Schools are invited to join us (free of charge) online for a very special virtual event with author Sam Copeland as he presents his hilarious new fantasy adventure story, Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quest, which we are delighted to have as our Children’s Book of the Month for May.

Recommended age: year groups 3-6

As part of this 45-minute interactive schools’ event Sam will introduce pupils to his books including brand new fantasy series Alex vs Axel, revealing where he gets his inspiration from. Sam will then host a hilarious Battle of the Heroes competition with audience interaction, featuring challenges and a quiz. Sam will end the event by leaving children with an important message about the real battles we face in life, bravery, and our heroes.Schools will also have the chance to put questions to Sam for this special event.

Alex vs Axel is the first in a new hilarious, identity-swapping fantasy series from Sam Copeland, author of The Underpants of Chaos and bestseller Charlie Changes into a Chicken. The book is highly illustrated throughout by Dotty Sutton and is perfect for ages eight and above.

Alex is a normal, everyday kid, living in a normal, everyday city. Axel is a monster-slaying hero, living in a world of magic. But when the two boys mysteriously swap places, each of them ends up being mistaken for the other.

With zero experience of heroism, Alex is thrust into an epic quest to defeat the evil Felonius Gloam, who has stolen the Book of Lifetales and is using it to unravel the very fabric of the world of Aërth.

Meanwhile, Axel is faced with double maths, a gran who's six months behind on the rent, and a crucial chess tournament he's got to win – when he doesn't even know how to play. Can the two boys complete their Impossible Quests and find a way back to their own lives, or will they both discover they don't have a life to come back to . . . ?

About Sam Copeland

Sam Copeland is an author, which has come as something of a surprise to him. He is from Manchester and now lives in London with two smelly cats, three smelly children and one relatively clean-smelling wife. He is the author of the bestselling Charlie Changes Into a Chicken series (the first book of which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize), Uma and the Answer to Absolutely Everything and Greta and the Ghost Hunters. With Jenny Pearson, he has also written Tuchus & Topps Investigate: The Underpants of Chaos and Tuchus & Topps Investigate: The Attack of the Robot Librarians. Despite legal threats, he refuses to stop writing.

Waterstones Virtual Author Visits are the perfect opportunity to encourage reading for pleasure, introducing children to new books as well as fabulous author & illustrators, and to help inspire a love of reading even in the most reluctant readers. Taking part will support children’s literacy, creative writing and encourage a love of reading for pleasure.

Taking place on Zoom, this 45-minture webinar session will include a live presentation from the author, giving children the chance to hear about the authors book, characters and writing processes. There will also be a chance for children to have their questions answered live during the event!

Often pupils are very inspired to read the author’s book after the event, so we have created a special discount on Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quest, for school account orders. Schools can save 30% on single copy or a class set by contacting [email protected]. Copies of the book can also be purchased at £6.50 (RRP £7.99 – incl. P&P) using the link below between now and the event on Wednesday 15th May.

Once you register with your email address, you’ll be sent a Zoom link to the webinar. Registered schools will also receive an email including a chapter sampler and teachers’ resources that can be printed for the classroom.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]