Bedtime book for the kids. They loved it. Very engaging and funny. I feel like I might end up choosing it as a gift for other families whose kids have similar interests/humour to mine.

A good premise but phoned-in, and shamelessly plugs another of his books.

It's almost a shame that so many will purchase a Walliams books (and that of other celebrity authors) based solely on the name. David Walliams has built up a base of loyal fans deservedly, I'll happily admit. Some heartfelt, hilarious and well constructed tales of resourceful children, hideous adults, exciting plots. He's got a lot of reluctant young readers enjoying books, expanding their imaginations, feeling books CAN be for them. Not many can say that. He is talented, I would not deny he knows what children like.

But there is also an element of lazy writing here. This felt so reminiscent of his World's Worst Children plots and characters, relying on stereotypes and silly words. And can I say, the first time he refers readers to look in his Walliamsictionary for a definition of one of his made-up words, it was amusing. But I lost count, dozens and dozens of such references and I was getting cross. Especially when I was listening to the author read this Audible copy.

The story started well - a boy called Ned, hated by his big sister for the attention his wheelchair-dwelling body relies on, with parents too busy working to see her constant pranks and tricks. A birthday prank discovered - a huge collection of fluids and substances. A bathtub mixture. An evolution-defying intelligent blob of matter created - Slime (either that or Brenda).

After this though, Slime and Ned spend the rest of the book taking revenge on behalf of the children of the island of Mulch. On horrible park keepers, ice cream sellers, teachers. And the owner of the island - Ned's aunt. And of course, there's time for Ned's sister to learn a lesson as well. The plot is episodic, moving from one horrible adult to the next, with their foul names and characters feeling like more World's Worst Parents/Teachers.

Will this be popular? Sure. But it feels quick-buck, dashed off without any thought, base-pleasing. Readers will most likely still love it. But I know he can offer them more than this. It'll be finished in a couple of hours (just 3 hours on Audible, though the full cast is a good one, and it's a structure that children will follow easily if listening to), though I doubt many will feel as satisfied and even moved as some of his earlier novels.

For ages 5-9, slightly younger than Walliam's other books.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.