What could a boy and an alien chicken from planet Nurgle-7 possibly have in common? Quite a lot as it turns out. Stuck on a stinky farm, alone and far from home, Bertie and Nugget’s chance encounter has earth-shattering repercussions; unless Bertie can help Nugget find the world’s greatest resource, the whole planet will be exterminated by the High Emperor of Nurgle-7 for being completely useless.
Uncle Brian thinks it’s cows, the farm hands suggest manure or tractors, but Nugget thinks his alien overlords are looking for something that will give Nurgle-kind the means to control others and protect themselves.
But what could this be? And how can it be beamed into space? Luckily quick-thinking Bertie has a plan that just might work.
With engaging chapter headings like What’s Oopsilon? and How exactly do you move cows? the humour and heart of Jenny Pearson’s hilarious story are perfectly captured by Aleksei Bitskoff’s zingy cover and expressive illustrations – Bertie performing the Heimlich manoeuvre on Nugget, while the chicken accidentally lays an egg, is definitely one of my favourites. And if that doesn’t give you an idea of what you’re in for, I don’t know what will!
It’s worth noting that this gorgeous book also has Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock – giving this middle grade story the widest possible appeal.
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