Robodog: The incredibly funny new illustrated children’s book for 2023, from the multi-million bestselling author of SPACEBOY

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As a massive fan of David Walliams, I was excited to get my hands on this book. I had high hopes for this one but unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. I have a few ideas on why this book didn’t work for me but it genuinely surprised me that I didn’t love this book. He’s the newest recruit at the Police Dog School and is supercharged for adventure. But can he stop the most feared duo in Bedlam, and their evil plans to ruin the city . . .?’

Little Britain’, which he co-created with Matt Lucas, started on Radio 4 and soon progressed to BBC1. The show has won numerous international awards including three BAFTAs, and now plays in over 100 countries. ‘Little Britain Live’ performed to a million people in the UK, Ireland and Australia. David and Matt followed ‘Little Britain’ with the hugely popular spoof airport documentary series 'Come Fly With Me'. This follows on from the success of Grandpa’s Great Escape, Awful Auntie, Demon Dentist, Ratburger and Gangsta Granny. All went straight to Children’s number one on release with Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy selling over a million copies to date.The city of Bedlam has a HUGE crime problem. The Police Chief is stressed out as she can’t seem to get ahead of it, and the entire city is now suffering. There is rubbish everywhere, smog in the air and pollution in the rivers.

The bedlam in Bedlam really steps up. There is a billion dollar robbery to be foiled, where only a rat who swears he’s a mouse can save the day. Velma is determined to wipe not only Robodog off the planet but every other dog in Bedlam, and suddenly every villain has escaped from Bedlam Prison. What is a Robodog to do? The city of Bedlam is desperate; the streets are rat-infested and filthy; the buildings dilapidated, and, worst of all, the inhabitants are ruled by super villains of the underworld. These thugs are captained by the dastardly duo, Mighty Mind, a giant criminal mega-brain living in a fishbowl on wheels, and his henchperson, Hammerhands, a terrifying woman with hammers instead of hands. It was a really cute story, and the bad guys were really good at being bad like Velma. I thought Mighty Mind, Hammerhands, The Chocolatier, The Headmistress and The Politician were all great baddies. I loved that Plank was so silly, I think if Plank could get a medal for anything it would be for being silly. Unlike Dave Pilkey’s somewhat stupid Dog Man, Robodog is not only brave, strong intelligent, and capable of heroic deeds, he is also a very likeable character who cries tears of oil when sad and whose biggest dream is to be a real dog, loved by his human parents. Walliams succeeds in combining his self-confessed love for the canine world with an amusing adventure story for young readers. Ratty, the rat-mouse, also plays a monumental role in teaching Robodog, and thus also the readers, life skills and healthy perceptions, such as acceptance of those different from you and the value of friendship and loyalty. His most recent fiction title, The World’s Worst Children, published on 19th May 2016 sold over 340,000 copies in the UK alone. It went straight to No. 1 on release where it stayed for 4 weeks and also concurred Children’s Books charts, where it stayed at No.1 for 7 weeks. Internationally sales continue to thrive, The World’s Worst Children also went straight to No. 1 in the Australian children’s chart and remained there for three consecutive weeks and reached the No. 1 in the overall book chart in New Zealand.I thought Robodog was a great book for kids, it had some fun and fantastic characters. The Professor, the lost patrol, Robodog and his friend Ratty were my favourite characters. Robodog by David Williams is the perfect book for every dog lover. I absolutely loved the illustrations by Adam Stower. David has proved himself as a dramatic actor in BBC2's 'Capturing Mary' with Dame Maggie Smith, in BBC1's Agatha Christie series 'Partners In Crime', as Frankie Howerd in the biopic ‘Rather You Than Me’ for BBC4, and on the stage in Harold Pinter’s 'No Man’s Land' starring alongside Sir Michael Gambon. He received the Comedy Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his performance as Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ directed by Michael Grandage. Since I am not the target audience for this book, I don’t think my issues with it will affect young readers as there are so many crazy elements to this story for them to love. I can easily see this book becoming a fast favourite with young readers, I am just sad that I didn’t love it as much as I had hoped I would. Robodog is more on the silly side of the Walliams book scale, but there are plenty of laughs for young readers. This would be a great read aloud for years 6 and up, and fine for readers 7+. There are words that will stretch vocabs but all age appropriate.