Egmont - We bring stories to life

Every day Andy Stanton is asked questions. Someone might say "Hey Andy, what's it like being the writer of the best books ever written?"

If you have an equally brilliant question you'd like to ask Andy please type it in the box below and click "Submit your question!". By the power of technology your question will be directed to Andy, and by the power of his brain he will answer!

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December 2008

Click on the question below to discover the answers!

Do you have a cat? - William Burton

No, but my mum does. He is called Oscar the cat. How come we always end up talking about Oscar the cat in 'Ask Andy' anyway? Soon Oscar the cat will be more famous than me. If he isn't already.

Hello Andy, My school came to see you at the Adam Smith Theatre with David the Butterfly. Are you going to write a Mr Gum book with David in it? - From Saski Haresign the girl who held David the butterfly and there is a picture on your phone.

Oh, boy. First Oscar the cat and now David the butterfly. I give up. For those who don't know what Saski is talking about (i.e. 99.9999999999999999999984 percent of the world's population) I will explain. In October this year I gave a talk at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. Unfortunately no one really listened to what I was saying because of a surprise guest who kept flapping across the stage and making everyone incredibly over-excited. It was David the butterfly! No one knew what he was doing or why he was there, but it was nothing short of rib-poppingly hilarious. As for whether I'll do a story about him, only time will tell...

Have you swam the channel? - Milli Barot

No, but I can play the harmonica a bit. Do I win a prize?

Does Mr Gum like poker? - Alfie Kennedy

Only red-hot poker. He likes poking it at people.

Hi Andy, how many drafts did it take you before you finished Mr Gum and the dancing bear? - Daniel Burmiston

Interesting question, Daniel. I just had a look at the manuscripts on my computer... Looks like about four major drafts and a lot of little changes at the last minute.

Dear Andy, are you married or otherwise romantically involved? Kind regards, your future wife. P.S (so romantic) - Hera

Believe it or not, Hera, I am startlingly available and handsome. Please get in touch with your terms and conditions.

Mr Gum looks a bit like you (no offence) but did you ask the illustrator to make him look like you? Please let me remind you I did say NO OFFENCE SO DON'T COME AFTER ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BYE P.S Mr Gum books are awesome!!!!!!!!! - Lulla Bulla

lulla bulla (if that is your real name), I am afraid I DO choose to take offence and I AM GOING TO COME AFTER YOU, SO WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. OK, you're forgiven for the 'Mr Gum books are awesome' comment. Lucky escape.

That old biscuit of yours, I wouldn't really mind if he was penniless he's still a biscuit! Did Mrs Lovely make him? - Holly Ullyott

No, no, NO! Mrs Lovely makes sweets, not biscuits. Don't you understand ANYTHING? NEXT!

Have you read lots of Shakespeare's plays? I have noticed that you use lots of oxymorons; eg gentle lullabies about fierce lions. I loved your book Mr gum and the Goblins. My teacher loves all you books she laughs at them all the time when we read them. Also my teacher and I loved all your illustrations they were all vey good. hope to see lots more great books from you. - Emily West

Awww, thanks to you and your teacher for your kind words - although I don't do the illustrations, of course. That honour goes to the fantastic Mr David Tazzyman. I have read a few of Shakespeare's plays, but not all of them by a long stretch. As for the oxymorons, I didn't realise I used them so much - clever Andy Stanton! (Actually, 'clever Andy Stanton' might be an oxymoron. D'oh!)

What would you do if your stories came to life???? - Ricky

I would turn myself into a story in a book so they'd have to read about me instead of the other way around.

Hello Andy I love your Mr Gum books I read one at school. What football team do you support because I support Liverpool. - Kyle, age 9

I support Underwater United. They are rubbish because they play underwater and they can't kick the ball very far. Also they keep having to come to the surface to breathe and while they're doing that, Octopus Hotspurs score loads of goals against them.

Why does old granny like sherry? and why is padlock called padlock? - Tamsin Bush

Because all old ladies secretly enjoy a bit of sherry from time to time. TRUE. And Padlock is called Padlock because he is. TRUE.

Did Polly have any parents or family? - Emma

I am not telling... yet. Perhaps we'll find out in a later book. Or perhaps not. Isn't life exciting?

Do you actually live in Lamonic Bibber? If so, can you please get me Oink Balloon's autograph? Bye! - Tombleyboo

No, Tombleyboo, I live in London. But I do visit Lamonic Bibber quite often. If I happen to see Oink Balloon around, I'll see what I can do.