Author · Storyteller · Scientist
G R DixAuthor and Creator of Brian Brackbrick and George Bum
Author of the Brian Brackbrick children's books — Two series of illustrated, wildly funny, mystery-stuffed chapter books for readers aged 8 and up.
Series 1: Who is Mr Sparker?
Series 2: The Trouble With Time!
Series One · Six books
Who is
Mr Sparker?
Six exciting illustrated adventures. One missing person, many strange plants and animals, and a secret villain to be unmasked! Read them in order to follow the clues — can you work out Who is Mr Sparker?
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Hazard of Harry Hatman
Book 1 · Who is Mr Sparker?
Brian Brackbrick is ten years old, and the one-hundred and thirty-eighth cleverest person in the whole world. Oh, and he might be a little bit obsessed with hats. But - is Brian Brackbrick clever enough to work out why Old Mr. Hatston has suddenly gone missing, and Harry Hatman has appeared in his place overnight? What does Harry Hatman want with Brian Brackbrick? Where is Old Mr. Hatston? Who is the mysterious Mr. Sparker? Does Charlie Chipchase really wear his grandad's old pants? Join Brian Brackbrick and his best friend George Bum, as they search for the answers amongst the quirky characters and strange goings-on in their town!
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Mystery of Mrs Blumenhole
Book 2 · Who is Mr Sparker?
With the help of his best friend, George Bum, Brian Brackbrick has saved the town from the hat-based schemes of Harry Hatman. But Old Mr. Hatston is still missing, and the hat shop remains closed and boarded up. Meanwhile, Mrs. Blumenhole has restocked her flower shop with some very unusual plants, and does not seem like her usual self... What does Mrs. Blumenhole know about Old Mr. Hatston's disappearance? Is she working for the mysterious Mr. Sparker?
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Scowl of the Scorpion
Book 3 · Who is Mr Sparker?
CARL SCORPION IS COMING! Who is the terrible Mr. Carl Scorpion, and why is Frankie Featherface so afraid of him? What are Carl Scorpion's plans for the pet shop? Why does he smell of old cheesy socks? Does he really hate puppies? (...and where does he get those t-shirts?) Join Brian Brackbrick and his best friend George Bum, as they search for the answers and contend with scorpions, cupcakes, smelly plants and an eight-legged stowaway! Will they get any closer to finding out the true identity of the mysterious villain Mr. Sparker?
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Melody of Morris Hawkwind
Book 4 · Who is Mr Sparker?
MORRIS HAWKWIND NEEDS A FAVOUR… ...but why does he need Brian Brackbrick and George Bum's help?...and what is "HAWKWIND RADIO"? Does Morris Hawkwind really have good intentions? Does it matter if everyone is listening to the same thing, at the same time? Could "Hawkwind Radio" go wrong? Is this just the latest plan from the mysterious 'Mr. Sparker'? Join Brian Brackbrick and his best friend George Bum, as they search for the answers!
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Revelation of Raymond Rings
Book 5 · Who is Mr Sparker?
What does Raymond Rings know about a mysterious gold ring...? Why is everyone suddenly wearing matching jewellery...? Brian and George must investigate the gold ring they found in the music shop, and prove that their friend Morris Hawkwind is innocent! Meanwhile, Raymond Rings really, really wants everyone in the town to wear his matching jewellery... Prepare for shocks as Brian and George try to finally unmask the villainous 'Mr Sparker'!
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Menace of Mr Sparker
Book 6 · Who is Mr Sparker?
The adventures of Brian Brackbrick and George Bum conclude! The true mastermind behind all the villainous schemes was the secretive 'Mr Sparker', who has finally revealed himself! After the shocking reveal of Mr Sparker's true identity, Brian and George were forced to run for it, after Mr Sparker turned the whole town against them! With the whole town under Mr Sparker's control, how will Brian and George escape? Where will they go? Who will help them? Join Brian Brackbrick and his best friend, George Bum, one more time - as they finally face the Menace of Mr Sparker!
A brand new series
The Trouble
with Time
Brian Brackbrick and George Bum are back!
Having bravely stopped Mr Sparker and his minions, Brian Brackbrick and George Bum must now contend with the cheat Sidney Sidestrand!
When they challenge Sidney Sidestrand, Brian and George are unexpectedly thrown through time, and are stuck bouncing around different time periods until they can work out how to get back home.
Follow the story in this second series of chapter books starring Brian Brackbrick - collected in 3 volumes.
The Trouble with Time — Series Two · Volume 1
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Trouble with Time
Series Two · Volume 1
Volume 1 contains: Part 1: Brian Brackbrick and the Riddle of Robin Hood Brian and George are sent back to medieval times, and need the help of the Merry Men (and Woman) to confront the mysterious new Sheriff of Nottingham! Part 2: Brian Brackbrick and the Perils of Pony Poo Stuck in the American Wild West, Brian and George must help a Pony Express rider called Ryder to deliver a mysterious package, while being pursued by the terrible outlaws, the Jackson Gang!
Brian Brackbrick and…
The Trouble with Time
Series Two · Volume 2
Volume 2 contains: Part 3: Brian Brackbrick and the Battle of the Blackbeards Pirates! Blackbeard! Fake beards! Treasure! Singing! Danger! After a pirate crew mistakes Brian Brackbrick for Captain Blackbeard, Brian and George must sail to a very dangerous island, find the treasure, and fight the real Blackbeard! Part 4: Brian Brackbrick and the Puzzle of the Pyramid Friends divided! Stuck in pre-pyramid Ancient Egypt, Brian is being used by Imhotep to solve all his problems, while George is hard at work with an Egyptian building crew. The two friends must reunite to challenge Pharaoh Djoser himself and his mysterious aide Biriq, who looks familiar…
Coming soon · Cover reveal
Volume 3 is
on the way…
The final volume of The Trouble with Time is in the works. Brian and George still have one last time period to survive — and one last chance to get home.
The cover reveal for Volume 3 will be shared here very soon.
- The final time-twisting adventure
- Will Brian and George make it home?
- Illustrated by Bex Sutton
- Written by G R Dix
Full cover reveal coming soon.
About the author
Hello, I'm G R Dix.
G R Dix is a scientist, consultant and writer of fun chapter books for your awesome young readers!
He is a late starter to the world of children's literature, but has been a fan of books, comics and reading his whole life. The major influences on his writing are (in no particular order): Roald Dahl, Simon Furman, Stephen King and Terry Pratchett.
G R Dix is the creator and author of the Brian Brackbrick illustrated chapter books.
Series 1 — a set of six standalone books with an overarching larger story — follows Brian and his best friend George Bum as they investigate the mysterious Mr Sparker.
Series 2 — six stories collected in 3 volumes. Brian and George are sent bouncing around time! Can they retrieve the mysterious timestick and get back home? Volumes 1 and 2 are available now — Volume 3 coming very soon!
Illustrations by Taylor Brooker & Bex Sutton.
Workshops · Assemblies · Storytelling
School Visits &
Guest Events
G R Dix loves bringing stories to life in classrooms, libraries and assembly halls. His sessions are designed to be lively, interactive and age-appropriate for Key Stage 2 readers — especially those aged 8 to 12.
A typical visit can include a reading from one of the Brian Brackbrick books, a behind-the-scenes look at how a story is built, and plenty of time for pupils to ask questions about characters, plotting and the mysterious Mr Sparker.
Sessions can be shaped around your timetable — from a single class workshop to a full-school assembly, a World Book Day visit, or a literacy-week takeover.
What to expect
- Engaging, interactive author talks
- Creative writing and story-building tips
- Q&A on books, characters and publishing
- Optional signed-book availability
- Sessions tailored to your school timetable
Great for
- World Book Day events
- Literacy weeks
- Key Stage 2 assemblies
- Classroom workshops
- Library storytelling sessions
Whether you are planning a World Book Day event, a literacy week, or a one-off author visit, get in touch using the form below to check availability and discuss what would work best for your school.
Get in touch
Say Hello
For school bookings, press enquiries, or just to share your favourite Brian Brackbrick moment, send a message and G R Dix will get back to you.