and doodle words for Bloomsbury, Puffin, Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, The Guardian, Disney, Nickelodeon. After leaving art college in ’97, I spent nearly 10 years as a political cartoonist for The Western Morning News before going freelance.

I’ve been published both as a writer and an illustrator for a number of publishers, had my books translated across Europe and South America. Apart from publishing, I’ve also spent time script writer and a character designer for several animation channels.

I live in Devon, spend most of my days drinking tea and dreaming up new stories.