Book excerpt: The first of Allan Ahlberg's mini-masterpieces for early readers, with striking illustrations by Katharine McEwen. Winner of the Red House Children's Book Award, this book is the first in a series of brilliantly funny early readers by Allan Ahlberg. One morning Mr Gaskitt puts on all his clothes, Mrs Gaskitt picks up a robber in her taxi, Gus and Gloria have trouble with a teacher, Horace the cat goes to a friend's house to watch TV and the car radio gets things wrong. What follows is an action-packed, massively swift-paced and farcical romp as different plots interweave and end in a thrilling car chase with Mr Gaskitt saving the day! With lively illustrations by Katharine McEwen."A delight from beginning to end. The pictures are outstanding and mark the advent of a really inspired illustrator." The Financial Times"Ahlberg's direct and funny storytelling style makes reading as near-effortless as possible." Guardian "Huge fun and ideal for early readers." Independent on Sunday