Puffin Podcast ‘Mission Imagination’ launched, hosted by multi award winning comedian Babatunde Aléshé

Mission Imagination, a brand new series of the Puffin podcast has launched.

Hosted by the stand-up comedian, actor, writer and fan favourite of Celebrity Gogglebox Babatunde Aléshé, alongside two young Puffineers, there’ll be a new adventure for each week of the summer holidays. Each episode will whoosh children away to a different magical world created by a fantastic Puffin author.

From magical forests to Biscuitville, children will be taken to places where sweets really do grow on trees, where puffins are rulers of the land, and where you can swim in a sea of chocolate. But, be warned, there are rules for stepping foot in these dreamlands - and when rules are broken, danger follows . . . What Danger? Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out.

Tom Austin, Head of Brand and Social at Puffin, said: “We are thrilled to bring Mission Imagination, season 2 of the Puffin Podcast, to audiences just in time for the Summer holidays. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to jump into the imagination of a different Puffin author each episode. Host Babatunde Aléshé, alongside his cheeky sidekicks, brings so much joy and positivity to the podcast. Mission Imagination captures the magic of storytelling in a way that’s accessible for all”.

The author line-up and key titles include:

• Humza Arshad, author of “Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties”
• Jen Carney, author of “The Accidental Diary of B.U.G.”
• Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of “How to Change the World”
• Greg James and Chris Smith, authors of “The Great Dream Robbery”
• Robin Stevens, author of the bestseller series “Murder Most Unladylike” |
• Nathan and Dapo, author and illustrator of Waterstones Children’s book of the Year 2020 Look Up! and this year’s sequel Clean Up!
• Abigail Balfe, author of “A Different Sort of Normal”

Kicking off the first episode is actor, comedian, host, and writer, Humza Arshad, who invites listeners to a world of space exploration, featuring ninja-rapper-gangsters, a special cricket planet where you can play endless cricket in the championship, a spy headquarters where top secret work is conducted and the perfect reading spot in the far corners of the galaxy.

The adventure with Humza, host Babatunde and two young Puffineers takes a turn for the worst when one crucial rule is broken and chaos ensues with the threat of green one eyed monsters and the scariest of all - killer aunties.

Humza Arshad said: “I am chuffed to be launching the second series of the Puffin Podcast but this time as a guest rather than the host! I can’t think of a better person to hand the mic over to than Babatunde. I’m really looking forward to sharing the world of imagination with listeners. Though I’m a bit nervous about being on the other end now and what those cheeky two young Puffineers might ask me!”

New episodes drop every Wednesday - and listeners can get involved by scribbling down any story ideas of their own along the way. Listeners also have the chance to be heard on the airwaves, sharing voicenotes about their Would You Rather questions for authors and their magical world to puffinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

Families can download a free Mission Imagination activity kit, filled with riddles, maps and everything an excited explorer needs on their audio adventure from puffin.co.uk/podcast .

Mission Imagination will be available on Apple, Spotify, all major podcast platforms and Puffin books YouTube channel from Wednesday 28th July.

Mission Imagination is produced by Mags Creative, the production team behind successful podcasts such as Deliciously Ella: The Podcast, Well Far: The Running Podcast and Castaway with Laura Whitmore.

About Babatunde Aléshé

Celebrated stand up star Babatunde Aléshé is one of the fastest rising names in British comedy. He regularly performs for audiences of thousands at iconic venues such as the O2 and Hackney Empire. A powerhouse performer, his numerous entertainment TV credits include The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Jonathan Ross Stand Up Club (ITV), Don’t Hate the Playaz (ITV2), Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains (Comedy Central) and As Yet Untitled (DAVE). In 2020, he was featured in Mo Gilligan’s groundbreaking documentary Black, British and Funny (Channel 4), celebrating artists and icons from the Black British circuit.

Babatunde is currently starring in his second season of the BAFTA nominated Celebrity Gogglebox (Channel 4).

About Puffin

Puffin is the biggest children’s publisher globally and inspires children to dream big by being a loud, proud voice for the power of stories and how they can spark imagination.

Since publishing a series of non-fiction in 1940, Puffin has grown to become one of the world’s most iconic children’s entertainment brands. Publishing stories for children from 0-12, Puffin is home to famous authors, illustrators and children’s brands, including Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola, Tom Fletcher, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Snowman and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Many of these stories live beyond the book and have inspired films, music and games.

Puffin is always on the look-out for new talent and is committed to giving children access to stories, through innovative formats and partnerships; ensuring that the magic of imagination passes from one generation to the next.

Dream big, Read Puffin.

Puffin is an imprint of Penguin Random House, the world’s number one publisher representing a vibrant community of publishing houses marked by unparalleled success.