Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties

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You're a comedian for adults, so how much of a challenge was it to make sure your jokes and dialogue were suitable for a younger audience in this book? 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? I don’t know if you’ve ever seen any war movies, about Vietnam or Iraq or the Galactic Empire, but none of that compares to what I went through in my final year at school. 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. 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.

I know it's probably not the right thing to say honestly not seeing someone in a book that looked like me definitely meant that I didn't read many books growing up. Such is Little Badman’s gloriously entertaining voice, which drives this school-set mystery and goes up a few notches when he’s in rapping mode (there’s no question that his rhymes are sick).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.

Microwaved pants and killer bees feature in this rib-aching comic caper, heightened with moments of real tenderness and heart. Draw a favourite scene from story, eg maybe from the end of the book when Little Badman performs his rap or the aliens disappear in their spaceship.

What effect do you think not seeing someone a bit like you in a book had on your reading as a child?

Oh, and we haven't even mentioned the ancient magical orb causing havoc and very possibly leading to world destruction.Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties by Humza Arshad and Henry White, read by Humza Arshad.