When Tad Kicked Vlad

By Author / Illustrator

Julian Gough, illus Ross Collins

Genre

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Age range(s)

Publisher

Faber & Faber

ISBN

9780571380244

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

12-02-2026

Synopsis

Award-winning duo Julian Gough and Ross Collins create pure picture-book perfection in this hilarious, whip-smart story about a circle of violence and how it finally gets broken.

In a moment of fury, induced by a piece of stolen cake, Tad kicks his best friend Vlad and runs away to hide. Unable to retaliate, but similarly feeling rather cross, Vlad kicks Tad's mum who kicks the postman, who kicks a policewoman who kicks a politician . . . Until the kick travels around the whole world! Only to land back up at Tad's birthday party a year on . . .

And then there's something WORSE than a kick in circulation. Oh, WHAT could be worse than a kick up the bum? It's up to Tad to wrestle with his anger and to break the cycle and send something better off round the world.

Laugh-out-loud funny, with so many moments of shock and glee, this is the perfect teaching tool for any child who has ever had an outburst! For fans of I Want My Hat Back, I Really Want to Eat a Child and Not Now Bernard.

'A tremendous, mighty ripper of a book. Contains kicks, laughs, hugs and a meteoric fart. Children will love it!' Jim Field, illustrator of Oi Frog and The Lion Inside. 'Has genuine warmth and depth, wonderfully supported by hilarious illustrations. Children will adore it . . . and adults can be reassured by the brilliantly positive conclusion. A classic in the making.' Vivian French, author of Yucky Worms

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Reviews

Elen

When Tad Kicked Vlad takes a humorous look at the cycle of violence begun by one boy's frustrated kick during his birthday party, showing us how the kick - which develops a life of its own - travels around the world and returns to where it started a year later, at the boy's next birthday part. What, we wonder, will happen now?

The retro feel of the book's design, which is brilliantly illustrated by Ross Collins, suits the tone of the story perfectly. The simple but engaging text is matched with detailed illustrations which will have children giggling in no time as they follow the progress of 'kick'.

This clever book gently and humorously reminds children how any form of violence can take on a life of its own. The humour in the story means the message isn't 'preachy' and avoids it being directed at any child in particular.

Children might be shocked to see a child delivering a kick in a children's picture book, but this will engage their interest and will easily provoke discussions around how our anger might affect those around us, and about taking responsibility for our actions.

The story ends with Tad understanding this, and finding a way to hold back his anger and replace his initial reaction with a hug, not a kick. A perfect end to the story.

Picture book / Reviewed by Elen Green