What’s the book about?
Readers – you are warned. Again!
This book will have you saying, hey, GIMME SOME SPACE!
When moon rocks begin to crash-land on Monkey Island, Poppy and Billy suspect The Fugitives might be behind the chaos. Luckily, they have an idea: modifying Mum’s greatest invention, The Marvellous Submarine, to fly it INTO SPACE!
Together with seriously smart Harold the Gorilla and their animal crew, Poppy and Billy try to solve the mystery of an intergalactic heist, get caught up in a wild space storm, climb the biggest volcano in the universe and meet a space cowboy in search of his Super-Duper Lasso Blaster!
So hold on, partner, as you’re about to be rocketed into A WHOLE LOT OF SPACE!
Recommended for:
Ages 7+
Three reasons to read it:
- This book is packed with comically outrageous moments that will make you laugh out loud from start to finish. The story begins with moon rocks crashing down onto Monkey Island, which is already a wild and unexpected problem for Poppy and Billy to face. Then everything gets even more ridiculous as they convert their mum’s invention, The Marvellous Submarine, not just to float or swim, but to blast into space. Moon rocks, mysterious space storms and a space cowboy searching for a Super-Duper Lasso Blaster all combine for a nonstop, delightfully loopy adventure that feels like a big, goofy rollercoaster ride in space.
- One of the coolest parts about this book is the team that Poppy and Billy travel with, especially Harold the Gorilla. With Harold and the rest of the animal crew by their side, the kids are out to solve a big mystery about an intergalactic heist. Having a gorilla who’s sharp-witted and ready for anything adds a fresh kind of humour and personality to a story that already has plenty of crazy space action.
- Marvellous Submarine #2: Gimme Some Space is part of a very funny, irresistibly silly junior fiction with lots of illustrations woven throughout the text. There are lots of pictures that show the submarine flying into space, giant volcanoes and strange characters like the space cowboy. This mix of wild storytelling and fun art makes the book easy to read and exciting for kids who enjoy visual and imaginative books that feel like a hybrid between a comic and a chapter book.
Buy a copy of Marvellous Submarine #2: Gimme Some Space here.
About the author:
Clayton Zane Comber is the author of 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze, published by HarperCollins in 2021, and shortlisted for the 2022 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Clay has been a speaker and workshop leader for writers’ festivals and schools all around Australia. He received his MA from Sydney University, before studying in the UK and graduating from Oxford University with distinction for his Master’s in Creative Writing. In addition to writing, Clay is also a DJ.
Conor McCammon has been writing stories for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Werri Beach surrounded by family, cats, and a whole lot of books. Conor attended the University of Wollongong, where he graduated with First Class Honours in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He currently works in Federal politics as a junior policy advisor.
It’s great to see books like Marvellous Submarine #2 encouraging kids to use their imagination and enjoy adventurous stories. Fun, illustrated fiction like this can really help young readers stay engaged while exploring creative worlds like space and science. While browsing information related to educational and public resources online, I recently came across Jefferson Parish Court Records, which shows how digital platforms can make official information easier for people to access and understand. In a similar way, books and online resources together can support curiosity and learning for both kids and adults. Finding that balance between storytelling and accessible information online seems like a really positive direction.