Bumpfizzle the Best on Planet Earth

by Patricia Forde

Elina Braslina (Illustrator) and Elína Brasliņa (Illustrator)

Bumpfizzle is an alien sent to Earth on a mysterious mission from Planet Plonk. Or is he a ten-year-old boy who is jealous of all the attention his parents are giving to The Baby?

"So hilarious! Patricia Forde is definitely the high queen of Irish comedy." — Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl 

Children's Book Council: Spring 2024 Showcase: Reading List: Transformation

Bumpfizzle is on a mysterious mission to Earth from Planet Plonk. His Earth family is OK. Except for the four-legged brother (Mr Sooty) and The Baby – which leaks from both ends.

Bumpfizzle’s confusion at Earthling behaviours, as reported in his diary and his frequent reports back to Plonk, are hilarious, and his adventures are ridiculous, from eating the cat’s food (it makes him throw up, always good for attention) to biting his teacher (to check if humans would make a good source of food for Plonkers) and attempting to sacrifice a goat (he soon discovers what goats’ horns are for).

Elina Braslina's playful, Quentin Blake-like illustrations bring Bumpfizzle's adventures on Earth delightfully to life.

"The book was funny. It was very funny. … People who like books with cartoons, and who read Roald Dahl would probably like this book. I’d recommend it to my friend Brooke. You don’t know her." – Sienna (age 11) for the Dublin Inquirer

• ISBN10: 1915071216
• ISBN13: 9781915071217
• Publish Date: 31 May 2022 (first published 1 June 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: IE
• Imprint: Little Island
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 128
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Bumpfizzle the Best on Planet Earth is a odd and quirky illustrated novel for young readers (ages ca. 7-10 years) by Patricia Forde. Originally published in 2018, this reformat and re-release is out 31st May 2022 by Little Island Books. It's 128 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook format. 

There are a lot of giggle/groan out loud moments in this strange little book. Bumpfizzle is an alien warrior sent to Earth to gather intelligence on the local lifeforms. Or, it's just remotely possible that he's actually a 10 year old human boy named Daniel who's less than thrilled with the attention claimed by "The Baby" and the resultant change in the family dynamic. It's set up as a diary, where Bumpfizzle sends his reports back to his boss on planet Plonk with his observations about Earth and the lifeforms which call it home. 

There are genuinely funny moments which honestly surprised an audible chuckle. There are also some alarming moments which were questionable in the extreme. No spoilers, but I don't think animal mistreatment is ever funny under any circumstances. Ever. That being said, despite the odd ending, it's an engaging and fun read.

The spelling and vernacular are UK/RoI English, so North Americans will notice some differences such as "hoover" instead of "vacuum" and "washing" instead of "laundry". None should pose any difficulties in context however. The language is full of whimsy and wordplay and is a lot of fun to read.

Three and a half stars. Odd, but will likely appeal to kids in the same way that Lemony Snicket and Holly Grant's League of Beastly Dreadfuls books do, with a small dash of Captain Underpants. for good measure.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.