Walliams reveals 'fantastically funny' new tale Slime for HCCB

David Walliams has revealed his new book with Tony Ross for HarperCollins Children’s Books, a “fantastically funny tale” called Slime for readers aged seven and over.

The comedic adventure, featuring black and white illustrations by Ross, will be published on 2nd April in hardback, e-book and audio.

It takes place on the Isle of Mulch, home to a large number of “awful adults who like nothing more than making children miserable”. The publisher explained: “The island is owned by the most awful one of all—Aunt Greta Greed! Something needs to be done about them. But who could be brave enough? Meet Ned! Ned has lived on Mulch all his life and whilst trying to get his own back on his trickster sister, Jemima, he discovers one of the great mysteries of the world—slime! What is it? Who is it? Where does it come from? And how does Ned use slimepower to take on the horrible grown-ups of Mulch? David Walliams’ legion of fans will delight in an enthralling read that finally unearths the legend of the origins of slime.”

Walliams said: “All children love slime, so I hope they will love this book too. It tells the story of how slime was created, and a boy uses it to wreak revenge on some nasty grown-ups.” 

His first book of 2020 comes hard on the heels of The Beast of Buckingham Palace—the author’s third Christmas number one. Walliams, last year’s biggest-selling author, has shifted 18.6 million books for £108m during his publishing career, with Gangsta Granny his bestseller on 1.4 million copies.

HarperCollins Children’s Books executive publisher, Ann-Janine Murtagh, said: “What a fantastic and cheering Easter surprise for Walliams fans everywhere. Slime is an action-packed adventure in which David’s incredible imagination brings to life a gloriously gloopy character who sets off with the most extraordinary of heroes, Ned, on the most fantastical adventure. David has created a whole new world, vividly brought to life with Tony’s witty illustrations. Endlessly inventive and totally original, Slime is the most fun that any child will have in a book.”