Exmouth author returns with new children's book full of chaotic fun to get kids reading!
Exmouth author Chris McGuire has released the second book in his children’s series Crooks and Nannies Too, continuing a fast growing world of mischievous characters, secret organisations and plenty of humour aimed at younger readers.
Chris, who lives in Exmouth, is a former children’s television producer and now writes full time. His latest book follows on from Crooks and Nannies: A N.A.U.G.H.T.Y.
Beginning, which introduced readers to a secret organisation of highly unusual nannies tasked with taking on the world’s worst villains.
The new book continues the story, with more chaos, new characters and the return of the N.A.U.G.H.T.Y. agency, short for Nannies Against Underworld Gangsters, Hoodlums, Tyrants & Yobs.
“It’s basically just me turning everything up a notch,” Chris says. “The first book set the world up, but this one lets me really run with it. It’s bigger, sillier and probably even more ridiculous.”
Chris says the series is inspired by his own life as a dad, as well as years working in children’s television.
“I spend a lot of time trying to entertain my kids at home anyway,” he continues. “Writing just feels like an extension of that. If I can make my own children laugh, I figure other families might enjoy it too.”
Chris is also aware of the wider conversation around children’s reading habits, with recent reports suggesting that while there have been small signs of improvement in 2026, reading for pleasure among young people remains significantly lower than in previous years.
“That’s something I think about a lot,” he says. “Kids have so many distractions now, so if a book can genuinely make them laugh and pull them in, then that’s a win. I’m not trying to compete with screens. I just want to make reading feel fun.”
Keren Williams, Head of Marketing at Candy Jar Books, says the new title continues the publisher’s focus on energetic, accessible children’s fiction.
“The great thing about Crooks and Nannies Too is that it absolutely works as a standalone story, so new readers can jump straight in without having read the first book,” she says. “At Candy Jar we’re actively trying to produce books that are fun, a bit silly, and most importantly get children reading and enjoying stories again.”
Before becoming an author, Chris worked as a television producer for Disney, Nickelodeon and CBBC, developing programmes including Me:TV and Pet School.
He is also the author of official books based classic Canadian animation TV series The Raccoons.
Published by Candy Jar Books, Crooks and Nannies Too is aimed at readers aged around 6 to 9 and continues McGuire’s aim of encouraging children to enjoy reading through humour and fast paced storytelling.
All of Chris’ books are available at good bookshops across the UK, thanks to the Books Council of Wales.
