A laugh-out-loud, wacky and exciting story about two brilliant kids taking on an army of evil robots - and trying to get home in time for tea! The first book from a fabulously funny new voice for children, and a member of the writers' room behind Wonka and Paddington 2. I was in the corner shop buying a comic. Dad was waiting outside. I'd just given my money to Mr Norman, the shop owner, when it happened. Mr Norman's head exploded. Something VERY WEIRD is going on in the sleepy town of Cleeby. All the grown-ups are acting strangely. Sandy and his friend Arjan have a suspicion. They think the grown-ups have all been replaced by ROBOTS. And everything points to the evil boss of the local toaster factory, Tony's Toasters! Together with a very friendly cyborg named Colin, Sandy and Arjan must save the day - and Sandy's mum - and get home in time for tea! A brilliant, funny and fast-paced story, featuring a robot whale, jet boots, lasers, mountains of puffin poo, huge amounts of toast, and illustrations by Tim Wesson, this is the perfect next read for fans of Pamela Butchart's BABY ALIENS series and Emily-Jane Clark's BEASTS OF KNOBBLY BOTTOM.

Details

ISBN13: 9780241767450
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 256
Edition:
Publication Date: 15 Sep 2026
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK
Publication City, Country: United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.7(H)x12.8(L)x1.8(W)186
Weight (gm): 186

Author Biography

Alex Kirk (Author) Alex Kirk grew up in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, which has brilliant beaches and the best fish and chips in the entire world. He has worked in a fish finger factory, as a plumber, a gardener, an English teacher, and for the last twenty-five years as a screenwriter, actor and comedian. Alex has written comedy shows for both radio and television, as well as being part of the writing team behind the wonderful Paddington 2 and Wonka. As an actor he has appeared in many TV productions such as My Family, Fresh Meat, The Detectorists and Coronation Street. He now lives in London with his family and a cat called Jonesey. His first book is called ROBOTS STOLE MY MUM! Tim Wesson (Illustrator) As a young boy, Tim Wesson loved climbing trees and drawing pictures of dogs in cars. This heady mix of fun, freedom and art led to his career as a globally published children's illustrator, which has seen him illustrate and author books across a wide variety of formats. Tim's illustrations are full of humour, doodles and fun characters; he takes great delight in turning the world on its head and inviting children to go on the ride with him. Tim lives by the sea in Suffolk with his lovely family.

Reviews

I'm never eating toast again. If this is a made-up story, it's hilarious. If it's true, IT'S TERRIFYING! -- Mackenzie Crook
This debut is SO funny. A great chapter book for Phoenix fans -- Cariad Lloyd
Warning! Laughing at this book may cause you to short circuit! -- Phil Earle, author of FINN'S EPIC FAILS
Completely hilarious -- Piers Torday, author of THE LAST WILD
An absolute supercharged robotic riot of a yarn . . . highly recommend! -- Ben Willbond
Inventive, bonkers and outrageously funny -- Isy Suttie
A funny and genuinely thrilling robotastic adventure. If only all books were this exciting. Your parents will be stealing it to read themselves! -- Danny Robins
Alex Kirk is brilliantly funny. Kids will love this thrill of a story, and to imagine them laughing to his comedy genius makes the world better -- Miranda Hart
I absolutely loved this fast-paced adventure. Sandy and Arjan are the unlikely heroes that you will wish you could hang out with! Packed with laughs, I was hooked by this wacky story from start to finish -- Emily-Jane Clark, author of THE BEASTS OF KNOBBLY BOTTOM
Laugh-out-loud, zany, and totally TOAST-TASTIC! -- Beth Walker, author of MEDUSA GORGON'S BAD HAIR DAY