We’re proud to bring you Moon’s second children’s book: I am the Builder. For the uninitiated, Archie’s adventures began with I am the Architect – a way for us to communicate our passion for design to a younger audience. Following such a positive response to the first book and Archie’s unique, megalomaniac charm, we couldn’t wait to get started on the follow-up. And it only seemed right that this time we’d focus on the other string to Moon’s bow: the build. Armed with some outstanding den designs contributed by readers of I am the Architect, we got the band back together: Rosanna’s illustrations, Tom’s words and a team effort to round out the story. Playing with some of the stereotypes that abound in the building trade was great fun, as was creating some good old-fashioned slapstick. But we wanted to include some stimulating stuff too. The art of building sometimes gets an unfair wrap; the skills, craft and creativity involved are perhaps underappreciated. Hopefully as readers enjoy Archie’s new tale, they’ll have a think about the buildings around them and how they were constructed. And, with a little prompting, perhaps they’ll have a go at building their own den like Archie? Just without the God complex. I hope you enjoy it. Nick Ross
Archie had to hand it to himself, it was a brilliant den design. It had everything a sophisticated young genius needs: living space, running water and an amazing aquarium for Bruno. And he’d done it all himself. Well, sort of. Now the hard bit was over, he just needed to build it.
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Armed with a list of materials, Archie headed to the builders merchants. Wood, screws, glass, pipes and, of course, an outfit just right for such a prestige project. That’s when he spotted it. Kelvin McClood – his alltime favourite reality, building-type TV show host – was coming to town. This was his chance. Fame. Fortune. His own TV show.
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As Archie changed into his new builder outfit, he had a sudden unquenchable thirst for sweet tea and a strange need to start calling everyone ‘mate’.
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On a mission to impress Kelvin McClood, Archie set to work building his den. But as he sawed his first piece of wood, he experienced an aching sensation in his arm. He’d never felt anything like it. Archie was angry. No one told him building a den would hurt. This wouldn’t do. He needed someone else to do the hard work… Kelvin was coming to town in two weeks. Then it hit him. Moon! His original mentors could build it.
Without delay, Archie headed straight to the nearest Moon site. There he found George, the Site Manager. He’s the guy who oversees the whole building project. Like Archie but with more facial hair. Archie offered George the chance of a lifetime: to build one of Archie’s original designs and get on TV.
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George introduced Archie to all the different experts who make the project happen. He met‌
Lizzy the electrician. She wires the house up so it has power.
Woody the carpenter. He builds and fits anything to do with wood.
Pete the plumber. He makes sure there’s running water. No one has ever seen his face.
Archie now realised that to build something beautiful you need a whole team.
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To recruit his team of experts, Archie gathered a group of school friends for an emergency project meeting (actually, the invite said ‘birthday party’, but he was sure they wouldn’t mind). He asked them a series of fun technical questions to judge who was right for his team. A bit like Simon Cowell off the telly.
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Following a short executive discussion with Bruno, Archie picked his experts:
Sam ‘The Smasher’ Ellis: Chosen for his ability to build almost anything. And then smash it.
Amy ‘The Faucet’ Foster: A genius with water. Mainly pistols and balloons.
Lydia ‘The Hippie’ Li: She’s been helping her parents use solar and wind power for years – perfect for Archie’s outside den.
Bruno ‘Jaws’ Fish: Chosen for his ability to be the best pet fish of all time.
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Project Day: 1 After a quick but boring Health & Safety briefing from Archie’s mum, the team set to work.
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“Fin e! Fin e! But you could all l ea r n a lot from Bruno - he n ever com plains.”
Project Day: 4 The den’s foundations were all in place. They’d even fitted the joinery and started to lay the timber flooring.
While the team enjoyed a quick break in Archie’s kitchen, a very important phone call came through. Kelvin McClood and his team would be coming to look at Archie’s den next week.
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Archie almost choked on his sausage.
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Project Day: 6 Even with all these annoying interruptions for things like food and using the loo, Archie’s vision was starting to come to life.
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Project Day: 8
Lydia had now wired up the entire den to her micro wind turbines. Luckily, there had been a gale warning that morning, so Archie got to see it at its best.
“What happens
when
there’s no wind?”
“Relax, man – I’ve put solar panels in too.”
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Project Day: 11 With the den just about finished, Amy filled up the executive aquarium she had built for Bruno. It had everything a modern business fish needs, including a fully working massage chair.
Finally, the day had arrived. Archie opened the front door to Kelvin McClood and his team. Kelvin was much smaller than he appears on telly. Even though he’s actually much smaller when he’s on telly. Something to do with scale, Archie thought.
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Archie proudly revealed his amazing den to Kelvin. It was everything he had dreamed of. Perfect in every way. Nothing could go wrong now.
Archie invited Kelvin to take a closer look at the aquarium.
“Just one more s tep ba ck
, Kelvin.”
Kelvin and his cameraman climbed to the top of the aquarium. But the platform had become a bit slippy.
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Kelvin’s visit hadn’t exactly gone to plan. Apparently he was still quite upset about the whole aquarium, turtleneck thing. Archie couldn’t believe he hadn’t won. He hadn’t felt this sad since the archery incident. Then the doorbell rang.
A lot of people had seen Archie’s den on TV and liked his brilliant design. In fact, they liked it so much they wanted one for their own children.
One Year Later It turns out that TV stars falling into water is very good for business. In fact, so many people wanted an Archie den he had to hire more people to help him out. Things had worked out better than he could ever have imagined. He really was a genius.
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Published by Moon 18 Sutherland Place Bristol, BS8 2TZ Words by Tom Brown Production by George Arnold Illustrations by Rosanna Tasker First Edition 2017 Š 2017 Moon Distributed by Moon www.moonarchitectandbuilder.co.uk www.iamarchie.co.uk
You be the Builder Dear Fans, As my business empire gets bigger and bigger, I’m always looking for new people to join my build team. But I need to know you can make a den that meets my high standards. Show me some pictures of a den you’ve built. I want to see the materials you’ve used and how it works. My favourite will win a new iPad mini (it was a present for Bruno, but I forgot he doesn’t have hands). Send your photos to the address on the previous page, or email them to my friends at Moon: archie@moondesignandbuild.co.uk Yours geniusly, Archie P.S. Since the court case, Alan my solicitor tells me that I have to include something called Terms & Conditions. They’re here: www.iamarchie.co.uk