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Bumface
Angus dreams of being bold, brave, wild and free, like Bumface the pirate in the stories he tells his younger siblings. Instead he's his mum's Mr Dependable, always looking after the younger ones and cleaning up. He's desperate to stop his mum adding another baby to the family so comes up with a plan to prevent her getting pregnant. With a bit of help from his new friend, Rindi, he might just do it . . .
181 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
14 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Morris Gleitzman
121 books976 followersMorris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 15, 2016
Excellent! I'm always impressed with Morris Gleitzman, an Antipodean Morpurgo.
This has possibly the best opening line I've ever come across in a children's book (and possibly an adult's) - one I had to read a couple of times to make sure I'd interpreted it correctly. Warning to teachers - if you're reading this out loud there ARE a few (mildly) rude words!
Anyway, this opening is GUARANTEED to capture attention and get a reader continuing. A very funny start, but this soon turned serious for me as I saw the direction the story was taking.
Angus seems like a pretty 11-year-old. Obsessed with pirates, he daydreams a bit in school. But outside of school, we see he's actually almost a sole carer for two younger siblings as his mother fulfils her own dreams as a TV star (with a perfect family, one her real family tune into each night in order to see their mum), and their three separate dads play hand-round-the-kids in order to live THEIR own lives. Angus pulls himself taut trying to look after the brother and sister he loves and have his own childhood.
It that wasn't enough of a theme for a sub 200-page children's book, Gleitzman manages to interweave a new friend into Angus's story, *SPOILER ALERT* an Asian girl who is having her own family issues with an unwanted marriage. *END SPOILER ALERT*
The two stories mesh together brilliantly, and Angus is adorably selfless and kind at trying to put everyone else first.
I found myself becoming more and more furious at Angus's mother and father (and stepfathers) at their, quite frankly neglect and abusive behaviour towards the children. Well written, as Gleitzman manages to keep the tone relatively light, in all but a few key scenes, so readers shouldn't become too distressed at the way Angus is treated. As mother to a young boy myself, I was quite upset thinking about my own boy in this situation and what kind of parent that would make me.
The reader, though, will probably not come to this book from that angle. The characters manage to handle quite adult themes in wonderfully naive yet mature ways, talking about IUDs for example quite matter-of-factly.
While this is probably a simple enough read for a 10-12 year old, we do have contraception, sex, pregnancy as key themes in the story so less mature readers may not be ready to read this solo. They WILL have questions!
There are some very sweet and realistic scenes with Angus's siblings (usually involving dripping ice cream - and nappies!), and a lovely relationship developing between Angus and Rindi. The book manages to gently mock TV soaps and male models, and as an adult, I found it a thought-provoking read, which surprised me.
I would recommend this for KS3 particularly, though upper end of primary school will doubtless want to read this for the title (and first line) alone, though it may not be judged right for all 10-11 year olds by parents. It covers some important themes and raises a lot of questions.
This has possibly the best opening line I've ever come across in a children's book (and possibly an adult's) - one I had to read a couple of times to make sure I'd interpreted it correctly. Warning to teachers - if you're reading this out loud there ARE a few (mildly) rude words!
Anyway, this opening is GUARANTEED to capture attention and get a reader continuing. A very funny start, but this soon turned serious for me as I saw the direction the story was taking.
Angus seems like a pretty 11-year-old. Obsessed with pirates, he daydreams a bit in school. But outside of school, we see he's actually almost a sole carer for two younger siblings as his mother fulfils her own dreams as a TV star (with a perfect family, one her real family tune into each night in order to see their mum), and their three separate dads play hand-round-the-kids in order to live THEIR own lives. Angus pulls himself taut trying to look after the brother and sister he loves and have his own childhood.
It that wasn't enough of a theme for a sub 200-page children's book, Gleitzman manages to interweave a new friend into Angus's story, *SPOILER ALERT* an Asian girl who is having her own family issues with an unwanted marriage. *END SPOILER ALERT*
The two stories mesh together brilliantly, and Angus is adorably selfless and kind at trying to put everyone else first.
I found myself becoming more and more furious at Angus's mother and father (and stepfathers) at their, quite frankly neglect and abusive behaviour towards the children. Well written, as Gleitzman manages to keep the tone relatively light, in all but a few key scenes, so readers shouldn't become too distressed at the way Angus is treated. As mother to a young boy myself, I was quite upset thinking about my own boy in this situation and what kind of parent that would make me.
The reader, though, will probably not come to this book from that angle. The characters manage to handle quite adult themes in wonderfully naive yet mature ways, talking about IUDs for example quite matter-of-factly.
While this is probably a simple enough read for a 10-12 year old, we do have contraception, sex, pregnancy as key themes in the story so less mature readers may not be ready to read this solo. They WILL have questions!
There are some very sweet and realistic scenes with Angus's siblings (usually involving dripping ice cream - and nappies!), and a lovely relationship developing between Angus and Rindi. The book manages to gently mock TV soaps and male models, and as an adult, I found it a thought-provoking read, which surprised me.
I would recommend this for KS3 particularly, though upper end of primary school will doubtless want to read this for the title (and first line) alone, though it may not be judged right for all 10-11 year olds by parents. It covers some important themes and raises a lot of questions.
March 23, 2014
This book was written in quirky humorous tone, but dealt with serious subject matter. I like how that juxtaposition works. In this book a twelve year old boy is left to to look after a six year old and a toddler each day after school and most of the weekend. he does everything from picking the children up from school, to changing nappies, buying the groceries and cooking dinner.
The adults (I hesitate to label them parents as they are clearly lacking)are all self obsessed with their own careers/projects, and all assume that one of the others is there to be doing it. Meanwhile The children muddle through together. They even actively try to hide the situation so that the press won't publish negative things about their mum (she is an actress) and put her out of work. They also worry about social services taking them into care.
Even at the end of the book when it looks like things are going to change, the change the adults have in mind mean more work for the poor lad, and the adults are still assuming that someone else will step up.I wonder how many other children are the family caretaker and we just don't know about it? I suspect more than we would be comfortable with.
The adults (I hesitate to label them parents as they are clearly lacking)are all self obsessed with their own careers/projects, and all assume that one of the others is there to be doing it. Meanwhile The children muddle through together. They even actively try to hide the situation so that the press won't publish negative things about their mum (she is an actress) and put her out of work. They also worry about social services taking them into care.
Even at the end of the book when it looks like things are going to change, the change the adults have in mind mean more work for the poor lad, and the adults are still assuming that someone else will step up.I wonder how many other children are the family caretaker and we just don't know about it? I suspect more than we would be comfortable with.
June 1, 2013
Well read by the author. This book is a bit dated - Tamagotchi plays a bit role - but still funny and relate-able. Angus is "Mr. Dependable" to his mom, dad, and (mom's former partners) number two and number three. But he worries that if his soap-star mom keeps having kids, he'll never get to have his own life. At 12, he is already raising his little brother and baby sister basically on his own. Only his alternate ego, the titular pirate Bumface, gets to act like a kid.
Bumface is a funny - and sad! - book about kids with adult responsibilities forced on them. It reads more like a kids' book but may have some content younger ones might not understand.
Bumface is a funny - and sad! - book about kids with adult responsibilities forced on them. It reads more like a kids' book but may have some content younger ones might not understand.
Currently reading
May 26, 2011i think that bumface is a funny, humorous and interesting book that has lots of twists and turns. It's about a boy called Angus Solomon
who has an action packed life and it keeps getting more and more exciting. With the school play, his family, his friends and russel hinch in his hands you'll never know what happens next.
who has an action packed life and it keeps getting more and more exciting. With the school play, his family, his friends and russel hinch in his hands you'll never know what happens next.
August 12, 2025
Una bimba indiana ha paura di essere violentata e rimanere incinta da un uomo più grande di lei che è costretta a sposare tramite un matrimonio combinato quindi va a caccia di spirali anticoncezionali.
Ah c'è anche un bambino che si finge pirata
Ah c'è anche un bambino che si finge pirata
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
Didn't feel comfortable to read past page 7. Not my style.
March 28, 2015
I remember reading this when I was a kid, and thinking that it was hilarious, but reading it again as an adult I found it to have some really awful themes. I know as kids we like to read books about really independent child heroes, but I think this book takes it too far. What I found to be the most disturbing factor in this story is that I know that there are kids who actually have to deal with the kind of crap Angus puts up with, with no help from any kind of authority. That kind if situation is a tragedy and it's sad that Morris Gleitzman feels he can make fun of it.
January 9, 2015
I think that the book is funny because the book is of a kid who struggles to take care of his siblings because his mom is working at the TV station and the last thing he wants is his mom to have another baby. Then he meets a girl called Rindi then he realizes that she had a bigger problem then his...
September 13, 2016
Oddly reminiscent of Facemum in momentary flashes, this is the story of a boy forced to grow up too quickly by caring for his siblings while let down by parents. Chuck in a subplot of forced marriage and this is a very readable tale for ks3.
May 10, 2014
Definitely not a kid's book. Don't understand how the author can get this story published.
April 3, 2015
Morris deals with some very real-life situations that are frightening but encouraging because of how he writes. A wonderful story for older kids and YA.
July 8, 2015
Morris Gleitzman was one of my absolute favourite childhood authors - I even got his autograph! His books are light and easy to read and have a comedic value only Andy Griffiths could match.
February 26, 2016
It's funny, quirky and unusual, with believable situations and characters. The only reason I gave it 3 is because it tries to cram a few too many issues into a short story.
May 15, 2025
I have been searching for this book for so many years!!! I remember reading this in primary school because I stumbled upon it in the b section. I think I found it hilarious that we had a book in the school library called ‘Bumface’. And then I found it even more funny because the book had the word sex in it lol
Years later I find myself still thinking about this book wanting to read it again because I’d forgotten what happened in it. I just remembered that the book talked about sex, babies, and family clinics.
Reading the book felt very nostalgic to me mainly because I haven’t read a book that is intended for a younger audience in a few years.
But it did get old very quickly.
That was only because of the adults and/or the authority figures in Angus’s life. I felt so horrible for this kid because no one would listen to him :( I thought maybe if I tead this as an adult that I would get where the parents/adults are coming from (e.g. king triton from the little mermaid) but nope they’re just straight up selfish assholes lmao
Plus the whole storyline that Rindi goes through is so horrifying, I know it’s fiction and I know this is a kids book and that it was done in a comedic fashion but still there are kids out there that experience child marriage and even die from it :( but I’m glad she was safe in the end.
The ending was not very good, I wish Angus had been able to strip the responsibility of being a parental figure to his younger siblings and even to his mother and father/s(?). We kinda get it but it was a bait to be funny but even then that’s more frustrating.
Overall it’s an okay book, there is talk about sex and reproduction that completely flew over my head as a kid. I knew the word sex but didn’t completely know what it meant, it was just a funny adult word like ‘shit’ or ‘fuck’ etc. Horrible parents/adults that children love to read about, and the word bumface is prevalent throughout the book.
Years later I find myself still thinking about this book wanting to read it again because I’d forgotten what happened in it. I just remembered that the book talked about sex, babies, and family clinics.
Reading the book felt very nostalgic to me mainly because I haven’t read a book that is intended for a younger audience in a few years.
But it did get old very quickly.
That was only because of the adults and/or the authority figures in Angus’s life. I felt so horrible for this kid because no one would listen to him :( I thought maybe if I tead this as an adult that I would get where the parents/adults are coming from (e.g. king triton from the little mermaid) but nope they’re just straight up selfish assholes lmao
Plus the whole storyline that Rindi goes through is so horrifying, I know it’s fiction and I know this is a kids book and that it was done in a comedic fashion but still there are kids out there that experience child marriage and even die from it :( but I’m glad she was safe in the end.
The ending was not very good, I wish Angus had been able to strip the responsibility of being a parental figure to his younger siblings and even to his mother and father/s(?). We kinda get it but it was a bait to be funny but even then that’s more frustrating.
Overall it’s an okay book, there is talk about sex and reproduction that completely flew over my head as a kid. I knew the word sex but didn’t completely know what it meant, it was just a funny adult word like ‘shit’ or ‘fuck’ etc. Horrible parents/adults that children love to read about, and the word bumface is prevalent throughout the book.
September 29, 2024
This story has a fantastic opening and some good comic moments. However, it deals with some pretty big topics such as child neglect, a young carer and arranged marriage. There is only a partial resolution to the latter of these issues. Worst of all, at no point do any of the adults in the book help the children and no one seems to notice anything is wrong. Hopefully more recent editions of the book have details at the back of where children can go for help with these issues. I'm not quite sure who it is aimed at either. The juvenile humour suggests younger readers wanting a funny book but the issues involved are more likely to interest older readers.
May 15, 2023
This book surprised me - there's much more to it than the blurb indicates. It also has one of the funniest opening scenes I've read in ages! Eleven-year-old Angus has more parents than most kids, but even combined they barely add up to one half-decent parent. Responsible Angus is sick of having to look after his younger half-siblings and doesn't want his mum to have any more babies. Then there's the worry of his friend's impending arranged marriage. How can kids solve these very serious problems? Recommended for readers aged 10+ (and adults should be prepared to discuss it with them).
August 23, 2019
just a book to read I presume, I don't see the problem with the girl getting married to Patel who is supposedly handsome and rich page 132 "my parents have a large and luxurious house. I will take her to art galleries, political meetings and classical concerts" oh yes please, and it's not like she can't cheat on him - I do not condone that btw lol. the ending was sick.
April 18, 2025
At its heart it is a nice story, but a bit too much focus on sex and babies for the appeal of seeming to be “naughty”. Also, what terrible parents.
We listened to the audiobook read by Gleitzman himself.
We listened to the audiobook read by Gleitzman himself.
September 24, 2025
great story poor ending
Angus’ story is heartwarming, funny and engaging. The ending was a bit disappointing…. I read it to my girls who were both left wondering if and when Angus’ parents would give him the attention he deserves.
Angus’ story is heartwarming, funny and engaging. The ending was a bit disappointing…. I read it to my girls who were both left wondering if and when Angus’ parents would give him the attention he deserves.
May 19, 2017
Ok, Not the best but still good.
Read
July 1, 2020Wouldn't recommend for anyone under 12 maybe 13
Great book very funny
Deals with difficult real life problems
Great book very funny
Deals with difficult real life problems
April 29, 2021
This book was good
February 7, 2022
I I thought this was a brilliant book, but I have *no* idea how it got through enough gatekeepers to be published for a middle grade audience!
Read
October 9, 2022God this threw me years and years back
October 19, 2024
This book is a little bit sadder but also a whole lot funnier when you read it as an adult. Morris Gleitzman will always be one of my favourite authors.
June 21, 2025
Greatly entertaining read with some grown up themes approached decently. Ideal for children and adults looking for an easier read/listen.
January 23, 2023
I'm astonished by this book. As always in a Morris Gleitzman book, the writing is excellent with a jauntiness that belies the issues addressed. I love the child characters and zany scenes. However, I'm unsure what age of child this book is aimed at. The main characters are 10/11 but the subject matter is so sad and difficult once the jolly tone is stripped away that I would hesitate to give it to a child younger than 14 and then they may be put off by the front cover illustration.
As an adult, I found the book heartbreaking and appreciated the message that children need loving, appropriate parenting powerful and moving.
As an adult, I found the book heartbreaking and appreciated the message that children need loving, appropriate parenting powerful and moving.
September 28, 2009
Cute kids story about a famous actress mum with 3 kids who is at work long hours and the kids have to fend for themselves. Then the oldest kid meets a girl in town called Rindi who is Indian decent and who is very unhappy about her arranged marriage. There are lots of plots about how to get Rindi out of this arranged marriage and being sent to live in India with her future husband.
May 26, 2011
Bumface is an exremily funny book but also its very serious. The begging was the best when there was a unexspected question "Is that a penis in your book" and then Angus the boy says no its a submarine and then he gets in trouble because he didnt draw a penis in his book. I recomend this book for 11 to 13 year olds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2017
Morris Gleitzman was a favorite author when I was in primary school and I read everything he put out. The covers were quirky and weird, and every time I laughed and wanted more.
*Note, I haven't read these books since I was a child myself, so this review will be repeated across all of Gleitzman's books I marked as read many years ago ;)
*Note, I haven't read these books since I was a child myself, so this review will be repeated across all of Gleitzman's books I marked as read many years ago ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews