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  • Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth

  • From the UK Children's Laureate 2024–2026
  • By: Frank Cottrell Boyce
  • Narrated by: Peter Capaldi
  • Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

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Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth

By: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Narrated by: Peter Capaldi
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Publisher's Summary

The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word.

Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik.

As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It's only Prez who thinks otherwise.

But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life - like a TV remote that fast-forwards people: 'Anyone can do it, it's just that people don't read the instructions properly'; and a toy lightsaber that entertains guests at a children's party, until one of them is nearly decapitated by it - and Prez is going to have to use his voice to explain himself.

It turns out that Sputnik is writing a guidebook to Earth called Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, and he takes Prez on a journey to discover just those 10 things. Each adventure seems to take Prez nearer to the heart of the family he is being fostered by. But they also take him closer to the day that he is due to leave them forever....

©2017 Frank Cottrell Boyce (P)2017 Macmillan Digital Audio

What listeners say about Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth

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Hi

Best book ten our of ten I loved it sputnick was so funny he all was says have you read the manual

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What a wonderful little surprise

My daughter chose this book because it was narrated by Peter Capaldi, and his performance here was absolutely amazing, we will be hard pressed to find such an engaging narration again! When I heard so many giggles from her while she listened I thought I'd have a listen myself! I was hooked straight away, this story is funny, moving and surprisingly deep for a children's book. It's so nice to find an author who can write a hugely engaging story for children without being patronising! Really just a beautiful, intelligent story with a captivating performance by Peter Capaldi. We look forward to reading more from this author and hope that Peter spoils us with some more narrations in the future!

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