Bumpfizzle is an alien, sent to Earth from Planet Plonk on a research mission. Or is he really just a ten-year-old boy who is feeling a bit disgruntled at all the attention his parents are lavishing on The Baby? It is up to readers to make up their own minds. Either way, Bumpfizzle's confusion at Earthling behaviours, as reported in his diary and his frequent reports back to Plonk, are hilarious, and his adventures are ridiculous, from eating the cat's food (it makes him throw up, always good for attention) to biting his teacher (to check if humans would make a good source of food for Plonkers) and attempting to sacrifice a goat (he soon discovers what goats' horns are for).

About the Author
Patricia Forde lives in Galway, in the west of Ireland. She has published six books for children, and written two plays, as well as several television drama series for children and teenagers. She has worked as a writer on both English and Irish language soap operas. In another life, she was a primary school teacher and the artistic director of Galway Arts Festival.

Reviews

'Forde's inventive wordsmithing and her instinct for the ridiculous will have kids in stitches.'

* The New York Times *

'The book is rich with contemporary reference and comedy, as Forde uses the alien perspective to offer the reader an alternative view of familiar family conflicts and academic challenges. Elina Braslina's illustrations, meanwhile, bring life to Forde's characters with an expressive clarity that effectively undermines the details of Bumpfizzle's letters and points readers towards his dissembling. But that's aliens for you: they just cannot be trusted.'

* The Irish Times *

'The real triumph, and there are many, is that the narration does not let up at all. Forde is enjoying herself immensely and her enjoyment and energy is infectious.'

-- Des Kenny * The Galway Advertiser *

'The book was funny. It was very funny. There weren't jokes, but it just made me laugh ... People who like books with cartoons, and who read Roald Dahl would probably like this book. If I had to describe it in three words, I would say: "aliens", "funny", "funky" ... and "surprising". I'd recommend it to my friend Brooke. You don't know her.'

-- Sienna (age 11) * The Dublin Inquirer *

'... his purportedly extraterrestrial perspective and bombastic voice propel this tongue-in-cheek misadventure.'

* Publishers Weekly *

'Big changes and the torment that comes with them are given new life on these pages. The accompanying black-and-white illustrations by Braslina are engaging and serve to convey Daniel's frustrations ... Readers, especially middle children, may relate to how alien it can feel when making room for a new addition to the family.'

* School Library Journal *

'An engaging and fun read.'

* NetGalley Reviewer *


Awards
Winner of White Raven 2019.



Book Information
ISBN 9781912417032
Author Patricia Forde
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Little Island
Publisher Little Island