Allen & Unwin
November 2026
ISBN:9781761182228
Publisher:A&U Children’s
Imprint:A & U Children
RRP: $26.99
Leigh Hobbs with the process #1 #2
‘Thrilling and disturbing, a stay at the Boubles Grand Hotel is never boring.’ – Sir Windy and Lady Wanda Whoppa
It’s been a while since we’ve had a new encounter with the unflappable and urbane Mr Badger and what a delight it is to reacquaint ourselves with his illustrious personage [I’ve never watched it only seen glimpses but I’m fairly certain that they based Mr Carson of Downton Abbey on Mr B!].
For this new book Mr Badger is in a full colour large-format picture book which kiddos will absolutely relish, and they will definitely be entranced seeing some of Leigh’s process (as linked above).
Mr Badger is busy organising a VERY important event which is only for grown-ups, a fact that the odious Sylvia, granddaughter of the Boubles owners, Sir Cecil and Lady Celia Smothers-Carruthers, resents deeply and which she has no intention of allowing to proceed smoothly.
Cue considerable nefarious mayhem from the kitchens to the guest suites, missing cleaning equipment and cancelled entertainment. There are reports of some heinous creature causing the chaos but it takes some time for Mr Badger and Miss Pimms to pin down the perpetrator. Your readers will absolutely roar with their approval as they easily identify the troublemaker – with all the gusto of panto audiences yelling out ‘She’s behind you!!’.
How fortunate it is that Mr Badger, ever the consummate professional, is able to salvage the special event with a very diplomatic solution. I’ve not met a reader yet who doesn’t love anarchic humour. They veer between unbridled delight, wishing they could do the same, or a sort of quasi-horror ‘oh that’s going to get them into SO much trouble!‘. And Leigh is one of those creators who constantly supplies exactly that brand of humour..
Not only does Leigh once again excel himself with both text and illustrations – and gorgeous endpapers!! – but the overall design of this one with it’s gold-foil accents especially, will make it a decidedly lovely gift for a Small of your acquaintance or, of course, to add to your collection. Loads of fun which will make for a hilarious read-aloud for kiddos from Prep upwards. Paws down a 5 🦡🦡🏨🦡🦡rating for this one – thanks Leigh for such an enjoyable romp!
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