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The Blockbuster Baddiel Box
Animalcolm
From David Baddiel, the brightest new star of children's books and winner of the LOLLIES award, comes a laugh-out-loud adventure for every child who ever wondered what it might be like to be a bit of an animal...
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2016
94 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
David Baddiel
85 books446 followersDavid Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 2, 2019
Lots of laughs with this one, with my two boys! Great story!
August 9, 2017
David Baddiel did it again, he wrote another magical book.
This time no Parent Agencies, no Controllers that will control people/animals, oh no, this time we are experiencing what it is like to be an animal, and not just one, but quite a few of them.
Say hello to Malcolm, he is our MC, and he doesn't like animals. He has his reasons, and I was nodding along, I could totally understand he may not be all that happy with animals. I understood his point that animals seemingly do nothing all day, just laze around, or do some weird animal thing. Of course, I am an animal fan myself, but I could still understand Malcolm's reasoning.
Malcolm is about to go a school trip (something he should be quite happy about as his parents really scraped together the money, but I can imagine that no boy is all too happy to have to spend days on a farm with stinky goat cheese), and on that trip he is going to discover that being an animal is more than it seems.
Malcolm is a pretty fun character and I loved that he just wanted to know why he was alone in not liking animals, he kept pondering why everyone was loving it, yet he couldn't understand that love.
Throughout the book you also see him change as he understands more and more about animals, as he makes friends with them, as he hears their stories, as he sees just what they do for him.
I was also a bit worried about him near the end.
Because Malcolm is going to meet a goat that is very old, and may just be able to do magical things that will turn worlds upside down.
And thus enter the animals, and the transformation. Most of the book take place on the farm, and we see Malcolm make friends, transform in another animal, find out about what happened to him, and also has a jolly good time as he discovers that being an animal can be quite fun and delightful. A whole world opens up to him, and I laughed quite hard that he had to keep repeating the story over and over again, and had to ask for witnesses (the animals he was previous with).
The curse/spell? I had a laugh at what it entails. Dear heavens. You just have to hope you get the right animal then. :P
Later on the book gets even more excited as a race against time starts and Malcolm has to ask all his friends to help him out.
The ending was fabulous, and I was really happy, though I was a bit surprised that people fell for that excuse so easily, I wouldn't have bought it, oh no, not at all, even if I was delighted at seeing my kid again. Plus I loved those last pages, that poor teacher, though I am sure he is happier now.
It was also fun to see Fred, Ellie, and Barry again!
Almost all of the book is from Malcolm's POV, but we also see his Mum and the teacher's POV, I quite liked that those POVs were also added.
The book is also heavily illustrated and I just adored each and every illustration. They made the book really pop and made some of the scenes even more hilarious.
The only two things I didn't like, and they were things I also didn't particularly liked in his other books were the fact that the adults were just idiots or just should be shaken a bit harder to get some sense in them. The teacher? He never noticed that Malcolm was missing. The parents? How horrible that they would laugh over that event when they know Malcolm is around. Plus the fact they totally didn't give a poop about his feelings on animals and that they should just have gone for another present. Basing all the presents on that one thing? Also not right. I feel that they should learn a bit more respect.
All in all though, I really liked this book, and I can't wait to see what David Baddiel will think up next. I would recommend this book to everyone who is need for a funny, animaltastic, magical book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This time no Parent Agencies, no Controllers that will control people/animals, oh no, this time we are experiencing what it is like to be an animal, and not just one, but quite a few of them.
Say hello to Malcolm, he is our MC, and he doesn't like animals. He has his reasons, and I was nodding along, I could totally understand he may not be all that happy with animals. I understood his point that animals seemingly do nothing all day, just laze around, or do some weird animal thing. Of course, I am an animal fan myself, but I could still understand Malcolm's reasoning.
Malcolm is about to go a school trip (something he should be quite happy about as his parents really scraped together the money, but I can imagine that no boy is all too happy to have to spend days on a farm with stinky goat cheese), and on that trip he is going to discover that being an animal is more than it seems.
Malcolm is a pretty fun character and I loved that he just wanted to know why he was alone in not liking animals, he kept pondering why everyone was loving it, yet he couldn't understand that love.
Throughout the book you also see him change as he understands more and more about animals, as he makes friends with them, as he hears their stories, as he sees just what they do for him.
I was also a bit worried about him near the end.
Because Malcolm is going to meet a goat that is very old, and may just be able to do magical things that will turn worlds upside down.
And thus enter the animals, and the transformation. Most of the book take place on the farm, and we see Malcolm make friends, transform in another animal, find out about what happened to him, and also has a jolly good time as he discovers that being an animal can be quite fun and delightful. A whole world opens up to him, and I laughed quite hard that he had to keep repeating the story over and over again, and had to ask for witnesses (the animals he was previous with).
The curse/spell? I had a laugh at what it entails. Dear heavens. You just have to hope you get the right animal then. :P
Later on the book gets even more excited as a race against time starts and Malcolm has to ask all his friends to help him out.
The ending was fabulous, and I was really happy, though I was a bit surprised that people fell for that excuse so easily, I wouldn't have bought it, oh no, not at all, even if I was delighted at seeing my kid again. Plus I loved those last pages, that poor teacher, though I am sure he is happier now.
It was also fun to see Fred, Ellie, and Barry again!
Almost all of the book is from Malcolm's POV, but we also see his Mum and the teacher's POV, I quite liked that those POVs were also added.
The book is also heavily illustrated and I just adored each and every illustration. They made the book really pop and made some of the scenes even more hilarious.
The only two things I didn't like, and they were things I also didn't particularly liked in his other books were the fact that the adults were just idiots or just should be shaken a bit harder to get some sense in them. The teacher? He never noticed that Malcolm was missing. The parents? How horrible that they would laugh over that event when they know Malcolm is around. Plus the fact they totally didn't give a poop about his feelings on animals and that they should just have gone for another present. Basing all the presents on that one thing? Also not right. I feel that they should learn a bit more respect.
All in all though, I really liked this book, and I can't wait to see what David Baddiel will think up next. I would recommend this book to everyone who is need for a funny, animaltastic, magical book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 27, 2022
Сладурска история за научаването на трудни уроци и откриването на истинското богатство в живота.
November 24, 2016
Third winner on the trot (or should that be trotter?) from David Baddiel.
He manages to tap into the 'wish fulfilment' genre brilliantly each time, from changing your parents, to having a controller that works on people, and now - turning into another animal!
Malcolm's family are NUTS about animals. Malcolm.... isn't. So when he gets the worst birthday presents ever (have a guess) and then ends up on a school trip to a FARM, he never thought it could get worse. But then he wakes up as an animal himself!!! Argh!
Over the course of the three-day trip, poor Malcolm inhabits various farm animal bodies, learning a little about their lives and abilities along the way, and gradually realising who it is he wants to be. And where. But can he get there?
A light and amusing read, Baddiel gives us an imaginative look at how cats climb and tortoises talk to each other - how Malcolm communicates cross-species is also cleverly done.
The path of the story is an obvious one, but I loved how Baddiel takes Malcolm through various incarnations and lives, and gets the whole farm involved in the final push to get him where he needs to end up.
Very funny, from the short-sighted teacher to the poor tortoises running after everyone else in mad dashes.
A good message at the end, and an easy read for ages 9 and above.
He manages to tap into the 'wish fulfilment' genre brilliantly each time, from changing your parents, to having a controller that works on people, and now - turning into another animal!
Malcolm's family are NUTS about animals. Malcolm.... isn't. So when he gets the worst birthday presents ever (have a guess) and then ends up on a school trip to a FARM, he never thought it could get worse. But then he wakes up as an animal himself!!! Argh!
Over the course of the three-day trip, poor Malcolm inhabits various farm animal bodies, learning a little about their lives and abilities along the way, and gradually realising who it is he wants to be. And where. But can he get there?
A light and amusing read, Baddiel gives us an imaginative look at how cats climb and tortoises talk to each other - how Malcolm communicates cross-species is also cleverly done.
The path of the story is an obvious one, but I loved how Baddiel takes Malcolm through various incarnations and lives, and gets the whole farm involved in the final push to get him where he needs to end up.
Very funny, from the short-sighted teacher to the poor tortoises running after everyone else in mad dashes.
A good message at the end, and an easy read for ages 9 and above.
Read
January 13, 2022Malcolm doesn't like animals but his family loves them. When he changes into different animals, he gets to know how the feel and do. After that situation he loves animals, supports his family and his pets.
This book is amazing and funny. Malcolm finds that sometimes the hardest thing is to become yourself.
This is my first book of David Baddiel and I loved it very much!!!
This book is amazing and funny. Malcolm finds that sometimes the hardest thing is to become yourself.
This is my first book of David Baddiel and I loved it very much!!!
May 4, 2022
I say I remember reading this when I was younger but don't remember much of it- but I'm sure it was amusing and great in the eyes of my younger self.
September 27, 2020
Great book if you like fantasy and laughs than this is the book for you.
Read
February 10, 2020The latest child in an exceptional class to have a supernatural mini-adventure is Malcolm: an animal-hating lad from a family who are animal-mad! But that's all about to change as he gets up close and personal with some new friends on the farm.
This is David Baddiel's third book for children and his best yet. There are several laugh out loud moments and the correct balance of excitement and excrement.
This is David Baddiel's third book for children and his best yet. There are several laugh out loud moments and the correct balance of excitement and excrement.
January 29, 2017
I read this with my 11 year old daughter.
I would like to thank whoever is responsible for the print in the book. The line spacing and font make it much easier to read, without being babyish or condescending. A real plus for any dyslexic or reluctant reader.
Felt maybe the book was a little long as the middle got a little repetitive, but it soon pepped up the humour and good story.
Recommended!
I would like to thank whoever is responsible for the print in the book. The line spacing and font make it much easier to read, without being babyish or condescending. A real plus for any dyslexic or reluctant reader.
Felt maybe the book was a little long as the middle got a little repetitive, but it soon pepped up the humour and good story.
Recommended!
January 6, 2019
I decided to pick this book up after reading The Parent Agency. I hoped this was as good but it was even better! This book is funny, but has an important moral. This was easy to read and it was grasping. I couldn't put it down. This was strange but amazing! I would definitely recommend this to anyone. I will definitely be reading more of his books😀
March 12, 2018
great book really funny love all the adventures he has
October 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this book I would definitely recommend it to teen aged readers
Read
January 16, 2019This was an amazing book! I loved K-pax in it, that was hilarious especially the Coda's at the end!!
November 10, 2020
Fun read with kids.
August 22, 2017
Having heard David Baddiel describing his idea for this book at last year's Oxford Literary festival, this was an essential bedtime read for my daughter. Without spoiling the plot too much, the struggles animal hating Malcolm encountered as he tried to return from life as an animal to the semi-normality of life with his family were entertaining. As an old git, I found Malcolm's sister's use of made up text speak a little annoying whereas my daughter loved the footnote explanations. Altogether a good, funny book third children's book from David Baddiel which has modern humour without being too crude.
July 14, 2018
6/10
This book is alright. I didn’t enjoy it like many other novels such as Cogheart, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Elementia Chronicles, The Iron Man or Jurassic Park. Its storyline was very unusual and was just random as Malcolm, the main character, just turns into an animal because of where he sleeps. It’s like it breaks the idea, “If you were born in a stable, it doesn’t turn you into a horse.”
I know it’s a children’s novel, but, it just doesn’t have a proper plot as how to turn into an animal. Geeky stories even have proper causes of having special abilities!
This book is alright. I didn’t enjoy it like many other novels such as Cogheart, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Elementia Chronicles, The Iron Man or Jurassic Park. Its storyline was very unusual and was just random as Malcolm, the main character, just turns into an animal because of where he sleeps. It’s like it breaks the idea, “If you were born in a stable, it doesn’t turn you into a horse.”
I know it’s a children’s novel, but, it just doesn’t have a proper plot as how to turn into an animal. Geeky stories even have proper causes of having special abilities!
August 27, 2017
*SPOILER ALERT* I was really excited to get this book but was quite unimpressed during and after reading it because of the plot and how boring I found it. Malcolm basically turns into multiple different animals and can only speak their language. I think the reason why I disliked it was because it's more of a 7-9-year-old's book (maybe a bit younger too) and I read it at 11 (12 now).
January 2, 2018
My daughter (7) and I really enjoyed reading this about a boy that transforms into different animals at a farm he is at with school. It encouraged my daughter to read more and more as she was eager to see whether he would stay as a animal or become human. It’s got big writing which made it much easier to read. Looking forward to reading more from this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
AniMazing!
This is a must book for children who love animals.
And it might open the minds of those who don't.
Ongoing research is showing how much we have been underestimating the intelligence of animals.
David Baddiel's imagination and quirky humour shine throughout.
AniMalcolm will also appeal to adults who read to children.
This is a must book for children who love animals.
And it might open the minds of those who don't.
Ongoing research is showing how much we have been underestimating the intelligence of animals.
David Baddiel's imagination and quirky humour shine throughout.
AniMalcolm will also appeal to adults who read to children.
May 30, 2017
I received a review copy of this book.
I really enjoyed it and will be buying his other books for Kaycee and Ella. It was funny in places, a bit gruesome in others and a little sad at times but there was a happy ending so all is good!
I really enjoyed it and will be buying his other books for Kaycee and Ella. It was funny in places, a bit gruesome in others and a little sad at times but there was a happy ending so all is good!
July 12, 2019
i like this book because it had a lot of humour. especially when Malcolm turns into animals. i would recommend this to younger because it has a lot of normal jokes. i did like the ending because he went back to a boy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2016
Absolutely loved this. Perfect for kids of all ages!
Read
November 15, 2016Hilarious
February 5, 2017
I think ani Malcolm was really good and I will read a lot of his in the future
February 17, 2017
I think this was a very funny and well written book. I think that anyone from age 7-11 should read it.
February 3, 2018
Great book that brings to life most Children’s dream of being an animal. My 6 year old loved it.
February 27, 2018
Lecture-feuilleton partagée avec mon petit matelot. Un roman sympa et rigolo, mais pas indispensable.
March 2, 2018
Amazing, action-packed book. I loved it so much!
August 4, 2018
Funny, amazing, brilliant. Loved the ideas and the plot.
September 15, 2018
Interesting,there are moments that makes you want to go back and read it again.David Baddiel is very funny!
By Madeleine age 8
By Madeleine age 8
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews