Shabba me whiskers! It’s one of those Mr Gum books by Andy Stanton. They’re only the craziest, funnest most amazing books for children in the world.

Mr Gum and the Power Crystals Can it really be true that there’s an ancient curse on the town of Lamonic Bibber? And you guessed it, that old roo-de-lally Mr Gum and his trusty sidekick Billy William the Third have something to do with it. But . . . our favourite heroes Polly and Friday and the gingerbread biscuit Alan Taylor (only 15.24 cm tall) are determined to save the town (sigh of relief).

Hang on to your heads and prepare to chuckle like a chipmunk as you’re whisked to the land of talking dogs, silly songs, Old Granny, and the best chase scene you’ve ever seen.

Mr Gum and the Power Crystals is the fourth book in the internationally best-selling series by Andy Stanton, which has won everything from the Blue Peter Book Award (twice) the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Red House Children’s Book Award.