-
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth
- Narrated by: Peter Capaldi
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
![Prime logo](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/Audible/Homestead/Prime_Logo_RGB.png)
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $10.89
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's summary
The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word.
Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik.
As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It's only Prez who thinks otherwise.
But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life - like a TV remote that fast-forwards people: 'Anyone can do it, it's just that people don't read the instructions properly'; and a toy lightsaber that entertains guests at a children's party, until one of them is nearly decapitated by it - and Prez is going to have to use his voice to explain himself.
It turns out that Sputnik is writing a guidebook to Earth called Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, and he takes Prez on a journey to discover just those 10 things. Each adventure seems to take Prez nearer to the heart of the family he is being fostered by. But they also take him closer to the day that he is due to leave them forever....
Related to this topic
-
Enchanted Glass
- By: Diana Wynne Jones
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The mysterious Stalkers show up at almost the same instant 12-year-old Aiden Cain’s grandmother dies. Following his grandmother’s instructions, Aiden decides to seek out a powerful sorcerer at Melstone House. Yet when he arrives, he discovers the man died a year earlier. Melstone House now belongs to the sorcerer’s adult grandson Andrew, who agrees to help Aiden with the Stalker problem.
-
-
Magic and Ordinary Life
- By Gentle Reader Jill on 01-24-11
-
Numbers
- By: Rachel Ward
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers. Numbers that pop into her head when she looks into someone’s eyes. They’re dates, the numbers. Dates predicting with brute accuracy each person’s death. Burdened by such grim knowledge, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. Maybe they can find happiness together, if only in the brief time that remains before his expiration date.
-
-
Waiting For More!
- By Oregon Coast Gal on 02-26-10
By: Rachel Ward
-
Astrid the Unstoppable
- By: Maria Parr, Guy Puzey - translator
- Narrated by: Devon Sorvari
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Speed and self-confidence, that’s Astrid’s motto. Nicknamed “the little thunderbolt,” she loves to spend her days racing down the hillside on her sled, singing loudly as she goes, and visiting Gunnvald, her grumpy, septuagenarian best friend and godfather, who makes hot chocolate from real chocolate bars. She just wishes there were other children to share her hair-raising adventures with. But Astrid’s world is about to be turned upside down by two startling arrivals to the village of Glimmerdal: first a new family, then a mysterious, towering woman who everyone seems to know.
-
-
Language warning
- By Kendra F. on 02-17-22
By: Maria Parr, and others
-
A Man's Got to Have a Hobby
- Long Summers with my Dad
- By: William McInnes
- Narrated by: William McInnes
- Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William McInnes' best-selling memoir, A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and '70s and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William narrates with humour and affection about his family and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay. William McInnes is a talented writer and a natural storyteller.
-
-
Wonderful story
- By Dodie on 08-05-22
By: William McInnes
-
Just Tricking!
- By: Andy Griffiths
- Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
- Length: 2 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever tried to get out of going to school by pretending that you're dead? Ever managed to convince a friend that they're invisible? Ever been stuck in a gorilla suit and nearly put in a zoo? Andy has. Andy's the greatest practical joker in the world ... well, almost. He would be, if only his practical jokes didn't have the annoying habit of backfiring on him.
-
-
it was really good and I didn't even buy it! 😍😍
- By D on 04-12-24
By: Andy Griffiths
-
Adventures with Waffles
- By: Maria Parr, Guy Puzey - translator, Kate Forrester - illustrator
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hardly a day passes without Trille and Lena inventing some kind of adventure that often ends in trouble. Whether it's coaxing a cow onto a boat or tobogganing down the steepest and iciest hill with a chicken, there is always a thrill - and sometimes an injury - to be had. Trille loves to share everything with Lena, even Auntie Granny's waffles, which make everything just perfect. But when Lena has to move away, and Auntie Granny leaves the world, it sometimes seems nothing will ever be right again.
-
-
very fun!
- By AnotherCustomer on 06-28-20
By: Maria Parr, and others
-
Enchanted Glass
- By: Diana Wynne Jones
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The mysterious Stalkers show up at almost the same instant 12-year-old Aiden Cain’s grandmother dies. Following his grandmother’s instructions, Aiden decides to seek out a powerful sorcerer at Melstone House. Yet when he arrives, he discovers the man died a year earlier. Melstone House now belongs to the sorcerer’s adult grandson Andrew, who agrees to help Aiden with the Stalker problem.
-
-
Magic and Ordinary Life
- By Gentle Reader Jill on 01-24-11
-
Numbers
- By: Rachel Ward
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers. Numbers that pop into her head when she looks into someone’s eyes. They’re dates, the numbers. Dates predicting with brute accuracy each person’s death. Burdened by such grim knowledge, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. Maybe they can find happiness together, if only in the brief time that remains before his expiration date.
-
-
Waiting For More!
- By Oregon Coast Gal on 02-26-10
By: Rachel Ward
-
Astrid the Unstoppable
- By: Maria Parr, Guy Puzey - translator
- Narrated by: Devon Sorvari
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Speed and self-confidence, that’s Astrid’s motto. Nicknamed “the little thunderbolt,” she loves to spend her days racing down the hillside on her sled, singing loudly as she goes, and visiting Gunnvald, her grumpy, septuagenarian best friend and godfather, who makes hot chocolate from real chocolate bars. She just wishes there were other children to share her hair-raising adventures with. But Astrid’s world is about to be turned upside down by two startling arrivals to the village of Glimmerdal: first a new family, then a mysterious, towering woman who everyone seems to know.
-
-
Language warning
- By Kendra F. on 02-17-22
By: Maria Parr, and others
-
A Man's Got to Have a Hobby
- Long Summers with my Dad
- By: William McInnes
- Narrated by: William McInnes
- Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William McInnes' best-selling memoir, A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and '70s and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William narrates with humour and affection about his family and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay. William McInnes is a talented writer and a natural storyteller.
-
-
Wonderful story
- By Dodie on 08-05-22
By: William McInnes
-
Just Tricking!
- By: Andy Griffiths
- Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
- Length: 2 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever tried to get out of going to school by pretending that you're dead? Ever managed to convince a friend that they're invisible? Ever been stuck in a gorilla suit and nearly put in a zoo? Andy has. Andy's the greatest practical joker in the world ... well, almost. He would be, if only his practical jokes didn't have the annoying habit of backfiring on him.
-
-
it was really good and I didn't even buy it! 😍😍
- By D on 04-12-24
By: Andy Griffiths
-
Adventures with Waffles
- By: Maria Parr, Guy Puzey - translator, Kate Forrester - illustrator
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hardly a day passes without Trille and Lena inventing some kind of adventure that often ends in trouble. Whether it's coaxing a cow onto a boat or tobogganing down the steepest and iciest hill with a chicken, there is always a thrill - and sometimes an injury - to be had. Trille loves to share everything with Lena, even Auntie Granny's waffles, which make everything just perfect. But when Lena has to move away, and Auntie Granny leaves the world, it sometimes seems nothing will ever be right again.
-
-
very fun!
- By AnotherCustomer on 06-28-20
By: Maria Parr, and others
-
Pennies for Hitler
- By: Jackie French
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's 1939, and for Georg, son of an English academic living in Germany, life is full of cream cakes and loving parents. It is also a time when his teacher measures the pupils' heads to see which of them have the most 'Aryan'- shaped heads. But when a university graduation ceremony turns into a pro-Nazi demonstration, Georg is smuggled out of Germany to war-torn London and then across enemy seas to Australia where he must forget his past and who he is in order to survive. Hatred is contagious, but Georg finds that kindness can be, too.
-
-
This could be a Bryce Courtenay novel
- By K Cornwinkle on 07-02-14
By: Jackie French
-
The Kneebone Boy
- By: Ellen Potter
- Narrated by: Alex Barrett
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Life in a small town can be pretty boring when everyone avoids you like the plague. But after their father unwittingly sends them to stay with an aunt who’s away on holiday, the Hardscrabble children take off on an adventure that begins in the seedy streets of London and ends in a peculiar sea village where legend has it a monstrous creature lives who is half boy and half animal.
In this wickedly dark, unusual, and compelling novel, Ellen Potter masterfully tells the tale of one deliciously strange family and a secret that changes everything.
-
-
Couldn't Stop Listening
- By nicole on 12-11-15
By: Ellen Potter
-
Nanny McPhee and The Big Bang
- By: Emma Thompson
- Narrated by: Emma Thompson
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album For Children. Who better to read the novel of the new Nanny McPhee film than Nanny McPhee herself, Emma Thompson, who also wrote both the screenplay and the novel. This delightful audio edition captures the magic and the mayhem of Nanny McPhee’s brand new adventure – it will have you laughing out loud!
-
-
Story+Film Diary+Emma Thompson=Joy
- By Pam M on 08-02-17
By: Emma Thompson
-
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance
- A Novel
- By: Ruth Emmie Lang
- Narrated by: Piper Goodeve, Peter Berkrot, Cassandra Campbell, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stopping a tornado was the first of many strange events that seem to follow Weylyn from town to town, although he doesn't like to take credit. As amazing as these powers may appear, they tend to manifest themselves at inopportune times and places. From freak storms to trees that appear to grow over night, Weylyn's unique abilities are a curiosity at best and at worst, a danger to himself and the woman he loves. But Mary doesn't care.
-
-
An Accidental Wonder!
- By Brandy Pendergrass on 02-16-18
By: Ruth Emmie Lang
-
American Gods [TV Tie-In]
- By: Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: George Guidall
- Length: 20 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life. But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow's best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday.
-
-
Read other Neil Gaiman first
- By Robert on 04-16-11
By: Neil Gaiman
-
90 Miles to Havana
- By: Enrique Flores-Galbis
- Narrated by: Enrique Flores-Galbis
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winner of a Pura Belpré Award, this middle grade Cuban American coming-of-age novel is inspired by the author's own experience. When Julian's parents make the heartbreaking decision to send him and his two brothers away from Cuba to Miami via the Pedro Pan operation, the boys are thrust into a new world where bullies run rampant and it’s not always clear how best to protect themselves.
-
-
What a great adventure!
- By Abhijatri on 01-20-21
-
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
- By: Mark Haddon
- Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone has Asperger's Syndrome, a condition similar to autism. He doesn't like to be touched or meet new people, he cannot make small talk, and he hates the colors brown and yellow. He is a math whiz with a very logical brain who loves solving puzzles that have definite answers.
-
-
A Different View of the World
- By Alan on 05-19-04
By: Mark Haddon
-
The Bone Clocks
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: Jessica Ball, Leon Williams, Colin Mace, and others
- Length: 24 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following a scalding row with her mother, 15-year-old Holly Sykes slams the door on her old life. But Holly is no typical teenage runaway: A sensitive child once contacted by voices she knew only as "the radio people," Holly is a lightning rod for psychic phenomena. Now, as she wanders deeper into the English countryside, visions and coincidences reorder her reality until they assume the aura of a nightmare brought to life.
-
-
Not Short Listed, This Time
- By Mel on 09-23-14
By: David Mitchell
-
The Reluctant Adventures of Fletcher Connolly on the Interstellar Railroad
- By: Felix R. Savage
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fletcher Connolly hasn't got a lot to lose. Since he and half the galaxy signed on to the rat race of the technological relics trade, Fletch has come to terms with the idea that he will join the ranks of unlucky explorers that perish light years from home without a dime to his name. But bankruptcy is a great motivator. With friends and family counting on him to strike it rich, Fletch embarks on an unwilling quest for alien treasure.
-
-
I wanted to love this book, but I did like it
- By wag more on 07-26-18
By: Felix R. Savage
-
Floors
- By: Patrick Carman
- Narrated by: Jesse Bernstein
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Whippet Hotel is a strange place full of strange and mysterious people. Each floor has its own quirks and secrets. Leo should know most of them - he is the maintenance man's son, after all. But a whole lot more mystery gets thrown his way when a series of cryptic boxes are left for him... boxes that lead him to hidden floors, strange puzzles, and unexpected alliances. Leo had better be quick on his feet, because the fate of the building he loves is at stake... and so is Leo's own future!
-
-
Great listen
- By Jessica on 08-11-20
By: Patrick Carman
-
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
- By: Wendelin Van Draanen
- Narrated by: Tara Sands
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While looking out the window with her grandma's binoculars, Sammy witnesses a crime across the street at the Heavenly Hotel. What's worse, the thief saw her spying! As Sammy attempts to find the burglar who has made several other hits in the neighborhood, she finds herself trying to keep him from uncovering her - or worse, the police discovering that she's living illegally with her grandmother in the seniors-only housing!
-
-
Fun read for young kids!
- By Sara Sweetman on 06-24-16
-
Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure
- By: Georgia Byng
- Narrated by: Clare Higgins
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Molly Moon returns...and bumps into earlier versions of herself, four of them, to be exact, all kidnapped and transported back in time to nineteenth-century India by Molly's most fearsome nemesis yet, an insane maharaja. Molly foiled his plans once already, by stopping Primo Cell from becoming president of the United States. This time around, the maharaja is determined to alter the course of history. The only thing standing in his way is Molly and her brave pug, Petula.
-
-
Boring
- By Burt on 12-30-13
By: Georgia Byng
What listeners say about Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- chaoticmuse
- 08-07-18
Chaotic Story with Sympathetic Characters
Frank Cottrell Boyce's "Cosmic" was a favorite so I was excited to see another of his books hit our state award nominee list. There is a lot... seriously A LOT of activity in this story. And Peter Capaldi kept the intensity high with his narration style (great accent not too hard for kids to understand). But I have to admit that around hour 3 I was tired of the mayhem and ready for it to end happily if possible. I was afraid at first that it was going to have a "too easy" ending with everyone living happily ever after but I shouldn't have been so worried. It was a realistic ending (as realistic as a shape shifting alien story line can be) but satisfying. And then I went and took a nap to recover. If you've never read Cottrell Boyce before start with "Cosmic" and maybe rest up before jumping in to Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Iguanadon
- 09-12-17
Rollicking ride with a surprisingly touching heart
I have to confess, when I originally chose this recording it was because it was read by Peter Capaldi, not for the story or author, and I was not disappointed...his animated reading was as delightful as ever, and the extra Scottish twinkle he brought to the story was no doubt the reason he was chosen for this book. What I did not expect , however, was what I thought was a kids book essentially when I started this was in fact, a phenomenally creative and surprisingly touching story to be enjoyed by grandkid and grandparent alike. Now I'm after more by this author and please please Mr Capaldi, I beg of you to please give us the pleasur of your voice and talent to more audio books!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Impressed
- 09-22-19
Ok but not Boyce's best on audio
the Narrator has a good range of voices, but he didn't seem the best fit for this story.
if you like Boyce try Framed or Cosmic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amanda Zimmerman
- 12-18-17
The story is good and the narrator is also good
The book is good and the narrator is really good as well I give it 9/10👍
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- k
- 09-24-18
A Fantastic Adventure Narrated with Panache!
I found myself laughing out loud at times, and actually shedding tears at other times because of this heartwarming story that was read with such amazing panache by the wonderful Peter Capaldi. He's made it even more entertaining, and his Scottish accent adds authenticity and flavor to the narration. It's a pleasure listening to him use different voices and bring life to the book's sympathetic characters.
The story is heartwarming but never sappy, cheeky but never rude. Your heart will go out to Prez, and sometimes, you can even imagine the irrepressible Sputnik as a Doctor Who-like character who wreaks mayhem wherever he goes but still manages to save the day.
The book was written for kids and tweens but it strikes a chord even with adults.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michelle C. Flowers
- 04-12-20
Hands down the best book I've listened to
This was an amazing story: fun, heartwarming, interesting characters. It was so enjoyable I'm going to hunt down the other books by this author. The narration was absolutely brilliant! I usually don't care for audio books over printed options but Mr. Capaldi does such a wonderful job I can't imagine not listening to it. I loved the voices and felt like he was telling *me* a story rather than reading one that I could listen in on. I will be listening to this over and over again. 11/10 Cannot recommend highly enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JJO
- 06-30-22
Laughed so much I woke up my husband!
Peter Capaldi narrates. Enough said. Automatic 5 stars for narration. But Peter narrates this one with the most wonderful Scottish accent ~ purely lovely and it adds more to the humor of the words, especially for Sputnik. But don’t try listening to this in bed with earbuds unless you’re sleeping alone. Full disclosure... I decided to submit a review before I even finished chapter one because the story is so funny I couldn’t contain my laughter. Ended up waking my husband because the laughs were escaping as snorts. The hazards of listening to a brilliantly written hilarious story after everyone else has gone to bed. Many thanks to the author and narrator for a fantastic Audible experience!!
P. S. Heaven help me! Chapter 3 is so funny I had to come to the living room to be able to laugh out loud. My eardrums were about to explode from trying to keep my laughs inside to not waken him again. What a fabulously entertaining book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!