Andy Stanton author page

Andy Stanton biography

Andy Stanton is an English children’s author from North London, best known for the comic Mr Gum series, illustrated by David Tazzyman. He studied English at Oxford University before being expelled, and has worked as a stand‑up comedian, film script reader, cartoonist and NHS administrative assistant.

His debut book, You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum!, was published in 2006 and launched an eight‑part series that includes titles such as Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear and Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout. The series has won several awards, including the inaugural Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2008, the Red House Children’s Book Award and two Blue Peter Book Awards.

Stanton adapted Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear into a stage musical, writing the book and lyrics; it premiered at the National Theatre, London, in July 2019. He also narrates the audiobooks for the series, performing all character voices, sound effects and songs.

Beyond Mr Gum, Stanton has published several standalone titles including Danny McGee Drinks the Sea (2016), When I Was a Child and The Paninis of Pompeii (2019), and Benny the Blue Whale: One Author’s Descent into the Madness of AI (2023).

Stanton hosts the podcast Ask the Nincompoops and remains active in live events, author talks and literary festivals. He continues to live and work in North London.

Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear won the inaugural Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2008.

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