You’d expect a book by top comic-for-kids James Campbell to make them laugh a lot, and this certainly will. Over 240 illustrated pages he explores the life of pets, in ways that range from the anecdotal to the surreal. Though it’s definitely not an information book, there are some truths slipped in – e.g. Byron took his pet bear to Cambridge University with him – but mostly it’s sheer stream-of-consciousness what-if musings and if it’s unlikely to make readers laugh so much that their knees will fall off, as the cover claims, it will at the very least shake them loose! Illustrator Rob Jones deserves a shout out too for his inventive and varied cartoons.
For real-life pet facts, imaginary stories, and a generally laugh-so-hard-snot-comes-out-your-nose read, this is the only pet book you'll ever need! Written by the outstanding children's comedian James Campbell, prepare yourself for The Funny Life of Pets! But be WARNED - this IS NOT a normal book...You read a normal book by starting on page one and reading to the end (BORING). You can read this book forwards, backwards, sideways, and in approximately 861,000 different ways in-between. This is a book with outrageous facts, hilarious jokes, insanely funny online videos and brilliant stories all about pets, the author, and all sorts of other things. WARNING: Anything you think you might have learned from this book might not be very accurate so should not be used in a school project or as part of homework. Unless of course, you are made of stardust and are as brave as sunshine.
Soon after discovering he could not be a duck James Campbell decided to make children laugh for a living. He now travels around primary schools and literary festivals, telling funny stories and encouraging children to write their own stuff.
James has been on the BBC1 show, Child of Our Time, and CBBC's Blue Peter, where he taught children how to craft their own jokes. Kids love him so much that he has his own Comedy4Kids show called The Funny Thing About... where he talks about this hilarious new book.
