Scarlet

The funniest book of the year from an incredibly exciting new voice in children's fiction!

Are you sitting comfortably? Are you fantasising about bamboo? Do you have black and white fur? Are you huge and cute and cuddly-looking? Well, put this book down, because you are a panda, and this is not a book for pandas.

This is a story about a girl called Scarlet. She's nine years old, just like you, if you're nine. If you're not nine, then she's more like someone else who is nine. She has red hair, just like you, unless your hair is brown. She is 127 centimetres tall, just like you, unless you're taller or shorter. Her favourite colour is green, just like you, unless your favourite colour is grey, although that seems highly unlikely. And she is as smart as a shiny button, just like you.

Scarlet only responds to the advert at the back of the Beano for the role of Defender of the Universe to prove to her annoying younger brother that it's not a real thing... so she's a little surprised to be told that she's got the job and is now responsible for the safety of the entire galaxy. Along with her co-Defender Jasper, Pom-Pom, the cutest alien in existence, and Bot, the cleverest AI robot that's ever been invented, Scarlet is thrown into a whirlwind adventure that takes her to the furthest reaches of the cosmos and back again, on a mission to prevent the destruction of planet Earth by an alien species who will do anything for a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Illustrated throughout in black and white by Dotty Sutton, and perfect for fans of Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good, My Brother is a Superhero, Charlie Changes into a Chicken and Mr Gum, Scarlet: Defender of the Universe is the unbelievably funny, exciting, and action-packed debut by James Davis - a middle-grade Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

In this best-selling children's fiction, Scarlet's journey is a magical blend of fantasy and science. The humorous adventures and social themes make it a top choice for kids and juvenile readers, offering stories of friendship that are both captivating and relatable.

For fans of David Toht (The Goose that Fell from the Sky), and Joseph Alton M.D. (Snowbie).

HarperCollins Children's 2025