Scarlet: Defender of the Universe: New for 2025, an incredibly funny illustrated story for children

The funniest book of the year from an incredibly exciting new voice in childrenÕs fiction!

Are you sitting comfortably? Are you fantasising about bamboo? Do you have black and white fur? Are you huge and cute and cuddly-looking? Well, put this book down, because you are a panda, and this is not a book for pandas.

This is a story about a girl called Scarlet. SheÕs nine years old, just like you, if youÕre nine. If youÕre not nine, then sheÕs more like someone else who is nine. She has red hair, just like you, unless your hair is brown. She is 127 centimetres tall, just like you, unless youÕre taller or shorter. Her favourite colour is green, just like you, unless your favourite colour is grey, although that seems highly unlikely. And she is as smart as a shiny button, just like you.

Scarlet only responds to the advert at the back of the Beano for the role of Defender of the Universe to prove to her annoying younger brother that itÕs not a real thingÉ so sheÕs a little surprised to be told that sheÕs got the job and is now responsible for the safety of the entire galaxy. Along with her co-Defender Jasper, Pom-Pom, the cutest alien in existence, and Bot, the cleverest AI robot thatÕs ever been invented, Scarlet is thrown into a whirlwind adventure that takes her to the furthest reaches of the cosmos and back again, on a mission to prevent the destruction of planet Earth by an alien species who will do anything for a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Illustrated throughout in black and white by Dotty Sutton, and perfect for fans of Loki: A Bad GodÕs Guide to Being Good, My Brother is a Superhero, Charlie Changes into a Chicken and Mr Gum, Scarlet: Defender of the Universe is the unbelievably funny, exciting, and action-packed debut by James Davis Ð a middle-grade HitchhikerÕs Guide to the Galaxy.