New Releases by Andy Stanton

AI is changing the world at frightening speed. A bestselling author decides to find out more… ‘Something profound and utterly brilliant is going on… hilarious.’ THE TIMES Is ChatGPT the end of creative industries as we know them? An ethical quagmire from which there is no return? A threat to all our jobs, as we keep hearing on the news? Bestselling children’s author Andy Stanton has made a career out of writing differently – from the unconventional ‘hero’ of his bestselling Mr Gum series to his penchant for absurdist plots, his children’s books are anything but formulaic. When a friend introduces him to ChatGPT, the new large language chatbot, Andy is as sceptical as he is curious. Can this jumble of algorithms really mimic the spontaneity of human thought? Could it one day replace human authors like him for good? And are we soon to be ruled over by despotic robot overlords? He decides there’s only one thing for it – he must test this bot’s capabilities. Eventually, he settles on a prompt that will push the algorithm to its creative limits: ‘tell me a story about a blue whale with a tiny penis.’ Chaos ensues. What follows is a surprising and illuminating battle between Andy and ChatGPT that maybe, just maybe, might help us all understand AI a little bit better. Join Andy and his beleaguered AI lackey on a rollicking metafictional journey through the art of storytelling. Presenting his prompts and the AI-generated narrative alongside extensive commentary, Stanton provides a startling paean to the art of a good story and boundless human creativity. Hopeful and hilarious, Benny the Blue Whale provides a joyfully anarchic meditation on AI, literature and why we write. *** A WATERSTONES AND NEW SCIENTIST BEST BOOK OF 2023 ‘There’s no book like it. Scholarly, childish, fascinating and hilarious – one of our funniest writers dissects what it takes to build a story and what that tells us about being human. It’ll really make you think, if you can stop laughing.’ Chris Addison, co-creator of BREEDERS ‘Entertaining and alarmingly relevant, provocative and philosophically satisfying, it’s ultimately a profoundly human text.’ OBSERVER ‘A magnificent experiment by a perfect fool – deep and shallow and stupid and clever – the perfect use of AI (Andy Intelligence).’ Robin Ince, author of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INTERESTED ‘Benny the Blue Whale is many things. It’s a fascinating discourse on the nature of language and storytelling. It’s a philosophical treatise on the possibilities of artificial intelligence. It’s a receptacle for obscenely hilarious jokes... A brilliant and beautiful cyborg: part human brain, part computational muscle. It’s a post-post-modern work of genius.’ Anthony McGowan, Carnegie Medal-winning author of LARK

Una serie da oltre 4 milioni di copie vendute. Vincitrice del premio Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Cari amici, se amate protagonisti eroici e gentili, di buon cuore e pronti all’avventura questo libro NON fa per voi. Mr Rum è brutto, maleodorante e insopportabile. Odia i cani, i colori e non capisce le caramelle. (Memo per il lettore: nella vita, diffida sempre di chi non capisce le caramelle!) Questa storia parla di lui. Di come insieme al suo orrido socio Billy William Terzo cercherà di sgraffignare il bottino del più ricco omino Pan di Zenzero della città. E di come una ragazzina intelligente e sgamata come Giammy Grammy Lammy Fuppa Fuppa Berlino... detta Polly proverà a impedirglielo. Insomma, questo libro è decisamente un po’ fuori di testa. Non è per tutti. «Divertente e spiazzante come leggere una storia sull’ottovolante - per farsi passare il singhiozzo (funziona!)» - Riccardo Duranti, traduttore di La fabbrica di cioccolato «Se Mr Gum è folle? Potete scommetterci» - The Guadian «In questo irresistibile libro, Andy Stanton combina situazioni fuori di testa a battute spassosissime» - The Sunday Times «Mia figlia di otto anni ha riso così tanto che le è venuto il mal di pancia» - The Daily Telegraph

Una serie da oltre 4 milioni di copie vendute. Vincitrice del premio Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Cari amici, NON leggete questo libro. Il protagonista è una persona orribile. Davvero, credetemi. Puzza anche. Avete presente quando vi dicono che ci sono persone brutte fuori ma belle dentro? Ecco. Mr Gum è brutto sia fuori che dentro. Odia i bambini, i cani, i colori, le caramelle. Questa storia parla di lui. Della fata armata di padella che vive nella sua vasca da bagno. Dell’impavido e sprovveduto cane Jake. E di un’effervescente ragazzina di nome Polly. (Di tanto in tanto troverete anche delle talpe, non fateci caso.) Insomma, questo è un libro un po’ fuori di testa. NON è per tutti. «Divertente e spiazzante come leggere una storia sull’ottovolante - per farsi passare il singhiozzo (funziona!)» - Riccardo Duranti, traduttore di La fabbrica di cioccolato «Se Mr Gum è folle? Potete scommetterci» - The Guadian «In questo irresistibile libro, Andy Stanton combina situazioni fuori di testa a battute spassosissime» - The Sunday Times «Mia figlia di otto anni ha riso così tanto che le è venuto il mal di pancia» - The Daily Telegraph

Recovering Abundance: Twelve Practices for Small-Town Leaders invites readers to live a new story--to join a movement of renewal for small towns and rural communities. Andy Stanton-Henry provides twelve civic-spiritual practices, rooted in Jesus''s miracle among the multitude, that rural and small-town leaders can use to renew their congregations and communities. Each chapter explores how one practice was demonstrated in the story, has been embodied in small-town and rural leaders and communities, and can be applied today. Through these twelve practices, Stanton-Henry helps readers tune in to an alternative story, one he discovered in his own rural Ohio community. Yes, he saw the commonly lamented decline and devastation that have brought suffering to rural Americans and that seem to foster resentment and despair. However, as he dug deeper into the stories of his neighbors, he began to notice that small towns and rural regions are working. They are working to build inclusive, thriving, local economies, to weave a welcoming social fabric in their region, to cocreate a positive future--following the practices he explores in this book. Recovering Abundance is a new story about the agency and creativity of what Stanton-Henry calls "ordinary leaders," not a story about scarcity and deprivation but one of abundance and generosity.

A brand-new lowered reading age edition of a laugh-out-loud tale from the bestselling author of the Mr Gum series. Sterling Thaxton is in love. In love with Lizzie Harris - the beautiful new girl. Her hair is the colour of magic. Her nose is as sweet as music. Her arms are as slender as rainbows. Problem is, she''s not interested. Luckily a small yellow canary turns up with some excellent advice. A brand new edition of this laugh-out-loud story of young love from Mr Gum author and King of Funny Andy Stanton, now with a lowered reading age of 7.

In the eccentric town of Lamonic Bibber, evil Mr. Gum tries to steal the fortune of Alan Taylor, the gingerbread man, but is thwarted once again by the goodness of a local girl named Polly.

The first in a brand new series from the fevered imagination of the award-winning, bestselling author of MR GUM. Welcome to the last days of Pompeii as you''ve NEVER imagined them before! Join fart-trader Caecilius, his wife, Vesuvius, and their ten-year-old son, Filius, in a bizarre world of accidental gladiators, pizza-emitting volcanoes and the legendary Ma-wol-n-f. You''ll meet the household servant, Slavius; thrill at the misadventures of Barkus Wooferinicum and generally have an uproariously hilarious time of it all. Full of ludicrous characters, surreal escapades and outrageous word play - if you thought Mr Gum was weird, then get a load of the Ancient Pompeiians! A hilarious new series from the funniest that will have 7+ readers howling with laughter. Did you know that rotten old villain, Mr Gum, has sold 3.6 million books in the UK alone? Praise for Mr Gum: ''Completely hilarious ... Kind of the League of Gentlemen for kids'' Zoe Ball ''They''re the funniest books ... I can''t recommend them enough'' Stephen Mangan Read all Andy Stanton''s well brilliant books: NATBOFF! One Million Years of Stupidity You''re a Bad Man, Mr Gum! Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire Mr Gum and the Goblins Mr Gum and the Power Crystals Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear What''s for Dinner, Mr Gum? Mr Gum and the Cherry Tree Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout

This book is a celebration of the special bond between a grandparent and child as they share the magic, joy and love in the world, both past and present. There is magic in everything. The world is a spinning star, No matter how old you are.

Do you like bears called Padlock? Course you do. Do you like hot-air balloons? Course you do. Do you like tall sailing ships with mad sea captains, and horrifying old villains and words like wab'', ''tungler'' and ''kelp''? Course you do! Well, guess what, you lucky little nibbleheads? This book''s got all of those things - and a lot more besides.

Good evening, children, on this dark and windy night. Now, come gather round the fireplace, for ''tis time for strange tales to be spun. Like the tale of Polly and that old tumbledown windmill by the riverside. But just what is the windmill''s terrible secret? Why is Mr Gum lurk-lurk-lurkin'' about? And how much does Old Granny know? Gather closer, children, for all shall be revealed... BRRR! SPOOKY!

Okay, this book''s a bit hard to describe. There''s this gingerbread man with electric muscles, see? And he''s rich as a mushroom, right? And Mr Gum and Billy William are planning to get the cash, yeah? And it''s up to Polly to save the day. And there''s a funfair and hot dogs, and Friday O''Leary shouts out some crazy stuff, and... hey, that wasn''t so hard to describe after all!

Good evening and welcome to a tale of forests! Of dreadful villains! Of caterpillars called Graham! And of a great big BEEFER of a cherry tree! But what dark secrets are hidden in that tree, where the leaves grow thick and green? Polly intends to find out, and she intends to find out by finding out. What will she find out? Find out by listening to this audiobook, and you''ll find out! NEEEEIIIIGGGGH!

Buckle up and jump on board for the funniest, most EXPLOSIVE picture book of the year - you''ll want to read it again and again-o! Join two intrepid explorers as they take a train-o, jump on a plane-o, ride a Great Dane-o (down the lane-o) on their way to look at the volcano. Nothing could possibly go wrong - could it?! A hilariously anarchic rhyming story from multi-award-winning author Andy Stanton. Andy has won a string of awards for his Mr Gum books, including the Red House Children''s Book Award, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, and the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Book With Pictures (twice). Miguel Ordonez is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Your Baby''s First Word Will Be Dada, written by Jimmy Fallon, the Emmy and Grammy award-winning host of NBC''s The Tonight Show.

Natboff is a hysterical collection of stories, all set in Mr Gum''s hometown of Lamonic Bibber. Strap on your laughter goggles as you embark on a time-traveling journey through the funniest and maddest moments in history. From the Stone Age to Medieval times, from the Great Fire to World War I, to one million years in the future, it''s all here--and it''s all completely crazy. Meet the town''s most famous residents, including: Natboff the caveman Princess Snowflake A malcontent squirrel Strange Mildred the witch A talking grape called Plover Cribbins, the mysterious Victorian inventor, who invented mysterious Victorian things And plenty more besides Packed full of stories, poems, an extremely odd history of the British monarchy, and even a "Shakespearian" play (penned by William''s less-famous brother, Terry)--and with plenty of Easter eggs for Mr Gum fans to spot along the way--this book is perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, Roald Dahl and David Walliams. Plus it''s the only one that''s got the word ''kingandqueeniest'' in it, most likely.

Meneer Gom is een enorme luiwammes die niet van opruimen houdt. Zijn huis is een puinhoop maar zijn tuin ziet er keurig uit. Tot hond John er een bende van maakt. Meneer Gom wordt verschrikkelijk boos. Vanaf ca. 8 jaar.

An utterly hilarious Seussian picture book—with a surprise ending—about a mischievous little boy who gobbles up everything in the whole entire world, except for one very important thing. . . . When Danny McGee, much to his big sister Frannie''s surprise, drinks up the sea with a giant straw, it turns out he''s just getting started. Soon nothing is safe from getting swallowed whole by Danny McGee—not the mountains, not the trees, not even the weather girl on TV! He eats up America and all the people in the whole world (including the author, who is writing this book from inside Danny McGee!). Danny swallows the alphabet and all the numbers, until there is absolutely nothing left . . . except, of course, his big sister, Frannie McGee. Absurdist humor throughout, along with a delicious twist at the end, will have kids laughing uncontrollably at this one-of-a-kind picture book. Praise for the work of illustrator Neal Layton: "Layton''s playful mixed-media illustrations evoke Ludwig Bemelmans and John Burningham. They''re fresh and funny, providing plenty to pore over." —Kirkus Reviews "[This] whimsical tale is given ample comic dimension by Neal''s zany and inventive mixed-media illustrations." —Publishers Weekly

Mr. Gum is a complete horror who hates children, animals, fun and corn on the cob. This book''s all about him, an angry fairy who lives in his bathtub, Jake the dog, and a little girl called Polly. YOU''RE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM! is the first book in the internationally best-selling series by Andy Stanton, which has won everything from the Blue Peter Book Award (twice) to the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Red House Children''s Book Award. This edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first publication.PRAISE FOR YOURE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM:"Worryingly splendid." - Guardian

Tim (10) weet zeker dat hij in een vlieg kan veranderen. Het is hem alleen nog nooit gelukt. Als hij in zijn nieuwe school wordt opgesloten met een grote pestkop, heeft hij zijn krachten hard nodig. AVI-M5. Vanaf ca. 9 jaar.

Mr. Gum ist zurück. Und er ist genauso gemein wie eh und je. Vielleicht sogar noch ein ganz kleines bisschen gemeiner als vorher... Jedenfalls hat er sich nun mit Kobolden verbündet, um über das kleine Städtchen Bad Lamonisch an der Bibber herzufallen. Die tapfere Polly und der getreue Freitag machen sich auf, um das zu verhindern. Doch der Weg zum Koboldberg ist weit und dann sind da auch noch drei Prüfungen, die jeder Reisende bestehen muss. Aber Polly wäre nicht Polly, wenn sie sich von solchem Schnickschnack entmutigen ließe, und außerdem gibt es ja auch noch Björn Schneyder und den Geist des Regenbogens, die ihr beistehen...

Es geht mal wieder rund in Bad Lamonisch an der Bibber! Mr Gum ist nämlich auf einen alten Fluch gestoßen, der äußerst vielversprechend klingt: Sollten die Flügel der verlotterten alten Windmühle sich je wieder drehen, geht das kleine Städtchen augenblicklich in Flammen auf. Mr Gum ist begeistert. Das will er sehen, und deshalb nimmt er die alte Windmühle schnurstracks wieder in Betrieb. Aber so einfach, wie der alte Zausel sich das vorstellt, ist die Sache nun auch wieder nicht. Denn für den Feuerzauber braucht er noch die zwei magischen Kristalle, die allerdings hat Polly. Und das genau ist das Problem ...

Tells the story of the adventure of Polly and Friday on the streets of Lamonic Bibber.

Matthew Buzzington has a special secret power - he can turn into a fly. The only problem is, it doesn''t seem to work Now, the school bully is making his life a misery - can he summon up his powers to take revenge?

Böse – böser – Mr Gum! Mr Gum hasst Kinder, Tiere, Spaß und Mais mit Butter und Salz. Dafür liebt er es, lange im Bett zu dösen und böse zu gucken. Er lebt in einem völlig heruntergekommenen Haus – sein Garten allerdings ist der schönste der ganzen Stadt. Das liegt an der bösen Fee, die in Mr Gums Badewanne wohnt und ihm mit einer Pfanne eins überzieht, wenn er seinen Garten nicht pflegt. Das alles wäre ja in Ordnung, wenn nicht eines Tages ein Hund auftauchen und den Garten beim Spielen verwüsten würde. Um die Fee ruhigzustellen und den Hund für immer loszuwerden, beschließt Mr Gum, das Tier zu vergiften. Davon bekommt das kleine Mädchen Polly Wind, und für sie ist klar: Sie muss dem bösen Mr Gum die Stirn bieten!

Polly, die tapfere Gegenspielerin von Mr Gum, lernt Björn Schneyder kennen, einen nur 15,24 cm großen und wahnsinnig reichen Lebkuchenmann. Björn ist neu in der Stadt. Mit seinem ungeheuren Reichtum will er sich Freunde kaufen und schmeißt für alle Leute eine Riesenparty, inklusive Helikopterrundflug und Rummelplatzgeräten. So viel Geld ruft natürlich den bösen Mr Gum auf den Plan. Gemeinsam mit seinem Kumpan, dem Metzger, will er den reichen Kuchenmann bestehlen. Glücklicherweise ist Polly zur Stelle, um ihrem neuen Freund zu helfen.

Herra Gummi møder den stinkende rige honningkage-mand med de elektriske muskler og lægger en plan for at få fat i pengene. Men er det nu så nemt? Og hvad siger pigen Polly til det?