The Person Controller – David Baddiel’s most excellent new children’s book

When I was asked if I’d like to give away a copy of The Person Controller, I’ll admit I didn’t leap about.
I mean I really like David Baddiel – when he’s nattering aimlessly away with Frank Skinner. But I’ve never read any of his books (sorry Mr Baddiel…), so I really didn’t know if his latest offering would be up to much.
(what? Look, LittleStuff is nothing if it’s not honest)
So I had a quick squizz at a few pages to see what it was like.
And honestly?
My tea went cold and I was on chapter seven before I noticed.

the person controller
I flipping LOVE this book – and as soon as I’ve finished the must-do work for the day I shall be heading straight back to it. And I’m not reading it to 8yr old Bear, either. No – it’s just for me. It genuinely made me laugh out loud. Plus I was really impressed at his very early description of the fatness of Eric – descriptive, honest but not rude or offensive. And so funny…
“…He didn’t have terrible water retention; he had terrible bacon-sandwich retention.”

Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that’s impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren’t that good, however, at much else – like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies.

Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn’t look like any other controller they’ve ever seen. And it doesn’t control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that…

I love Fred and Ellie; it’s the sheer recognisable ordinariness of them – any reader will recognise the life they inhabit, and enjoy the references to familiar games and hurt with them as they deal with Morris & Isla. Best of all for me is the underlying current of strong, unspoken sibling affection that floods the story.This book is as much about what isn’t said – it’s a clever, subtle read that anyone will love but particularly I cannot wait to read it with my 8yr old.

So yes – I’m really really sorry Mr Baddiel. But better late than never; and rest assured I’m going to hunt out The Parent Agency too, now. Also – special mention for Jim Field’s brilliant cartoon illustrations. They’re properly perfect.

Author: Laura

A 70's child, I’ve been married for a Very Long Time, and appear to have made four children, and collected one large and useless dog along the way. I work, I have four children, I have a dog… ergo, I do not do dusting or ironing. I began LittleStuff back in (gulp) 2004. I like huge mugs of tea. And Coffee. And Cake. And a steaming cone of crispy fresh fluffy chips, smothered in salt and vinegar. #healthyeater When I grow up I am going to be quietly graceful, organised and wear lipstick every day. In the meantime I *may* have a slight butterfly-brain issue.

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80 Comments

  1. to take me some where hot when its not nice in england

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    • I wish I had a book where I wrote my dreams and they all came true

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  2. I wish I had a controller to fast forward my exercise

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  3. A remote control like the one in the advert on tv – that changes old thing around the home into bran new!

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  4. A remote control that turns down the volume on my kids, pauses them when they are about to do something dangerous and switches them off at bedtime would be lovely!

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    • I’d pause my life at the good points and enjoy them again

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  5. I would love to be able to push a button so I get an automatic shower, hairwash and dry all in one go.

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  6. Can I rewind the past 9 years so I’m 21 again?!!! ;)

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  7. to fast forward my day at work would be great

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  8. I would love a remote that tidies up after the Grandchildren leave,rather than me doing it

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  9. I’d like to fast forward to next summer already!

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  10. to stop and start time

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  11. for the weather, I would love to be able to click a button depending on what mood I was in and have it change.

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  12. Love a remote to go back in time

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  13. Definitely hanging sheets out on the line. I would rather do any job apart from that. :)

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  14. for 5 mins peace and quiet

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  15. I wish I had a fat controller to keep me grounded

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  16. To take me away from everything just for a little peace and quiet, on a beach with a cocktail would be perfect lol

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  17. I would like a remote to take me in holiday anywhere I wanted

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  18. To get me to my holiday destination in an instant as opposed to the torment of travelling

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  19. I would like a ‘time’ remote control so you can rewind, fast forward, frame by frame and revisit happy times, and change bad times for the better

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  20. to cook the dinner for me x

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  21. A remote control that can be programmed to do DIY would be amazing

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  22. Fast forward to the holidays!

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  23. I’d use it to control the people who walk too slowly in front of me!

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  24. I would have a controller to fast forward putting on shoes and getting out the door for school in the morning, it always seems to take forever!

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  25. I’d love a remote to control the weather

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  26. EASY! That would be to have a cooked dinner ready every night!

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  27. A mute button for when the kids are a bit loud.

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  28. One to make me breakfast in bed

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  29. i would love a remote that would transport me to anywhere in the world with the click of a button!!

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  30. For me and my family to live happy and healthy x

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  31. a volume control for the kids!

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  32. a fast forward button to make my son move quicker in the mornings!

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  33. I’d love a remote control that made me do the housework quicker!

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  34. To sleep – I’ a dreadful insomniac

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  35. oo can i have two? one for getting the cleaning done and one to pause time so i can sleep as long as i want

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  36. keeping the kids quiet for 5 minutes lol!!

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  37. Either to do all the cleaning in the house without me lifting a finger, or to get my son dressed and ready for school on time!!

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  38. I wish i had one to Fast Forward my housework

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  39. To pause life when you just need that time to be by yourself and either scream, cry or laugh

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  40. to clean the house

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  41. I would use it to make really annoying people disappear…does that make me a bad person? ;)

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  42. To get another pair of hands in on this and tidy up.

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  43. I’d like one to produce instant healthy meals that the kids will actually eat!

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  44. I’d love to pause the kids – they are growing too quickly!!!

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  45. I would like one that did all the housework

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  46. I would like to slow time during the night so I could sleep for longer!

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  47. id love to mute my family at times!

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  48. A button on a remote that dealt with all the laundry – washed, dried, ironed and put away!

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  49. A remote control to speed up cleaning

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  50. To help me clean and cook

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  51. To pick the kids’ dirty clothes up off the floor and put them into the correct compartments of the laundry bin! The one job that drives me crazy!

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  52. I’d love a remote control that could make different dinners at the press of the button! And another button for washing up of course :)

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  53. something to do all the cleaning

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  54. I WOULD LOVE A REMOTE SO I COULD PAUSE CERTAIN TIMES OF MY LITTLE BOYS GROWING UP XX

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  55. I can’t decide which would be better if it cooked or got my son ready for school

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  56. I’d have power over the Euro Millions balls so I could win the jackpot enough times I’d be up there with the billionaires.

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  57. A remote that cooks delicious food for me and the family :)

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  58. To do all the cooking and cleaning.

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  59. Automatic ironer – I hate ironing!

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  60. To rewind stupid mistakes!

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  61. To tidy up after everyone in my house!

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  62. A remote button to freeze time after breakfast, so I can get myself and daughter ready to leave at our pace instead of one big rush

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  63. a button that controls the kids xx

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  64. I’d like a button to speed up my boys, especially in the morning getting ready for school!! ?

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  65. Remote for peace & quiet would be nice especially when the girls are squabbling & the football is on in the background

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  66. To fast forward when my neighbors visit to gossip.

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  67. My son loves reading David Walliams books

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  68. My 4 year old lol :-)

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  69. Has to be the housework – a long working week and then a chunk of the weekend cleaning ….. oh boy! What happened to the robots they promised us 20-30 years ago …. not quite there yet :)

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  70. This book would be a winner in our house

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  71. I would love a remote that controlled the weather!

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  72. oh yes i think it has to be one for the housework too, with a hubby 5 kids and a grandson to clean up after here

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  73. To rewind my mistakes!!

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  74. I’d love a remote for the volume on my husband and son when they are watching football on the TV, you really can’t hear yourself think

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  75. To clean the bathroom

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Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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  2. 5 Essential Tips for Reluctant Readers (or 'how do I get my child to love reading and books?!') - LittleStuff - […] are something children (and their grown-ups) really love about David Baddiel’s books (you can read our own review of…

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