This School is Driving Me Nuts

School is driving me nuts cover 4

This School is Driving Me Nuts and Other Funny Plays for Kids, by Duncan Ball, illustrated by Craig Smith, ISBN 9780994234032, paperback, RRP $18.99

This hilarious collection of nine short plays for kids, written by popular author Duncan Ball, ranges from a comic monologue to a play that can involve a whole class, and everything in between. It will suit use both in the classroom and on stage, as well as being lots of fun to read at home. Capturing the imagination and tickling the funny bones of young readers and actors, the plays range from spoof mystery to fantasy to school capers. The book also includes tips on staging the plays.

The lively cover and internal pictures are by well-known illustrator Craig Smith. Originally published as Comedies for Kids in 1988, this fabulous collection has been fully revised and updated by the author, with a brand new play, The Teeth of a Vampire’, added.

Recommended for children aged 7-12.

About the author:

Duncan Ball is the author of many popular books of children’s fiction including the multi-award-winning Selby series about the adventures of the world’s only talking dog, and the Emily Eyefinger books.

Duncan Ball author pic He has also written five novels, a collection of funny poetry, My Sister Has a Big Black Beard, and several picture books, including Two Tengu Tales from Japan, illustrated by David Allan and published by Christmas Press in 2015. His books have been translated into many languages. Born and raised in the USA, Duncan now lives in Sydney, Australia. His website is at www.duncanball.com.au.

About the illustrator:

Craig Smith is one of Australia’s most well-known illustrators. In a 38 year career he has done the illustrations for over 380 picture books, junior novels and educational readers – collaborating with many of Australia’s most lively and experienced writers, including Doug MacLeod, Libby Gleeson, Duncan Ball, Emily Rodda, Paul Jennings, Rachel Flynn and Nigel Gray. Books include Billy the Punk, Where’s Mum?, Cat, Sister Madge’s Book of Nuns, Bob the Builder and the Elves, Emily Eyefinger (series), I Hate Fridays (series), and more recently, The Windy Farm (Shortlisted CBCA Awards 2014), Where Are You, Banana?, Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, Doctor Frankenstein’s Other Monster and I Was Only Nineteen with words and music by John Schumann. Craig is passionate about children learning to think with real curiosity, with humour, with imagination and with empathy. His website is at www.craigsmithillustration.com.