Really funny, perfect for reading aloud with younger ones! Just as funny as you'd expect from Simon Farnaby.

This was a nice, funny middle grade. I think that it is too long though, as to me it read as if it was the lower end of MG, and best part of 400 pages is far too long for an 8/9 year old, which is what I think the intended audience is.
The characters were good, I liked the premise and I liked the character arcs that we see. Atmosphere was decent, I was interested for most of the book, got a bit bored in the middle, but as I said, its at least 100 pages too long.
The writing style was OK, bit too twee for me, although I did enjoy the 5th Century insults with descriptions!
Overall it was a mid range 3*. A solidly OK book. I'd suggest that is better suited to a bedtime read to children, rather than a read yourself.

For his various crimes and acts of mischief, Dark Ages warlock (that's a bad wizard ;D) Merdyn the Wild is sentenced to seven years in the rivers of purgatory. Unfortunately, Merdyn's rival/archnemesis gets the wrong spell and sends him into the future instead, to the 21st century. There he meets schoolgirl Rose Falvey. Lost in a strange time without his magic staff, Merdyn needs help to get home; Rose's family hasn't been in a great place as of late and a bit of magic may be just what she needs. Or will it just lead to more trouble?
A good thumbnail description for the debut novel from Simon Farnaby (comic actor & writer who, amongst other things, is part of the team that gave us 'Horrible Histories', 'Yonderland' and (one of programmes of recent years) 'Ghosts) would be an uproarious Catweazel for the 21st century (a childhood favourite of my Mum's and what the premise & tittle immediately reminded me of), but it is also, of course, it's own original thing too. Farnaby's authorial voice is strong throughout (and thankfully he also narrates the audiobook - it would be a criminally missed opportunity if he didn't), and you can tell it's been written by someone with a love of language -especially very old-fashioned insults XD - with a few turns of phrase worthy of Dahl, enchanced by occasional very humourous footnote and great book design (different fonts for onomatopeoic words for instance).
The story is both funny and warm-hearted, with a little surprise at the end. Thoroughly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.

I was very lucky to receive a proof copy of The Wizard In My Shed from the publisher in return for an honest review.

I am obsessed with the tv show Ghosts and Horrible Histories which Simon writes and co-stars in, so I absolutely jumped at the chance to get to read this exciting new kids book!!

I had high expectations for this book, I was hoping for a very funny book, and this book delivered! It has a very funny narrator who makes lots of jokes which are accessible to kids, but there is a lot of jokes in the book for older readers too, which I always enjoy.

The book tells the story of Rose, who runs into Merdyn, a Wizard from the Dark Ages who has been banished to the 21st Century as punishment. Rose agrees to help Merdyn get home in return for some of his magical spells.

This is a very funny and quirky kids book. It is told by a narrator who is a character in themselves, which I always love, who gives the story a very chatty conversational tone and which makes the book very enjoyable to read. I also find that these kind of chatty books can be excellent for reluctant readers or those who lack a wee bit of confidence, as the casual narrative can be easier for them to read and a lot less intimidating!

The book is crammed full of magic, from spells to make you travel through time, fly, and even allow you to talk to animals, there is magic on every page, and Farnaby make the magic flow with such a fun style.

Overall I really enjoyed The Wizard In My Shed, its a very funny and clever kids book, the first of a series I hope!!

This is an outrageously funny story that puts me in mind of the 1970s series, Catweazle. When a wizard from the early medieval period is transported to the modern world all kinds of problems start to happen. Definitely a great read for the middle grade reader.

What a delight of a book, had me snorting with laughter and a bit teary eyed by the end!

We follow Rose, a young girl with great optimism trying to keep her family together but it's not easy. Her mum stays on the couch all day, her brother only cares about his looks and Rose has been having trouble making friends at her new school. With only her guinea pig, Bubbles, by her side she tries to think of schemes that will bring her family together and during one of these she finds Merdyn the Wild!
Merdyn the Wild is a Warlock from the 6th century who was banished because of his bad deeds. Together they hatch a plan to help each other. What ensues is as hilarious fish out of water story as Rose tries to help Merdyn understand new technology while Merdyn shows Rose some amazing spells. But an enemy from Merdyns past is closer then they think and both will have to figure out what is more important in the end.

Rose is such a great character to follow, though she has had some tough breaks, she never gives up and just wants to help her mam. I love how she sees the good in everyone, even Merdyn. Merdyn is a hoot in this book, his reactions to smartphones and new clothes had me snorting with laughter, especially his reaction to the toilet.

This book was so full of comedic moments that when the heartfelt moments happened, it just hit you all the harder as these characters were so easy to fall in love with!

I also listened to this as an audio book and the author Simon Farnaby narrates it himself and it just adds so much to the already magical book!

Thank you to Hachette's Children's Books and Netgalley for an early eArc of the book!

Brilliant and funny, this middle grade adventure takes a wizard (sorry, warlock!) named Merdyn, out of the year 511 and deposits him in 21st century Bashingford. There, he meets Rose, a young girl who believes she is destined for greatness in something, she just isn't sure what. Together they try to find a way to get Merdyn back to his own place in time. The tone of the narration reminded me of Terry Pratchett, there are wonderful footnotes throughout, to explain some of Merdyn's ancient exclamations (Gadsbudlikins! anyone?) and the book is wonderfully illustrated by Claire Powell. Thoroughly recommended.

What a fantastic read.

I loved Simon in Horrible Histories and Yonderland; his goofy, hippy Elder was one of my favourite characters, along with Death. This book shows that he's successful at transferring that sense of humour to another medium, which is tricky to do.

Merdyn is wonderful. Perfectly pitched and confused about what's going on around him; swayed, but a good guy underneath it all. (Is that a spoiler? Sorry.) I know that some of his curses were authentic - a childhood reading every version of Robin Hood I could find pays off! - so I assume they all were. I like to imagine that Simon had a copy of Horrible Histories; Wicked Words beside him for reference.

What a great read. I wish there could be a series, but I don't see how it would work ... although if anyone can figure it out, it's Simon. Take my advice; buy this book this Christmas and gift it to anyone who loves Roald Dahl or David Walliams. They'll love it.