The Accidental Billionaire

by Tom McLaughlin

A new, hilarious book from author Tom McLaughlin, creator of the highly-acclaimed The Accidental Prime Minister. Funny by Name. Funny by Nature. Jasper Spam is mad about science, the problem is that all of his experiments tend to end in a BANG, until one day quite accidentally Jasper manages to invent something that will change the world forever . . . One crazy experiment involving a shed, a mallet, and a poorly aimed laser beam results in Jasper's cat Rover, becoming the world's first talking cat. Finally an invention that works - the Cat Chat 2000! Soon people are handing over all of their cash to get a talking cat. With his new found wealth Jasper can finally live the life he's always dreamed of - buying a mansion, sports team, and producing a Hollywood blockbuster. But is there a huge price to pay for bringing talking cats to the world, and money won't be able to solve the problem that the Cat Chat 2000 has caused.

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

I write pictures and doodle words for Bloomsbury, Puffin, Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, The Guardian, Disney, Nickelodeon. After leaving art college in ’97, I spent nearly 10 years as a political cartoonist for The Western Morning News before going freelance.

I’ve been published both as a writer and an illustrator for a number of publishers, had my books translated across Europe and South America. Apart from publishing, I’ve also spent time script writer and a character designer for several animation channels.

I live in Devon, spend most of my days drinking tea and dreaming up new stories.

Reviews

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junior Wallace finds a fortune-winning invention might have its drawbacks.

4.5 stars

Loved the Accidental Prime Minister (after Tom's picture books grew too young for us). So much I read it myself, then to my eldest son, then to my youngest son a few years later. Didn't realise there was a whole series of these (currently available for free on Audible, parents!) so picked one that sounded like a 14 and 8 year old boy would both like it on our journeys to school.

They did. You can't really go wrong with a story about a boy called Jasper Spam who's blown up more than one school with his mad inventions. Jasper lives with his cat Rover and pensioner Gran, who has to clean a rich man's house to keep them in cheese on toast. Things are tight.

So when Jasper accidentally finds his newest invention (when aimed just at the right spot...) leads to Rover being able to talk, well... the sky's the limit for the Spams! Surely nothing can go wrong and they'll live happily ever after in gold-plated luxury?!

You've guessed it. There are spanners thrown in the works. It's great fun all round. I LOVED Gran's West Midlands accent in the Audible edition (as a Wulfrunian myself). I loved Jasper's mad ideas and loved Rover's personality. I also loved that previous 'Accidental' books and characters are featured here as well.

A good moral or two about money not being everything. And friends and family sticking together.

McLaughlin does seem to know what stories and characters will appeal, and there's a lot of 'laugh out loud moments' here as well as a great central trio of Spams you want to see again.

For ages 7-11.

[Travis Berketa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that this one was better than The Accidental Secret Agent , but it still had some funny moments that kept my daughters and I entertained.

When schoolboy tinkerer, Jasper Spam, invents a contraption that accidentally makes his cat talk - everyone wants one. Soon Jasper's Cat Chat 2000 is being used to make cats talk all around the world and the boy is raking in billions of dollars for himself, his Gran and his cat, Rover. From here things turn serious as cats seem to be plotting a coup - well, as serious as a cat coup could be.

Lots of laughs for the younger kids.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually quite enjoyed this.

I have been debating whether to continue trying to read some of the books I get recommended from the pupils I teach.

This at first hearing had a very odd plot and reminded me a little Billionaire Boy - more the title - however a boy is able to make cats talk. Very odd.

However this is well written and keeps the reader entertained nicely. And yes although a very far fetched plot, it’s worth a read!

[Nicole Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read half the book with my daughter but did could not finish as my daughter said she found the story boring and didn’t engage her enough. It had great promise as started off quite funny and then the humor just disappeared. Shame as we enjoyed the accidental Father Christmas .

[Inge Hulsker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grappig verhaal over Jasper die per ongeluk een uitvinding doet die miljoenen oplevert. Lekker extreem hoe snel het geld binnenstroomt en hoe snel Jasper, oma en kat Rover het uitgeven. Over-the-top, weinig realistisch, grappig.

[Devante]

it was a good plot, i like how in the end they managed to have the grandma speaking "cat"

[Kate Mountford]

Really good book which i read with youngest son. Lots of laughs too

[Gypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

really really really funny😆🤣

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series of books.
It shows the highs and lows, there's alot of them of being an billionaire.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious book that is aimed at younger ages

[Eszter Molnár · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 7-year-old. The plot was good, easy to follow. Lovely illustrations.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was crazy that cats were able to talk!!!!!

[Zadie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so good! Tom has done lots of good books and this one is one of the best. It's so funny I laughed my head off.

[DG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, fun book.
Read it as a teacher and can imagine the children I work with will enjoy this title.
Some values buried within the storyline too.

[James Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

More brilliance by Tom McLAUGHlin

[Daniel McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gobstoper1788

it us a very good book I recommend it i hope you like it as much as me 01
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