Nathalia Buttface and the Most Embarrassing Dad in the World

Nathalia Bumole (pronounced Bew-mow-ley) has the most embarrassing surname in the world, bestowed upon her by the most embarrassing Dad in the world. Everything that he does goes wrong in a spectacularly public way, from taking her to school to arranging her birthday party. Nathalia can’t really understand why her career Mum sticks up for him, but then, she isn’t often there to benefit from the full embarrassment experience. All Nathalia really wants is to be an it-girl, but instead she’s lumbered with the naughtiest and dirtiest boy in the school as her only friend.

But gradually, as she staggers from drama to crisis, Nathalia realises that popularity is skin deep. It takes a final, cringingly awful denouement for Nathalia to realise that her Dad means well, that Dads are actually supposed to be embarrassing and as Dads go, hers actually isn’t so bad. She learns to look below the surface of people to appreciate the real, caring person within.

This is an hilarious romp through the life of a typical 11-year-old girl. The events are, of course, much exaggerated for their comedic value, but the feelings of the characters ring all too true. For any tweenager, girl or boy, who enjoys a laugh-out-loud book to read, this has to be one to consider.