What is Ballistic Kids?
A trail-blazing, AWARD-WINNING illustrated children’s book
Ballistic Kids is a story for children (aged 5+) about friendship, believing in yourself and the magical experience of making music together.
The book was awarded the GOLD MEDAL in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2020 - judged by children from schools across the UK on writing style, cover and illustrations, editing and theme.
A rhyming, Rock ‘n’ Roll story
Scott and Matt dream about being rock-stars,
on stage playing drums and electric guitars.
They start up a band and they give it a go,
practising hard for the school talent show.
“Please make it stop!” the neighbours all shriek,
but the band keep on making noise, week after week.
Could they be the best talent that Hilltop has seen...
and become an UNSTOPPABLE punk-rock machine?
Ballistic Kids was written and published by musician and dad of two, Thom Craigen, to show young readers how friendships can form by playing music together and if you stick at it… that anyone can rock ‘n’ roll!
Thom’s rhyming verse is brought to life by the vibrant illustrations of Matt Riste, with a raucous soundtrack of songs to accompany the story, provided by Scott Lee Andrews.
The story and characters are inspired by the personal experiences of the books’ collaborators and highlight how music can build confidence, perseverance and self esteem in young people.
A young, determined Rock ‘n’ Roll band
“We are Ballistic Kids” is the soundtrack to the story.
The mini-album includes six tracks of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem by the band in the book. Each song fits with a different part of the story and young readers can sing along with the lyrics printed in the book, or downloadable from this website.
Grab your tennis racket guitar and hairbrush microphone and get ready to rock out with the band!