See moreA laugh-out-loud, against-all-odds triumph of a story: the funniest debut of 2021
Billy Plimpton is an eleven-year-old boy with a big dream.
He wants to be a stand-up comedian when he grows up: delivering pinpoint punch-lines and having audiences hang on his every hilarious word.
A tough career for anyone, but surely impossible for Billy, who has a stammer. How will he find his voice, if his voice won't let him speak?
The idea for this story came from Helen Rutter's son, who has a stammer: she wanted to write the book that he would love to read, starring a child like him.
'This incredibly debut tugs at your heartstrings and makes you laugh out loud in equal measure. I guarantee you'll be cheering along in the final pages!' Lisa Thompson
'It's Wonder with one-liners.' Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher
'As warm and wise as it is funny.' Shappi Khorsandi
'A laugh out loud story, the like of which I've never read before.' Kerry Godliman
'This book is a great way of showing children how to be confident and winners by having a sense of humour and making others laugh.' Baroness Floella Benjamin
'This book is brilliant. It is funny, wise, kind and exciting.' Marcus Brigstocke
'So funny and joyful.' Rachel Parris