You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!: questions to ask and activities to try
Mr Gum hates children, animals and fun. You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! is a wildly silly classic about standing up to a grump.
What age is it for? You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! is best for ages 7–10. Good for: A grumpy villain and a very silly town.
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! (Andy Stanton and David Tazzyman)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- A grumpy villain and a very silly town
Read it aloud and enjoy the nonsense words. Talk about how Polly stands up for Jake.
What it helps with
- Standing up to bullies
- Wordplay and nonsense
- Humour
- Reading for fun
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Who is Mr Gum?”
- “What does he hate?”
- “Who is Jake?”
- “Who is Polly?”
- “How did she stop him?”
- “What’s the silliest word?”
5-minute activities to try together
Silly words
Invent five silly exclamations like “Shabba me whiskers!”
Town map
Draw Lamonic Bibber.
Free printables: You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Grunts in Trouble (Philip Ardagh and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- A very grubby family and a lot of trouble
- Age
- 7-10
Horrid Henry (Francesca Simon and Tony Ross)
- Best for
- A very naughty boy, and laughing at bad behaviour
- Age
- 6-8
The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton)
- Best for
- A ridiculous treehouse and laugh-out-loud adventures
- Age
- 6-9
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.