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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June 2009

Click on the question below to discover the answers!

When is Mr Gum hitting the TV? - Kieran
Mr Gum is always hitting the TV, Kieran. He hits the TV when 'Funtime With Crispy' comes on. He hits the TV when the picture goes all wavy and fuzzy. But most of all he hits the TV whenever they interrupt 'Bag of Sticks' to show the half-time football scores.
Hey Andy, if you could do anything in the world what would it be? - Some random kid that lives down the road
I'd like to be in two places at once. That way I could go on holiday to Mexico and at the same time I'd still be at home in London. Then I'd phone myself from Mexico. 'Hello,' I'd say to myself, 'I'm on holiday in Mexico.' 'Oh,' I'd reply. 'Am I having a nice time?' 'Yes,' I'd answer. 'Very pleasant indeed, thanks.'
Andy, what is the name of the launderette that Martin Launderette runs? Plus, how did Mr Gum and Billy William meet? - Brad
The name of the launderette that Martin Launderette runs is 'Martin Launderette's Launderette'. It's not a very exciting name, is it? But then again it's not a very exciting launderette. I'm not telling how MG and BW met, perhaps we'll find out in another book...
Come on Andy Stanton, when are you going to stop scratching your beard long enough to record another Mr Gum audio book? They make car journeys fun! - Spencer
Spencer, There are plans to record more audio books but I don't know exactly when that might happen. Hopefully in the next few months. Now, back to the beard... [SKRITCH SKRITCH SKRRTCH] Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. That's better.
Hi Andy, can you think of six reasons to read a Mr Gum book? - Charlotte
1/ They are funny. 2/ I like them. 3/ They don't taste of spatulas. 4/ They have got words in. 5/ If you read them backwards you get a whole new story for free. 6/ Every time you read a 'Mr Gum' book another elf is born somewhere in the world.
We have started up a Mr Gum simile competition.. I have just won with "as silly as a duck wearing trousers on her head". My sister had "as crazy as a bin bag". - Jasmine
Thanks for your email, Jasmine. It made me as happy as a naughty young flagpole eating wafers while his parents are out at the ballet.
Can you write Polly`s real name in a minute? - Chloe
What a great question!! OK, I am going to do this properly. I'll time myself, here goes: Jammy Grammy Lammy F'Huppa F'Huppa Berlin Stereo Eo Eo Lebb C'Yepp Nermonica le Straypek de Grespin de Crespin de Spespin de Vespin de Whoop de Loop de Brunkle Merry Christmas Lenoir! FORTY-FOUR SECONDS!!! What do you think of that?! (P.S. � That was for real AND from memory, I didn't cheat.)
Do you play an instrument? I play the saxophone but I like reggae and rock. - Cosno Graham
Cosno, I love playing music. For years I played the keyboard pretty badly but now I'm learning the electric guitar. It's so much fun I'm practically exploding just thinking about it. I LOVE music. I can also tootle around on the harmonica quite impressively on occasion.
Hi Andy, would you rather be locked in room with Mr Gum or Monsieur Bellybutton? - Dylan
To be quite honest I'd rather be locked in a room with a swarm of flesh-eating ants.
Hi Andy,do you think it is a good idea to marry Mr Gum so that he will have bad kids as well??? - Masha Shishkina, aged 8
Not really, Masha. There is enough evil in Lamonic Bibber without Mr Gum's horrible little offspring running about all over the place, wouldn't you agree?
How many times have you flabjulated a flibberwonk? - Thomas Sutton
What, this week? This month? In my whole life? Be more specific with your questions, Thomas, you enormous gyrating mango.
Hello. Bedtime reading isn't the same since my mum and me and my brother have finished all the Mr Gum books. When will the next book be ready? - Max Ross
Well, Max. The next book is called 'What's For Dinner, Mr Gum?' and it will be out in November. I know that's a long time to wait and I do apologise. In the meantime I suggest you don't go to bed at all between now and November.
Do you like lego? I am a lego maniac - Ed
I do like Lego, Ed. But I'll tell you what I hate. I hate it when you're walking around in your socks/bare feet and you tread on a bit of Lego on the floor. That's a terrifying scenario, I think even you would agree.
How tall are you? - Lee Bruce
I am just under six foot tall. And did you know that on the planet Pluto I would weigh roughly 5.2 kilograms? Fancy that!
I would like to know if you have any tips that could help me overcome my fear of flying? - Sian, aged thirty-something
As a matter of fact, Sian, I do. My advice is: Whenever you have to fly on an aeroplane, always sit next to a great white shark. You will be so scared of the shark that you will hardly notice the flying. Hope that helps! Byeee!