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Hamish and the PDF #1
Hamish and the Worldstoppers
What would YOU do... if the whole world just stopped?
Yes the WHOLE WORLD.
Birds in the air. Planes in the sky. And every single person on the planet - except you!
Because that's what keeps happening to ten-year-old Hamish Ellerby.
And it's being caused by The WorldStoppers and their terrifying friends The Terribles! They have a PLAN! They want to take our world for their own . . .
Oh, and they hate children. Especially if you're a child who knows about them. Hang on - You know now, don't you? Oh dear.
Can Hamish save us from the WorldStoppers? Only time will tell!
Yes the WHOLE WORLD.
Birds in the air. Planes in the sky. And every single person on the planet - except you!
Because that's what keeps happening to ten-year-old Hamish Ellerby.
And it's being caused by The WorldStoppers and their terrifying friends The Terribles! They have a PLAN! They want to take our world for their own . . .
Oh, and they hate children. Especially if you're a child who knows about them. Hang on - You know now, don't you? Oh dear.
Can Hamish save us from the WorldStoppers? Only time will tell!
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
23 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Danny Wallace
61 books639 followersDaniel Frederick Wallace is a British filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and presenter of radio and television. His notable works include the books Join Me, Yes Man, and the TV series How to Start Your Own Country. As an author, Wallace's bestselling books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
He began writing reviews for video game magazines at the age of 13 for school work experience: a reviewer had become ill and so Wallace was given the opportunity to review a game. At 18 he started writing comedy, mainly through the magazine Comedy Review. He specialised in radio production at the University of Westminster.
At 22, he became a BBC producer. He was part of the production team behind British Comedy Award-winning Dead Ringers, the original producer of the critically acclaimed cult hit The Mighty Boosh, and the creator and producer of Ross Noble Goes Global. As a journalist, Wallace has worked for The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Independent, Elle, Cosmo, The Times and other publications.
In 1999, Wallace challenged comedian Dave Gorman, who at the time was his flatmate, to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman ("one for every card in the deck, including the Jokers"). Wallace accompanied Gorman on his quest and the men created Are You Dave Gorman?, an award-winning comedy stage show about what happened during their journey. A BBC series, also co-written and co-produced by Wallace, followed, as did a book, written by both men.
In 2003, Wallace's book Join Me was published. The book explains how he "accidentally started a 'cult'" called Join Me. The movement would go global, with each member committing to undertaking one random act of kindness for a stranger every Friday ("Good Fridays"). Tens of thousands joined. Join Me celebrates "Karmageddon 10" in December 2011. Traditionally, hundreds of members travel to London for the meet-up and undertake good deeds for strangers, with Wallace present. The movement is now generally referred to as the "Karma Army", although members are still typically "Joinees". He became a minor celebrity in Belgium whilst on his quest for Joinees. While on a book tour through America, Wallace was dubbed a "Generation X legend" by the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wallace next wrote a short book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways To Make the World A Better Place, with the help of submissions from Joinees. It includes many humorous Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) ideas, such as "Contradict Demeaning Graffiti", and "Make An Old Man Very Happy."
Wallace's second solo book, Yes Man was published in July 2005. In it, he describes how he spent six months "saying Yes where once I would have said No", to make his life more interesting and positive. In this book he shows the tribulations and mischief that he got up to while he said yes to any question or proposal. The book was described as "one of those rare books that actually has the potential to change your life" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and as "a fascinating book and a fascinating experiment" by David Letterman. A film adaptation of Yes Man was developed with Warner Bros. and stars Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in 2008 in the US and the UK. Wallace appeared on screen in a cameo in a bar scene in the last ten minutes of the film, holding a British pint glass.
Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe was published in 2006. It is linked with World Book Day which in 2006 was on Thursday 2 March. It tells the story of Wallace's trip to Idaho, to visit a manhole cover in a small town, whose residents have proclaimed it the centre of the universe. The cover identifies it as a "Quick Read"; the price and length of the book have been curbed in order to encourage people who may not often read books to purchase it.
Wallace's book, Friends Like These, was released on the 3 July 2008, and tells the story of how he spent a summer trying to track down his old school friends from his days in Dundee,
He began writing reviews for video game magazines at the age of 13 for school work experience: a reviewer had become ill and so Wallace was given the opportunity to review a game. At 18 he started writing comedy, mainly through the magazine Comedy Review. He specialised in radio production at the University of Westminster.
At 22, he became a BBC producer. He was part of the production team behind British Comedy Award-winning Dead Ringers, the original producer of the critically acclaimed cult hit The Mighty Boosh, and the creator and producer of Ross Noble Goes Global. As a journalist, Wallace has worked for The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Independent, Elle, Cosmo, The Times and other publications.
In 1999, Wallace challenged comedian Dave Gorman, who at the time was his flatmate, to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman ("one for every card in the deck, including the Jokers"). Wallace accompanied Gorman on his quest and the men created Are You Dave Gorman?, an award-winning comedy stage show about what happened during their journey. A BBC series, also co-written and co-produced by Wallace, followed, as did a book, written by both men.
In 2003, Wallace's book Join Me was published. The book explains how he "accidentally started a 'cult'" called Join Me. The movement would go global, with each member committing to undertaking one random act of kindness for a stranger every Friday ("Good Fridays"). Tens of thousands joined. Join Me celebrates "Karmageddon 10" in December 2011. Traditionally, hundreds of members travel to London for the meet-up and undertake good deeds for strangers, with Wallace present. The movement is now generally referred to as the "Karma Army", although members are still typically "Joinees". He became a minor celebrity in Belgium whilst on his quest for Joinees. While on a book tour through America, Wallace was dubbed a "Generation X legend" by the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wallace next wrote a short book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways To Make the World A Better Place, with the help of submissions from Joinees. It includes many humorous Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) ideas, such as "Contradict Demeaning Graffiti", and "Make An Old Man Very Happy."
Wallace's second solo book, Yes Man was published in July 2005. In it, he describes how he spent six months "saying Yes where once I would have said No", to make his life more interesting and positive. In this book he shows the tribulations and mischief that he got up to while he said yes to any question or proposal. The book was described as "one of those rare books that actually has the potential to change your life" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and as "a fascinating book and a fascinating experiment" by David Letterman. A film adaptation of Yes Man was developed with Warner Bros. and stars Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in 2008 in the US and the UK. Wallace appeared on screen in a cameo in a bar scene in the last ten minutes of the film, holding a British pint glass.
Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe was published in 2006. It is linked with World Book Day which in 2006 was on Thursday 2 March. It tells the story of Wallace's trip to Idaho, to visit a manhole cover in a small town, whose residents have proclaimed it the centre of the universe. The cover identifies it as a "Quick Read"; the price and length of the book have been curbed in order to encourage people who may not often read books to purchase it.
Wallace's book, Friends Like These, was released on the 3 July 2008, and tells the story of how he spent a summer trying to track down his old school friends from his days in Dundee,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 17, 2016
4.5
¡Me encanto! No sé que me esta pasando con este tipo de libros pero me he enamorado de muchos últimamente, ojala y pronto saquen el segundo en español.
¡Me encanto! No sé que me esta pasando con este tipo de libros pero me he enamorado de muchos últimamente, ojala y pronto saquen el segundo en español.
February 8, 2025
3,75 ⭐
Pomimo tak długiego czasu czytania, to naprawdę mi się podobała. Gdyby nie te gigantyczne przerwy, które robiłam, to pewnie skończyłabym jeszcze w poprzednim roku.
Czysto rozrywkowo naprawdę mi się podobało. Nie spodziewałam się też niczego wow, bo to w sumie książka dla dzieci.
Po kolejny tom raczej sięgnę, bo chcę wiedzieć co się dzieje dalej.
Pomimo tak długiego czasu czytania, to naprawdę mi się podobała. Gdyby nie te gigantyczne przerwy, które robiłam, to pewnie skończyłabym jeszcze w poprzednim roku.
Czysto rozrywkowo naprawdę mi się podobało. Nie spodziewałam się też niczego wow, bo to w sumie książka dla dzieci.
Po kolejny tom raczej sięgnę, bo chcę wiedzieć co się dzieje dalej.
May 2, 2021
La historia sigue a Hamish Ellerby, un niño que vive en Starkley, el cuarto pueblo más aburrido de Gran Bretaña, donde nunca pasa nada, o eso es lo que Hamish cree. Un día Hamish descubre que hay pausas en el mundo que son causadas por los Paramundos, unas horribles y feas criaturas que quieren hacerse con el mundo de los humanos. Durante las pausas todas las personas quedan petrificadas, Hamish cree que es el único niño de Starkley que queda despierto durante las Pausas, pronto que no es así y que hay una razón por la cual no es el único. Junto a estas personas, Hamish va a intentar salvar a su familia, a sus amigos y a todo el mundo de los terribles Paramundos.
La historia me gustó, ha sido entretenida de principio a fin. Los personajes son muy divertidos y memorables. La historia es sencilla y fácil de leer, considerando que va dirigida a un público infantil, algo que me agradó es que la historia está contada con un toque de humor, por lo que, hasta la descripción de los personajes resulta chistosa. Sin duda, lo que más me gustó del libro fueron las ilustraciones, que complementan la historia de una manera que te anima a seguir leyendo. En general, la edición del libro está muy bien hecha: hay diferentes tipos de letra, la mezcla de páginas blancas y negras, y las ilustraciones, hacen de este algo digno de leer.
La narración corre a cargo de Hamish, quien en primera persona nos cuenta su vida y la de otros personajes secundarios que lo ayudan a llevar la historia. Aparte de Hamish, los Pausófilos -como se hacen llamar- es un grupo de niños que igual se mantienen despiertos durante las pausas. Son importantes en la historia, en especial Alice, quien ayuda a Hamish a encontrar a más niños para su causa. Personalmente me gustó Clover, una niña que usa disfraces para esconderse. En fin, hay una gran variedad de personajes que hacen de esta historia algo único.
LEER COMPLETO EN MI BLOG: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2016/0...
La historia me gustó, ha sido entretenida de principio a fin. Los personajes son muy divertidos y memorables. La historia es sencilla y fácil de leer, considerando que va dirigida a un público infantil, algo que me agradó es que la historia está contada con un toque de humor, por lo que, hasta la descripción de los personajes resulta chistosa. Sin duda, lo que más me gustó del libro fueron las ilustraciones, que complementan la historia de una manera que te anima a seguir leyendo. En general, la edición del libro está muy bien hecha: hay diferentes tipos de letra, la mezcla de páginas blancas y negras, y las ilustraciones, hacen de este algo digno de leer.
La narración corre a cargo de Hamish, quien en primera persona nos cuenta su vida y la de otros personajes secundarios que lo ayudan a llevar la historia. Aparte de Hamish, los Pausófilos -como se hacen llamar- es un grupo de niños que igual se mantienen despiertos durante las pausas. Son importantes en la historia, en especial Alice, quien ayuda a Hamish a encontrar a más niños para su causa. Personalmente me gustó Clover, una niña que usa disfraces para esconderse. En fin, hay una gran variedad de personajes que hacen de esta historia algo único.
LEER COMPLETO EN MI BLOG: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2016/0...
January 17, 2016
One of the BEST children's books I've read! A great read for kids & grown-ups of all ages! Really amusing from the get-go with the ironic newspaper articles... The best acknowledgements at the back! Exciting & funny throughout! Plenty of good morals are both subtly and obviously presented within such an entertaining story. Wonderful descriptive writing! The combinations of different formats was extremely clever and unique (spoiler alert!) e.g. during nighttime scenes or in darkness the writing would be in white on a black background and really added to the creepiness of the situation!
July 18, 2016
Hamish Ellerby vive en el cuarto pueblo más aburrido de Inglaterra. Un lugar donde no sucede nada y los encabezados del periódico van desde "El reloj sigue adelantado" hasta "Un hombre salió del pueblo... seguro volverá" ¡Nunca sucedía nada!
Al menos, nunca sucedía nada, hasta el momento en que a media clase las cosas dejaron de suceder, sí, todo se paró, todos se congelaron en sus lugares como si el tiempo se hubiera detenido, menos Hamish. Ésto asustó a Hamish pero nunca se lo contó a nadie, pero cuando sucedió de nuevo el miedo comenzó a disiparse y se convirtió en emoción por la aventura ¿cuántas cosas podrías hacer si todos a tu al rededor no pueden verlo? Hamish tenía al mundo a sus pies... o al menos su pequeño pueblo.
Pero eso sería algo demasiado bonito para ser real. Cada que una pausa ocurría, un adulto desaparecía o se convertía en una persona gruñona y peleonera de la noche a la mañana. Así que Hamish comenzó a intuir que esos cambios repentinos en los adultos tendrían algo que ver con las pausas, y sólo él podría hacer algo al respecto (¿sólo él?).
Es un libro que me sacó un par de buenas carcajadas desde el inicio con los encabezados del periódico, eso amo de los middle grades, su humor es tan infantil e inocente, que me matan de la risa. Pero hablemos de la edición, la portada es simplemente DIVINA. Es atractiva, con colores brillantes y que te deja ver que nuestro personaje luchará contra seres extraños. Pero por dentro el libro es aún más bonito. Todas las páginas están decoradas o tienen ilustraciones, y cuando en el libro es de noche, las páginas son negras. Realmente se pensó en todo con éste libro. Me enamoró su edición.
Y por el momento tengo entendido que hay dos libros, Hamish and the Worldstoppers y Hamish and the Neverpeople. No sé si será una trilogía o saga, pero definitivamente querré leer el siguiente.
Como buen libro infantil muestran la importancia de la amistad, y cómo enfrentar tus miedos. Que todos pueden ser héroes, hasta el bully de la escuela. Realmente me gustó mucho la historia, está muy bien contada, además de original. Hamish es un personaje que me gustó mucho. No es el niño perfecto que estelariza la típica historia, es un niño normal y eso lo convierte en un personaje al que le puedes tomar cariño. Es travieso y maloso como cualquier otro niño, pero también con conciencia. Al menos yo me encariñé mucho con Hamish, fue mi personaje favorito en todo el libro.
Y sí, es un libro infantil, pero acabo de cumplir 31 años y lo disfruté muchísimo. Hasta se lo recomendé a una amiga para que se lo compre a su hijo, así que se lo recomiendo a todo el mundo. Puede ser para que lean ustedes o algún pequeño en sus familias, pero de verdad vale la pena darle una oportunidad.
December 12, 2015
3,5 Sterne
Durch die Rezi bei Jennys Bücherkiste bin ich auf dieses Buch aufmerksam geworden, denn sie hat es in den höchsten Tönen gelobt und war so begeistert, dass ich es ausprobieren musste, obwohl ich ja sehr selten Kinderbücher lese.
Die Aufmachung von dem Buch ist wirklich eine Klasse für sich! Schon das Cover macht was her und neugierig, aber erst recht das Innenleben ist echt super witzig und ansprechend gemacht! Schon vorne die Karte der kleinen Stadt Starkley (der viertlangweiligste Ort in Großbritannien) hat mich zum Schmunzeln gebracht, genauso wie die skurrilen Zeitungsausschnitte, die den trostlosen Alltag der Bewohner mit viel Humor widerspiegeln!
Auch die Schrift zeigt in vielen Facetten die Emotionen und etwas ganz besonderes fand ich die Seitenzahlen, die mit einem Vogel unterlegt sind und ein Daumenkino entstehen lassen, wenn man durch das Buch blättert! Ebenso die liebevoll detaillierten Zeichnungen!
Der Erzähler führt uns hier durch eine abstruse und lustige Geschichte, die der 10jährige Hamish in dem Städtchen Starkley erlebt - das es nicht einmal geschafft hat, im Wettbewerb der langweiligsten Stadt auf Platz 1 zu kommen. Seltsame Vorkommnisse häufen sich und als der Junge bemerkt, dass plötzlich die Zeit stehen bleibt und nur er sich weiter bewegen kann, lässt ihn die Angst schnell wieder los und er nützt in vollen Zügen den Moment, in dem er machen kann, was er will!
Aber schon bald merkt er, dass er nicht alleine ist und das ganze einem schrecklichen Muster folgt!
Flott und kurzweilig mit einer sehr lockeren Sprache entwickelt sich ein großes Abenteuer mit kleinen großen Helden, denn niemand anderes als die Kinder sind in der Lage, die Welt vor den Weltstoppern zu retten!
Der Schluss fiebert einem spannenden Finale entgegen, das noch Raum für eine Fortsetzung lässt.
Eine Bewertung hierzu ist mir jetzt relativ schwer gefallen, weil ich mit dem Genre einfach nicht (mehr) so vertraut bin und merke, dass es mir nicht so liegt. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass vielen dieser Humor zusagt und die Momente, die ich etwas "flach" fand, anderen wiederum sehr gut gefallen.
Fazit
Eine wirklich witzige und kuriose Geschichte, die für das entsprechende Lesealter auf jeden Fall abenteuerliche Unterhaltung bietet. Ich bin anscheinend für diese Art nicht mehr ganz so aufgeschlossen, deshalb von mir "nur" 3,5 Sterne, aber eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung für alle, die sich in ein kurioses und vor kreativen Ideen sprühendes Abenteuer stürzen wollen.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Durch die Rezi bei Jennys Bücherkiste bin ich auf dieses Buch aufmerksam geworden, denn sie hat es in den höchsten Tönen gelobt und war so begeistert, dass ich es ausprobieren musste, obwohl ich ja sehr selten Kinderbücher lese.
Die Aufmachung von dem Buch ist wirklich eine Klasse für sich! Schon das Cover macht was her und neugierig, aber erst recht das Innenleben ist echt super witzig und ansprechend gemacht! Schon vorne die Karte der kleinen Stadt Starkley (der viertlangweiligste Ort in Großbritannien) hat mich zum Schmunzeln gebracht, genauso wie die skurrilen Zeitungsausschnitte, die den trostlosen Alltag der Bewohner mit viel Humor widerspiegeln!
Auch die Schrift zeigt in vielen Facetten die Emotionen und etwas ganz besonderes fand ich die Seitenzahlen, die mit einem Vogel unterlegt sind und ein Daumenkino entstehen lassen, wenn man durch das Buch blättert! Ebenso die liebevoll detaillierten Zeichnungen!
Der Erzähler führt uns hier durch eine abstruse und lustige Geschichte, die der 10jährige Hamish in dem Städtchen Starkley erlebt - das es nicht einmal geschafft hat, im Wettbewerb der langweiligsten Stadt auf Platz 1 zu kommen. Seltsame Vorkommnisse häufen sich und als der Junge bemerkt, dass plötzlich die Zeit stehen bleibt und nur er sich weiter bewegen kann, lässt ihn die Angst schnell wieder los und er nützt in vollen Zügen den Moment, in dem er machen kann, was er will!
Aber schon bald merkt er, dass er nicht alleine ist und das ganze einem schrecklichen Muster folgt!
Flott und kurzweilig mit einer sehr lockeren Sprache entwickelt sich ein großes Abenteuer mit kleinen großen Helden, denn niemand anderes als die Kinder sind in der Lage, die Welt vor den Weltstoppern zu retten!
Der Schluss fiebert einem spannenden Finale entgegen, das noch Raum für eine Fortsetzung lässt.
Eine Bewertung hierzu ist mir jetzt relativ schwer gefallen, weil ich mit dem Genre einfach nicht (mehr) so vertraut bin und merke, dass es mir nicht so liegt. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass vielen dieser Humor zusagt und die Momente, die ich etwas "flach" fand, anderen wiederum sehr gut gefallen.
Fazit
Eine wirklich witzige und kuriose Geschichte, die für das entsprechende Lesealter auf jeden Fall abenteuerliche Unterhaltung bietet. Ich bin anscheinend für diese Art nicht mehr ganz so aufgeschlossen, deshalb von mir "nur" 3,5 Sterne, aber eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung für alle, die sich in ein kurioses und vor kreativen Ideen sprühendes Abenteuer stürzen wollen.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
October 12, 2015
Es un 3,5 en realidad, pero ya sé sabe Goodreads y sus medias estrellas.
La historia narra como Hamish Ellerby, un niño normal, nota que de repente existen unas pausas en el mundo, unos momentos en el que el mundo entero se queda petrificado. Hamish descubre que los culpables de las pausas son los Paramundos y sus secuaces los Terribles, un seres espantosos que quieren apoderarse del mundo. Con algunos amigos más a los que no les afecta la Pausa, Hamish tratara de salvar al mundo de esta espantosa invasión.
Ha sido una historia entretenida, con algún personaje entrañable, con una lectura fácil y directa (perfecta de 8-10 años) y con algún toque humorístico bastante simpático. Sin duda las ilustraciones dan un juego y una vistosidad a la edición que hacen una historia más completa. Para mí la narración falla al inventarse tantas palabras, o hacer demasiadas uniones entre palabras solo para que suenen bien; llegando a resultar estrambótico en ocasiones y que no le veo sentido para primeros lectores, los cuales justamente creo que deben aprender vocablos correctos en base a la lectura.
Es una lectura de fantasía, con una trama con tintes más siniestros de lo esperado (no todo acaba exactamente como esperas que acabe), pero con algunos temas de fondo interesantes como el acoso escolar, la amistad, la importancia de la familia o de la pérdida de un ser querido y el de la propia responsabilidad. Una lectura diferente para esta edad y creo que bastante original, más en la onda de Coraline (Neil Gaiman) o la película ParaNorman, que algunas otras lecturas más edulcoradas hasta el infinito. La trama aunque cierra la historia de esta entrega, queda claramente abierta para una continuación, donde el misterio es bastante palpable.
La historia narra como Hamish Ellerby, un niño normal, nota que de repente existen unas pausas en el mundo, unos momentos en el que el mundo entero se queda petrificado. Hamish descubre que los culpables de las pausas son los Paramundos y sus secuaces los Terribles, un seres espantosos que quieren apoderarse del mundo. Con algunos amigos más a los que no les afecta la Pausa, Hamish tratara de salvar al mundo de esta espantosa invasión.
Ha sido una historia entretenida, con algún personaje entrañable, con una lectura fácil y directa (perfecta de 8-10 años) y con algún toque humorístico bastante simpático. Sin duda las ilustraciones dan un juego y una vistosidad a la edición que hacen una historia más completa. Para mí la narración falla al inventarse tantas palabras, o hacer demasiadas uniones entre palabras solo para que suenen bien; llegando a resultar estrambótico en ocasiones y que no le veo sentido para primeros lectores, los cuales justamente creo que deben aprender vocablos correctos en base a la lectura.
Es una lectura de fantasía, con una trama con tintes más siniestros de lo esperado (no todo acaba exactamente como esperas que acabe), pero con algunos temas de fondo interesantes como el acoso escolar, la amistad, la importancia de la familia o de la pérdida de un ser querido y el de la propia responsabilidad. Una lectura diferente para esta edad y creo que bastante original, más en la onda de Coraline (Neil Gaiman) o la película ParaNorman, que algunas otras lecturas más edulcoradas hasta el infinito. La trama aunque cierra la historia de esta entrega, queda claramente abierta para una continuación, donde el misterio es bastante palpable.
August 10, 2017
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars.
I have been reading this book with my son in an attempt to get him into longer books (this one is around 350 pages). We have done treehouses and diaries of ninjas and a whole heap of books that people have all told me would get him hooked on reading. Nope. He is adamant he does not like to read.
I was flicking through a sale on Book Depository for kid's books and saw this series and thought it looked interesting. First three books purchased in hope that this might be a series he loved. From the first few pages I knew it was a hit because he was laughing and I was in love with the writing (this book hooks parents just as much as kids). What a funny, clever book which made my son constantly ask for one more chapter.
The title sums up this story - the world keeps stopping/pausing and it is up to Hamish and the PDF (Pause Defense Force) to save the day. This book is not gender specific. This book is not age specific. What a treat! The second we finished the first, my son went and grabbed the second book and even my "Do you want a reading cleanse in between by reading some smaller books" failed - he wanted to start the second book ASAP. Last night he waited for me to come home from work to continue our read rather than read something else with Dad.
This book is GOLD! This book was glorious - funny, engaging and the pictures were fabulous. Well worth it - especially if you have a reluctant reader in your path. The 4 stars are all mine (my son has this down as 10 stars. I will do some bad math and average that out at 4.5 :-P
I have been reading this book with my son in an attempt to get him into longer books (this one is around 350 pages). We have done treehouses and diaries of ninjas and a whole heap of books that people have all told me would get him hooked on reading. Nope. He is adamant he does not like to read.
I was flicking through a sale on Book Depository for kid's books and saw this series and thought it looked interesting. First three books purchased in hope that this might be a series he loved. From the first few pages I knew it was a hit because he was laughing and I was in love with the writing (this book hooks parents just as much as kids). What a funny, clever book which made my son constantly ask for one more chapter.
The title sums up this story - the world keeps stopping/pausing and it is up to Hamish and the PDF (Pause Defense Force) to save the day. This book is not gender specific. This book is not age specific. What a treat! The second we finished the first, my son went and grabbed the second book and even my "Do you want a reading cleanse in between by reading some smaller books" failed - he wanted to start the second book ASAP. Last night he waited for me to come home from work to continue our read rather than read something else with Dad.
This book is GOLD! This book was glorious - funny, engaging and the pictures were fabulous. Well worth it - especially if you have a reluctant reader in your path. The 4 stars are all mine (my son has this down as 10 stars. I will do some bad math and average that out at 4.5 :-P
August 6, 2025
Recommended by my 7year old who very much enjoyed it.
I'd give it 3 stars, but he'd give it 5 so we've taken an average!
Very enjoyable wee read for the holidays.
I'd give it 3 stars, but he'd give it 5 so we've taken an average!
Very enjoyable wee read for the holidays.
September 13, 2015
Megaaa süß mehr dazu in meiner Rezi bald ;)
April 27, 2023
The first thing to say here is that even though this book is written for children, I still thought that there was a lot there for me to enjoy as an adult. Part of that is probably due to the fact that I’m a Danny Wallace fan and find that he’s generally pretty funny whether he’s writing for kids or adults. In fact, he does what a lot of writers don’t manage to do by writing for children without speaking down to them.
The plot here is pretty fun, too. Basically, we have a little-ish kid called Hamish who’s noticed that time has randomly started to stop. Everyone else is basically frozen in the middle of whatever they’re doing, but Hamish is able to move around in the void. He later learns that he’s not alone – some other kids are able to do it as well, but so are some monsters that seem to want to replace everyone with meaner versions of themselves.
Hamish lives in the fourth most boring town in the UK, and so that kind of thing just doesn’t normally happen there. I could weirdly relate to that because I’m originally from a small town in the British Midlands called Tamworth, and nothing much happens there either.
I’ve enjoyed everything of Danny Wallace’s that I’ve read, and given that I’ve read quite a few of his books, that’s quite the accolade. He just has an easy way with words that makes his stuff enjoyable, whether you’re reading children’s books, adult fiction or the non-fiction that helped to launch his career.
So if you’re thinking about getting this, please do. It’s fun for grown-ups and kids alike and would make for a great bedtime book, and I’m pretty sure it’s also the first book in this series. Some good stuff!
The plot here is pretty fun, too. Basically, we have a little-ish kid called Hamish who’s noticed that time has randomly started to stop. Everyone else is basically frozen in the middle of whatever they’re doing, but Hamish is able to move around in the void. He later learns that he’s not alone – some other kids are able to do it as well, but so are some monsters that seem to want to replace everyone with meaner versions of themselves.
Hamish lives in the fourth most boring town in the UK, and so that kind of thing just doesn’t normally happen there. I could weirdly relate to that because I’m originally from a small town in the British Midlands called Tamworth, and nothing much happens there either.
I’ve enjoyed everything of Danny Wallace’s that I’ve read, and given that I’ve read quite a few of his books, that’s quite the accolade. He just has an easy way with words that makes his stuff enjoyable, whether you’re reading children’s books, adult fiction or the non-fiction that helped to launch his career.
So if you’re thinking about getting this, please do. It’s fun for grown-ups and kids alike and would make for a great bedtime book, and I’m pretty sure it’s also the first book in this series. Some good stuff!
May 5, 2017
This was a fantastic read from beginning to end!
I think that this is a children's book written with adults in mind (kind of like how Pixar movies have frequent jokes that are intended for the parents of the watching children). The story itself is book-ended by a collection of rather sardonic "excerpts" from the local newspaper, beautifully illustrated, and we step straight into Hamish's rapidly disintegrating world.
The story is well-paced and targets itself nicely at the intended audience without being super-obvious about it. There are a few body-related humour moments but no extreme out-there potty-humour like The Day My Bum Went Psycho and friends (which is why I'm reading this, looking for alternatives for my son who really dislikes that kind of humour that seems to be how many books in his age range are written). There is at least one breach of the fourth wall to point out a particular scene that very specifically does not get used to show how Hamish is the "better man" in a situation, I think that there are a bunch of nice takeaways in the book but it doesn't take itself too seriously and isn't preachy.
It's a Dahl-esque kind of deal, sometimes the monsters get quite dark and there are allusions to things in life just being crap because that's sometimes they just are. Hamish makes a good protagonist, there's a wide variety of supporting cast (including some interesting female characters) and the lead-in to the sequel doesn't leave much in the way of hanging plot-lines that are going to make you angry about a lack of conclusion.
I think that this is a children's book written with adults in mind (kind of like how Pixar movies have frequent jokes that are intended for the parents of the watching children). The story itself is book-ended by a collection of rather sardonic "excerpts" from the local newspaper, beautifully illustrated, and we step straight into Hamish's rapidly disintegrating world.
The story is well-paced and targets itself nicely at the intended audience without being super-obvious about it. There are a few body-related humour moments but no extreme out-there potty-humour like The Day My Bum Went Psycho and friends (which is why I'm reading this, looking for alternatives for my son who really dislikes that kind of humour that seems to be how many books in his age range are written). There is at least one breach of the fourth wall to point out a particular scene that very specifically does not get used to show how Hamish is the "better man" in a situation, I think that there are a bunch of nice takeaways in the book but it doesn't take itself too seriously and isn't preachy.
It's a Dahl-esque kind of deal, sometimes the monsters get quite dark and there are allusions to things in life just being crap because that's sometimes they just are. Hamish makes a good protagonist, there's a wide variety of supporting cast (including some interesting female characters) and the lead-in to the sequel doesn't leave much in the way of hanging plot-lines that are going to make you angry about a lack of conclusion.
October 12, 2019
We were given this book and upon finishing it, I’ve just ordered the whole series- it’s safe to say we are hooked.
I have an 8 year old reluctant reader who never wanted bedtime reading to end during this book. (To be honest, I also enjoyed it so much that we did occasionally stay up late just to read a couple more chapters!)
This book takes you through all the emotions with happy moments, sad moments, creepy scary moments and hilarious moments. It really appealed to our sense of humour and we both laughed out loud almost every night.
The writing is beautifully expressive and a joy to read aloud, the plot is well paced, the characters are quirky, the illustrations are brilliant- and just as you imagined before turning the page and the layout and fonts used are really creative and would help to keep the attention of even the most difficult audiences.
Even better is that it’s a story suitable for almost for everyone. Could probably read this to a 5 or 6 year old and as I said- even I enjoyed it at 31 and a half 😉
Thoroughly recommend this and we can’t wait to receive the set so we can start the next book.
I have an 8 year old reluctant reader who never wanted bedtime reading to end during this book. (To be honest, I also enjoyed it so much that we did occasionally stay up late just to read a couple more chapters!)
This book takes you through all the emotions with happy moments, sad moments, creepy scary moments and hilarious moments. It really appealed to our sense of humour and we both laughed out loud almost every night.
The writing is beautifully expressive and a joy to read aloud, the plot is well paced, the characters are quirky, the illustrations are brilliant- and just as you imagined before turning the page and the layout and fonts used are really creative and would help to keep the attention of even the most difficult audiences.
Even better is that it’s a story suitable for almost for everyone. Could probably read this to a 5 or 6 year old and as I said- even I enjoyed it at 31 and a half 😉
Thoroughly recommend this and we can’t wait to receive the set so we can start the next book.
March 25, 2020
I read this book for my kids book club.
What a fun little book. I thoroughly enjoyed the newspaper clippings at the beginning and end of the story, they had me laughing out loud.
However, I would not say that this is an exceptional children's book. Or even a very good children's book. I'd say... it's a fun little book.
The writing began to get old quite quickly. The main themes were too few and too overused. I did NOT like the way that the author encourages bullied children to attempt to bully their bullies. (Did that sentence make sense?)
The plot had so many holes in it I decided to stop keeping count. The story-line was dragged out in some places and towards the end felt incredibly rushed. I really would have liked to see more PDF action with the original gang of 5. (That definitely doesn't make sense, but it would do if you'd read the book).
Despite all these factors, it still makes an enjoyable children's book. I'm sure kids would read this and even feel scared in some parts and laugh in others. The illustrations are interesting and helpful. The characters are good enough to get by.
Not one of the best children's books I've ever read, but far from the worst.
What a fun little book. I thoroughly enjoyed the newspaper clippings at the beginning and end of the story, they had me laughing out loud.
However, I would not say that this is an exceptional children's book. Or even a very good children's book. I'd say... it's a fun little book.
The writing began to get old quite quickly. The main themes were too few and too overused. I did NOT like the way that the author encourages bullied children to attempt to bully their bullies. (Did that sentence make sense?)
The plot had so many holes in it I decided to stop keeping count. The story-line was dragged out in some places and towards the end felt incredibly rushed. I really would have liked to see more PDF action with the original gang of 5. (That definitely doesn't make sense, but it would do if you'd read the book).
Despite all these factors, it still makes an enjoyable children's book. I'm sure kids would read this and even feel scared in some parts and laugh in others. The illustrations are interesting and helpful. The characters are good enough to get by.
Not one of the best children's books I've ever read, but far from the worst.
May 20, 2020
I liked this book, it was part of my family reading strategy, where each person listening, took a turn at reading either a chapter or a page, depending on the time of night, before bed.
It's a fun book and captivated the whole family. It is beautifully presented and attractive upon the younger readers eye.
Loved it. Thank you Danny Wallace, for writing it.
I'm about to give this book to a charity bag, to give another young person or family, the opportunity to read it. If you don't go to charity shops, you may not spy it. However, either way, it is worth the money if purchased at full price.
It's a fun book and captivated the whole family. It is beautifully presented and attractive upon the younger readers eye.
Loved it. Thank you Danny Wallace, for writing it.
I'm about to give this book to a charity bag, to give another young person or family, the opportunity to read it. If you don't go to charity shops, you may not spy it. However, either way, it is worth the money if purchased at full price.
June 13, 2017
An eye caching performance, as the Terribles roamed starkly. Looking for valuables and a place to live, so watch out at night encase you get stolen. So keep your eyes peeled for a murky shadow out in the distance, it could be unexpected or could creeeeeeeeep yoooooouuuuuu ooooooouuuuuuuuut.
The Terribles rip you limb to limb, and only your bones remain DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't worry because the P.D.F. are on their way to have REVENGE on the Belly Rippers...
Whatever the Terribles name themselves they'll run away like wimps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Terribles rip you limb to limb, and only your bones remain DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't worry because the P.D.F. are on their way to have REVENGE on the Belly Rippers...
Whatever the Terribles name themselves they'll run away like wimps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26, 2017
En tant que premier roman jeunesse de Danny Wallace, je ne pouvais m'attendre à mieux! D'abord, je me suis adonné avec passion à la lecture de ce roman. Drôle, singulier, envoûtant, Hector et les Pétrifieurs de temps s'assure une belle place dans la littérature: chaque page introduit une nouvelle ambiance, chaque changement de typographie influe directement sur le rythme du récit. Contrairement à la ville de Starkley, l'on ne s'ennuie jamais avec Hector. Surprises, intrigues et bizarreries sont au rendez-vous dans ce roman qui nous amène au-delà de ce qui a été fait auparavant. Chapeau!
February 7, 2017
Lovely humour. Hamish is excellent. The premise is thought-provoking. Probably spent as much time musing on my own additions to what could be about to happen as actually reading it. Brilliant reader involvement. Slight slowing down just before the showdown and a final chapter that felt a bit tagged-on rather than a fluid introduction to the next book. But, four an a half stars from me. Recommended. Oh, and also, illustrated by the superb Jamie Littler.
December 31, 2021
it is very funny the pdf is the funniest but really funny one is Venk for short sou there are Terribles
they look like monsters sou the pdf wor on a rollercoaster so sometimes there is a pause
so in the rollercoaster there was a pause there was a huge terrible it was like the size of two
basis bot they had to pretend to be paused so Venk looked like he cot of his pinky
and Clover heart her pinky
they look like monsters sou the pdf wor on a rollercoaster so sometimes there is a pause
so in the rollercoaster there was a pause there was a huge terrible it was like the size of two
basis bot they had to pretend to be paused so Venk looked like he cot of his pinky
and Clover heart her pinky
August 16, 2018
I’m 41 years old and have recently started taking my two little ones (4 and 7) to the local library as it is important for them to experience them before they disappear. Being a fan of Danny’s other books, I borrowed this one to see what it was like, and it was FANTASTIC! My son will love reading this, and I will be passing it to him next before we return it! I’d give it more stars if I could.
October 16, 2017
Very kiddy, but the fact it reminded me of Jonny Zucker's stuff earned it an extra star. It was like one of his alien story lessons, plot line by plot line. Am sure many kids of the right age would love it.
October 29, 2018
Up there with Roald Dahl. Seriously underrated kids book. Funny, clever and exciting. Seven and ten year old enthralled at bed time. Mum and Dad both had sneaky catch ups if either missed story time. And a great set up for a sequel!
January 11, 2023
One I read to Tiny (nearly 7). Good fun, very silly and delightfully grotty. She immediately wanted to have a flick through the next one we've got as soon as we finished this one. I guess that's pretty high praise.
March 30, 2019
Drôle, inventif, bourré d’actions. Idéal pour des enfants, dans les 9 ans et plus, qui adorent frissonner et rire.
Read
June 13, 2019rnfd
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2019
This fantastic childrens book is also great for the parents who read it to them. But it has an open end, we really need dutch sequels! Who will translate and edit part 2: Hamish and the Neverpeople?
November 20, 2019
I thought the bullies were horrible but then the most malevolent monsters turned up!
Creepy, cleverly silly (yes, that's a thing) and an awful lot of fun.
Creepy, cleverly silly (yes, that's a thing) and an awful lot of fun.
June 2, 2020
AMAZING ABSOLUTELY AMAZING😁😁😁
December 10, 2020
I think everyone should have this book on there shelfs it's amazing!! I love the bit when the PDF stops the wordstoppers and when hamish meets the PDF.
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