I have a special bookcase for my ‘permanent collection’ – the books I go back to over and over again – and it’s impossible to narrow then down to my absolute favourite (a question I’m asked at every single school visit I do), but for a fun comfort read, I’m going to go with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I’m sure you know it: “So long, and thanks for all the fish” and the answer is 42 etc; but just incase, in a nutshell, Arthur Dent, in his dressing gown, gets whisked onto a spaceship when Earth is demolished for a hyperspace bypass. Luckily, he has his towel with him.

I vividly recall stumbling across the radio series on my way home from school one day in the 1980s. My dad and I sat in the car outside the house laughing our heads off so it has happy family memories, and it still makes me laugh. I listened to the rest of the series on the radio, then got a copy from the library. My own well-read copy is from 1992.

By the way, I also love the 2005 movie version – no book vs. movie arguments from me. It probably won’t surprise anyone, but Red Dwarf is my comfort comedy TV series. I can quote huge chunks from memory. Given this, why I haven’t written a sci-fi comedy is a complete mystery.

Luckily, I don’t have to write one, because Claire Fayers has done it for me. I’m a huge fan of hers and over the past few years have recommended Storm Hound to many young readers. So I was very excited to hear about Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine.

And I was even more honoured to be asked to provide a quote for the cover, and receive a shiny proof copy. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a proof copy and a final published book is, this is it. Actually I love the proof cover, but the colour on the final cover really makes it zing.

Anyway, here is what I wrote for the publisher to pick an extract from to use on the cover.

Pack your towel, we’re off on a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy style adventure! As always, Fayers has created a totally unique world, and populated it with a fabulous collection of weird and wacky characters from lobster mobsters to talking plants. It’s fast and funny, with a message on our responsibility for the environment, plus I reckon it’s a great way to start conversations with any young readers trying to understand the devastating impact of dementia.

Lexi Rees review of Tapper Watson

So what did they use? Here it is on the cover!

What do you get when you cross Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy with The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman? Tapper Watson. I’m going to put this down for my 2023 book of the year. Enjoy!