Uma and the Answer to Absolutely Everything

'Fresh and funny' - Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week 
 
The hilarious and moving new book from funny fiction superstar Sam Copeland, author of the bestselling Charlie Changes Into a Chicken. 
 
Uma Gnudersonn has a head full of questions: How can I save my home from being sold? Will my dad ever start talking again? And how do alpacas get drunk? But since her mum died, Uma's life has been short on answers. 
 
Then she finds a genius artificial intelligence called Athena who knows everything. 
 
Suddenly Uma has the answer to any question she can imagine - from the capital of Mozambique to the colour of her headteacher's underpants - and she's going to use them to save her home and her father. 
 
Along the way, Uma will have to confront the sinister inventor who will stop at nothing to get Athena back - and face up to the fact that not all questions have answers . . . 
 
'Utterly brilliant' - Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl 
 
'This fast paced adventure is full of warmth and wit' - Sunday Express 
 
'Slapstick, satire, silliness . . . truly cheering entertainment' - Sunday Times Best Books for Children 2021 
 
'Hilarious and full of heart' - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Costa-award-winning Asha and the Spirit Bird 
 
'Original, hilarious and delightfully madcap' - Katie Tsang, author of Dragon Mountain 
 
'Funnier than an alpaca with a well-honed stand-up routine' - David Solomons, author of My Brother is a Superhero 
 
'Fast, funny and full of heart' - Amy Sparkes, author of The House at the Edge of Magic 
 
'A brilliantly funny story . . . I loved it!' - Cat Doyle, author of The Storm-Keeper's Island 
 
'Comedy gold' - Sibeal Pounder, author of Witch Wars

Fresh and funny . . . truly cheering entertainment

This fast paced adventure is full of warmth and wit

This warm-hearted adventure is packed with silliness and madcap antics

Sam Copeland (Author) Sam Copeland is an author, which has come as something of a surprise to him. He is from Manchester and now lives in London with two smelly cats, three smelly children and one relatively clean-smelling wife. 
 
He is the author of the bestselling Charlie Changes Into a Chicken series (the first book of which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize), Uma and the Answer to Absolutely Everything and Greta and the Ghost Hunters. With Jenny Pearson, he has also written Tuchus &amp; Topps Investigate: The Underpants of Chaos and Tuchus &amp; Topps Investigate: The Attack of the Robot Librarians. 
 
Despite legal threats, he refuses to stop writing. Sarah Horne (Illustrator) Sarah Horne has been an illustrator for over fifteen years, she started her career working for newspapers such as the Guardian and the Independent On Sunday and has since illustrated many funny young fiction titles. 
She works traditionally with a dip pen and Indian ink, and finishes the work digitally.

Uma Gnudersonn has a head full of questions: How can I save my home from being sold? Will my dad ever start talking again? And how do alpacas get drunk? But since her mum died, Uma's life has been short on answers. 
 
Then she finds a genius artificial intelligence called Athena who knows everything. 
 
Suddenly Uma has the answer to any question she can imagine - from the capital of Mozambique to the colour of her headteacher's underpants - and she's going to use them to save her home and her father. 
 
Along the way, Uma will have to confront the sinister inventor who will stop at nothing to get Athena back - and face up to the fact that not all questions have answers . . . 
 
Praise for Charlie Changes Into a Chicken: 
 
'Belly-busting hilarity' The Guardian 
'The modern masterpiece . . . this savvy, comic tale ticks every box' The Daily Telegraph 
'The best kind of silly' The Observer 
'Laugh-out-loud funny' The Mail on Sunday

Charlie Morphs Into a Mammoth

The third hilarious adventure for Charlie McGuffin, the boy who changes into animals when he gets nervous. 
 
Charlie McGuffin is an actual superhero. He's gained control over his wacky ability to change into animals - he's even able to use it to turn the tables on school bully Dylan. 
 
But there are some things Charlie can't control, like the arguments his parents keep having (which are making him more worried than ever) or the mysterious animal disappearances spreading through town (which might be connected to Charlie himself). 
 
Can Charlie unravel the mystery of the pet-nappings before his biggest secret is revealed to the world...? 
 
Praise for Charlie Changes into a Chicken: 
 
'My body couldn't help but shake with laughter' Maren, age 10 
 
'Belly-busting hilarity' The Guardian 
 
'Cleverly daft storytelling at its very, very best' Maz Evans, author of Who Let The Gods Out? 
 
'The best kind of silly' The Observer 
 
Charlie Changes into a Chicken has been: 
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize! 
Longlisted for the Brandford Boase Award! 
Longlisted for the Blue Peter Award! 
The Guardian and The Telegraph's Book of the Year!

Fresh and funny . . . like a modern-day Dahl

Charlie McGuffin is closer than ever to being able to control his crazy ability to turn into animals, but there are some things he can't control, like the arguments his parents keep having (which are making him more worried than ever) or the spate of mysterious animal disappearances spreading through town (which seem somehow to be connected to Charlie himself) or the fact that he doesn't have a date for the school dance (which is coming up fast). With the support of best friends Flora, Mohsen and Wogan, can Charlie unravel the mystery of the pet-nappings in time to shake a tail-feather at the disco? Or will his hidden adversary reveal Charlie's biggest secret to the world...?

Charlie Turns Into a T-Rex

A Waterstones Paperback of the Year! 
 
What happens when you feel stressed? Maybe you start sweating, or your heart beats faster. 
 
 When Charlie McGuffin gets stressed, something a little bit different happens: he turns into an animal! 
 
Unfortunately, things are getting quite stressful for Charlie: 
 
- His dad's business is in real trouble 
 - He might have to move in with his Aunt Brenda and her seventeen cats (and wooden leg) 
 - And it's getting harder and harder to control his powers 
 
Luckily, Charlie's best friends Flora, Wogan and Mohsen are on hand to help. 
 
If they can break into the fortress-like offices of Van Der Gruyne Industries and recover the McGuffins' stolen gold, maybe Charlie won't have to move away after all. 
 
Can Charlie's friends help him master his powers once and for all, or will he end up stuck as a pigeon forever? 
 
Praise for Charlie Changes into a Chicken: 
 
'Belly-busting hilarity' The Guardian 
 
'The modern masterpiece . . . this savvy, comic tale ticks every box' The Daily Telegraph 
 
'Full of heart and humour, wit and wisdom' Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs 
 
'Wonderfully heart-warming and absolutely hilarious' Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island 
 
Charlie Changes into a Chicken has been: 
 
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize! 
Longlisted for the Brandford Boase Award! 
Longlisted for the Blue Peter Award! 
The Guardian and The Telegraph's Book of the Year!

'The modern masterpiece' - Daily Telegraph 
 
When dad's business takes a sudden turn for the worse, the McGuffin family face the terrible prospect of having to sell their house and move in with Aunt Brenda and her seventeen cats (and wooden leg). 
 
Only Charlie and best friends Flora, Mohsen and Wogan can save the day. If they can break into the fortress-like offices of Van Der Gruyne Industries and recover the McGuffins' stolen gold, maybe Charlie won't have to move away after all. 
 
Trouble is, the pressure is getting to Charlie, making it harder for him to control when he changes into an animal - and harder still to change back. Can Charlie's friends help him master his powers once and for all, or will he end up stuck as a pigeon forever . . . ? 
 
The second book in this middle grade series perfect for David Walliams fans is a hilarious blend of humour and heart, brilliantly illustrated by Sarah Horne. 
 
'So good you'll cluck with laughter' - Pamela Butchart

Charlie Changes Into a Chicken

Charlie McGuffin has an incredible secret . . . 
 
He can change into animals. All sorts of animals: a flea, a pigeon, even a rhino. 
 
Trouble is, he can't decide when - it only happens when he gets worried. And right now, Charlie has quite a lot to worry about: 
 
· His brother (who is in hospital) 
 
· His parents (who are panicking about it) 
 
· And the school bully (who has Charlie in his sights) 
 
And even though every kid wants a superhero power, Charlie isn't keen on changing into a chicken in the middle of the school play. 
 
So with the help of his three best friends, Charlie needs to find a way of dealing with his crazy new power - and fast! 
 
The first book in a hilarious new series for fans of Roald Dahl and David Walliams! 
 
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize! 
Longlisted for the Brandford Boase Award! 
Longlisted for the Blue Peter Award! 
The Guardian and The Telegraph's Children's Book of the Year! 
_______ 
 
Praise for Charlie Changes into a Chicken: 
 
'Belly-busting hilarity' The Guardian 
 
'The modern masterpiece . . . this savvy, comic tale ticks every box' The Daily Telegraph 
 
'The best kind of silly' The Observer 
 
'Full of heart and humour, wit and wisdom, and rivers of rhino poo' Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs 
 
'Wonderfully heart-warming and absolutely hilarious' Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island

Cleverly daft storytelling at its very, very best

Maz Evans, author of Who Let The Gods Out?

Jeremy Strong, author of My Brother’s Famous Bottom

Full of heart and humour, wit and wisdom, and rivers of rhino poo

Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs

Wonderfully heart-warming and absolutely hilarious

Cat Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island

Laugh out loud funny, with an important underlying message on how to cope with anxiety

Abie Longstaff, author of How To Catch a Witch

Fresh and funny - this reads like a modern-day Dahl

Christopher Edge, author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

In the words of Jean-Claude the pigeon, I am in love with this most delicious, beautiful and delectable book and I wish to fly away with it!

Laura Ellen Anderson, author of Amelia Fang and Witch Wars

Brilliant, laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving

Pamela Butchart, author of Baby Aliens Got My Teacher

I laughed out loud at the part about yin and yang and win and wang. Oh, and the rhino poo - giant poo will never not be funny.

Lara Williamson, author of A Boy Called Hope and The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean

One of the most hyped children's debut of the decade.. Here is the modern masterpiece: a book that is full of laughs, while also exploring childhood anxiety.. This is a touching and engaging story. This savvy, comic tale ticks every box.

This really is one of the funniest, freshest debuts I've read in a long time. Delightfully silly and utterly heartfelt.. Comedy is hard to do right, but Copeland's enviable timing and knack for properly laugh-out-loud jokes set this apart. Charlie's experiences in animal form are comedy gold... it is just genius. A real delight and deserves to be huge.

An adventure of fantastical proportions.. a comic novel which fans of Kid Normal will flock to

This is a book that isn't what you expect, cleverly portraying ways of dealing with stress and anxiety..This is a brilliant and positive debut from Sam Copeland

Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike Series

Charlie Changes Into a Chicken is a gloriously fun, madcap adventure with a celebration of friendship at its heart.

Anna James, author of Pages & Co: Tilly and the Book Wanderers

A clever and hilarious story with a hero you'll love... I'm already looking forward to the next one

A brilliant debut . . . laugh-out-loud funny

Gloriously silly, gleefully naughty and totally entertaining

Michelle Harrison, author of A Pinch of Magic

For readers of about seven-plus, Sam Copeland's debut Charlie Changes Into a Chicken (Puffin) is a stand-out star, offering belly-busting hilarity and a loving, light touch take on childhood anxiety . . . A supportive cast of friends (fiendishly clever Flora in particular), subtly planted strategies for coping with worry, and some joyfully silly metanarrative tricks (including a publisher's letter of apology) place Charlie head and shoulders above the competition; Sarah Horne's wild-haired, twitch-eyed illustrations add another layer to the fun.

An essential talent, full of the best of Roald Dahl and David Walliams

Fantastically ridiculous and silly in equal measures . . . will have readers snorting with giggles

"One of the most hyped children's debut of the decade.. Here is the modern masterpiece: a book that is full of laughs, while also exploring childhood anxiety.. This is a touching and engaging story. This savvy, comic tale ticks every box."

"A stand-out star, offering belly-busting hilarity.. Head and shoulders above the competition."

The Guardian, Children's Books of the Month

"A brilliant debut... a book that is not only laugh-out-loud funny but offers important advice about coping with anxiety."

The Mail on Sunday, Children's Books of the Month

The Observer, Children's Books of the Month

"An essential talent, full of the best of Roald Dahl"

"This is one of the best children's tales we've come across in years... hilariously funny but with proper heart.. providing laughter on every page, it's a sure-fire debut hit."

"This really is one of the funniest, freshest debuts I've read in a long time. Delightfully silly and utterly heartfelt.. Comedy is hard to do right, but Copeland's enviable timing and knack for properly laugh-out-loud jokes set this apart. Charlie's experiences in animal form are comedy gold... it is just genius. A real delight and deserves to be huge."

"An adventure of fantastical proportions.. a comic novel which fans of Kid Normal will flock to"

"A great example of a kids' book with lots of humour."

"Sam Copeland's debut is brilliant, laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving. However, Charlie Changes into a Chicken is not just a joyous read, through its relentlessly hilarious narrative it ingeniously communicates an important message for children who struggle with anxiety or are confronted by difficulties in their life. A great debut is one that you feel must have always existed, and this is one of those books. Every school library needs to have multiple copies and may I recommend it to every single parent out there."

"Fresh and funny - this reads like a modern-day Dahl."

Christopher Edge, author of The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day

"This is a book that isn't what you expect, cleverly portraying ways of dealing with stress and anxiety..This is a brilliant and positive debut from Sam Copeland"

"This is a glorious debut from an exciting new voice in children's comedy fiction. Sam Copeland WILL turn into a megastar on the strength of this first outing. Cleverly daft storytelling at its very, very best."

Maz Evans, author of Who Let The Gods Out

Robin Stevens, author of A Murder Most Unladylike series

"Wonderfully heart-warming and absolutely hilarious."

Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island

"Gloriously silly, gleefully naughty, totally entertaining. So good, in fact, that I HAD to finish it once my son was asleep!"

"Charlie Changes Into a Chicken is a gloriously fun, madcap adventure with a celebration of friendship at its heart."

"A heart-warming story that has led to comparisons with such celebrated authors as David Walliams and David Solomons. But this is no ordinary children's story. ... (it) doesn't just entertain his readers but can actually help them to deal with their anxieties."

"In the words of Jean-Claude the pigeon... I am in love with this most delicious, beautiful and delectable book and I wish to fly away with it!"

Laura Ellen Anderson, author of the Amelia Fang series

"A clever and hilarious story with a hero you'll love... I'm already looking forward to the next one"

"Laugh-out-loud funny, with an important underlying message on how to cope with anxiety."

"A side-splitting debut... fantastically ridiculous... will have readers snorting with giggles."

Charlie McGuffin has an incredible secret... 
 
He can change into animals. All sorts of animals, in fact: a flea, a pigeon, even a rhino. 
 
Trouble is, it only happens when he gets worried, and right now, Charlie has quite a lot to worry about: 
 
 His brother (who's in hospital) 
 His parents (who are panicking) 
 And the school bully (who has Charlie in his sights) 
 
With the help of his three best friends, Charlie needs to find a way to deal with his crazy new power - and fast.

Sam Copeland

Sarah Horne

L.D. Lapinski - author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

Greta Woebegone did not believe in ghosts until the day she was knocked over by a car and almost died. Then everything changed... 
 
Now Greta can not only see the spirits that haunt her ancestral home - she can talk to them too, from her grumpy Grandpa Woebegone and Percy the poo-pushing plague victim, to the sinister spook in the cellar. 
 
Can Greta help the ghosts avoid being exorcised (a fate worse than undeath)? Can the ghosts help Greta stop her beloved Grandma being put in a home? And can they all help each other overcome the pain in their past that's holding them back from the future? 
 
From the acclaimed author of Charlie Changes Into a Chicken comes a touching and side-splitting new story guaranteed to delight readers of nine and up.

Sarah Horne

Praise for Greta and the Ghost Hunters

Hilarious, fast-paced and full of heart

Funny, engaging and utterly heartfelt

Books by Sarah Horne

Series by Sarah Horne

Charlie Changes Into a Chicken

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