Publisher Description

"Want to know something else about me? I am Billy Bramble: the King, the President and the Emperor of Bad Lucksville. I am the Chief Executive of Bad Luck Limited, the Bad Luck Champion of the World, the Bad Luck Guinness World Record holder and it's all thanks to my invisible dog Gobber. He's my Bringer of Bad Luck."

Billy Bramble likes rude words, smelly farts, loud farts and freestyle sneezing but when BAD THINGS happen, his invisible angry dog Gobber barks in his ears, gives him brain mash and breaks things. One day a competition is announced at school - The Great Big Cook Off - can Billy Bramble defeat Gobber and change his epic bad luck?

An irreverent story for children aged 8-12 about a less than perfect boy, this book will inspire any child who's ever secretly thought they might be less than perfect too.

Notes

An irreverent story about a less than perfect boy, which will inspire any child who's secretly thought they might be less than perfect too. Ages: 8+

Author Biography

Sally Donovan OBE is an award-winning writer and adoptive parent honoured for her work in the adoption field. She became a writer with Jessica Kingsley Publishers after long diversions into aerospace and horticulture. Sally was business columnist of the year in 2013/14 as judged by The British Society of Magazine Editors and the Professional Publishers Association for work with the magazine Community Care. In 2017, she was awarded an OBE. Sally is a reader, a gardener, a walker, and a committed tea drinker. She also loves music, comedy, and people being nice to each other. She is a passionate voice within the UK adoption community, and Tweets at @sallydwrites.

Review

Billy Bramble is a fantastic book. It gives you an insight into people who may struggle and how their surroundings can influence their behaviours and attitudes. Billy Bramble is a nice boy with an angry, imaginary dog. Together they battle with certain feelings. I believe everyone can learn something from this book, not least that through persisting, eventually, in spite of hardship, you can achieve. -- Coby, 12
Brilliant and thoughtful insight into the mind of an eleven year old and the wonderful power of cooking. -- Lorraine Pascale
Poor Billy seems to get everything wrong. However hard he tries, somehow or another things never work out well. And secretly Billy knows why - it's him, there is something wrong with him.

Sally Donovan's deeply felt story gives us a glimpse of how hard it is for Billy to keep trying and hoping that things might be different. He seems actively to push away all attempts to help him and the adults struggle to know how to do anything of use. With his tricky dog by his side Billy doesn't know how to be close. Until the Cook Off. The accumulation of the months and years of stubborn care provided by kind adults starts to break through and we see the vulnerable parts of Billy (which have been there all along) begin to emerge.

This moving and psychologically sound story encapsulates many key themes expressed by vulnerable children and paints a vivid picture of the seeming impossible dilemmas they may be facing. Compelling for children, this book will also be of great value to adults as through Billy they gain insight into the risks children face when they begin to dare to trust. -- Dr Vivien Norris, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
I like the way Billy has an invisible dog. It is one of the best books I have read. -- Sophie, 13
I love Billy - he is funny and cool and awesome and I understand him. I think he was very brave for entering the competition. The story made me laugh a lot. -- JB
The book shows even if you are different you can achieve. -- Jordan, 14
The story is good. It makes you want to read on. -- Adam, 12
I liked the character of Billy. -- Thomas, 13
An inspiring read which will encourage children to get cooking in order to make delicious food and also gain confidence in their own abilities. -- Jo Ingleby, BBC Cook of the Year 2015 and Chef in Residence at Redcliffe Children's Centre

Promotional

Meet Billy Bramble, the Bad Luck Champion of the World!

Long Description

Sally Donovan grew up in a small town in England and studied English at Exeter University. After 10 years working in commercial management, she retrained for a new career in horticulture, working for several years in historic gardens. In 2004, Sally and her husband Rob adopted two children from local authority care. Like many children adopted from within the UK today, Sally and Rob's children had suffered neglect and abuse in their early lives. Together they have journeyed through the many challenges of building a family with children so profoundly affected by their early trauma.

Review Text

An inspiring read which will encourage children to get cooking in order to make delicious food and also gain confidence in their own abilities.

Review Quote

Billy Bramble is a fantastic book. It gives you an insight into people who may struggle and how their surroundings can influence their behaviours and attitudes. Billy Bramble is a nice boy with an angry, imaginary dog. Together they battle with certain feelings. I believe everyone can learn something from this book, not least that through persisting, eventually, in spite of hardship, you can achieve.

Promotional "Headline"

Meet Billy Bramble, the Bad Luck Champion of the World!

Description for Sales People

My Name is Billy Bramble, the Bad Luck Champion of the World! I look forward to meeting you and telling you how I overcome Big Angry Dog Gobber and enter The Great Big Cook Off. An irreverent, streetwise story for children aged 8-12.

Details