The Great Galloon

Like MUPPETS TREASURE ISLAND. But a little less fur. And in the sky. The Great Galloon is an enormous airship, built by Captain Meredith Anstruther and manned by his crew, who might seem like a bit of a motley bunch but who are able to fight off invading marauders whilst drinking tea and sweeping floors! Captain Anstruther is preparing to marry the beautiful Lady Isabella, but disaster strikes when his evil younger brother comes aboard for the wedding and steals Isabella away onto his underwater Sumbaroon. Stanley, a clever boy with a small horn, and Rasmussen, a reluctant countess-to-be, are busy waiting for an adventure to begin. Instead they have to fight off BeheMoths, avoid enormous Seagles, encounter the terrifying (but nice really) Brunt and save the Galloon from sinking. How will they ever find the Captain's bride when nothing's happening? THE GREAT GALLOON is a humorous CAPTAIN PUGWASH meets MONTY PYTHON adventure perfect for reading aloud and for growing readers looking for a silly, funny book. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom has mainly worked in the theatre throughout his adult life, running a small company called the Network of Stuff with friends and making up and telling stories to young people and adults. He has also worked with the acclaimed children's theatre company Tall Stories, devising and performing in shows such as The Gruffalo and Them With Tails all over the world. As well as all this he has worked as a question writer for TV quiz shows, a Tudor huntsman, an ineffectual bookseller, a youth theatre director and, a long time ago, as a secret shopper for a Trading Standards department, with a camera in his backpack and a keen sense of justice. Tom lives with his partner Sarah, their two children and an improbably loud three-legged cat in a non-trendy part of North London. Follow Tom on Twitter: @tombanx REVIEWS Tom Banks' first novel is a rollicking adventure', Kitty Empire, The Observer 'A smashing debut from Tom Banks, this rollicking airborne adventure is a welcome twist of imagination and humour to a well-worn genre.', We Love This Book 'This swashbuckling adventure grabs readers by the scruff of the neck from the very first page ... Banks creates an imaginative and whimsical world filled with characters and adventures that will leave you wanting more.', Booktrust