Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties

Product Information

I was always making people laugh when I was a kid, that's what I was good at, that's why I became a comedian.

Microwaved pants and killer bees feature in this rib-aching comic caper, heightened with moments of real tenderness and heart. I read Roald Dahl, Harry Potter but maybe if I had found a book with an Asian kid on the cover I might have read more because I would have found books I could relate to.In Little Badman and the Rise of the Punjabi Zombies, caretaker Mr Kapoor mentions the Partition that took place in India in 1947. Humza Arshad (pictured) is the first British YouTuber to have his own scripted comedy series on BBC Three in the mockumentary series Coconut. And thirdly (and this one was probably most important of all), Miss Crumble is, and always has been, super allergic to bee-stings.

As for the mystery — why on earth have a crew of Asian aunties taken over his school, offering tasty auntie food and “painting with chocolate” art classes, among other things? With the help of his elderly Uncle and friends Umer and Wendy, Humza discovers that the suspicious Aunties might not be as friendly as they seem. As such, it comes heartily recommended for 8+ year-olds who want to be wildly entertained by a cracking lead character, with sweetness coming courtesy of the theme of friendship, alongside the eponymous aunties’ sugary snacks. The Branford Boase judges said :‘brilliant comedy’; ‘great fun, with a unique voice’; ‘full of heart – I’ve recommended it left, right and centre’; ‘the friendship between the two boys is so well drawn’. The hilarious Humza Arshad, of Diary of a Badman fame, speaks to us about his new book Little Badman, the difference between writing comedy for adults and children, and the importance for children to see themselves reflected in the books they read.But Humza’s famous for telling not-entirely-true stories: how’s he going to get anyone to believe him? Henry and I want to send little Humza on another crazy adventure, where he'll cause havoc, make a mess, get told off but learn something new about himself.

Recruiting his best friend Umer, his elderly uncle ‘Grandpa’ and Wendy, the smartest girl in school, it seems Humza’s particular musical talent is the only thing that will save his school, town – and possibly the whole world – from potential alien invasion.I’m not saying Umer’s an idiot, but you can only watch someone put their shoes on the wrong feet so many times before you start to wonder. In 2015, Humza performed at one hundred and twenty schools using comedy to prevent at risk teens of becoming radicalised. Oh, and we haven't even mentioned the ancient magical orb causing havoc and very possibly leading to world destruction. Full of action and humour, but perhaps best of all is how Humza grows and changes through the story, and gets his dad to too.