You might know Alex Horne as the creator of Taskmaster, the offbeat comedy game show that’s taken over TVs and classrooms alike. But his latest venture is less about ridiculous challenges—and more about inspiring imagination. In this week’s episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, Alex opens up about writing his debut children’s book, and how it was shaped (and occasionally shredded) by his three teenage sons.
“My kids read the first draft and said it was boring. And they were right.”
Originally imagined as a whimsical story about talking stones, Alex’s idea was born on a beach walk with his wife years ago. But thanks to some frank, unfiltered feedback from his children—and his publisher—the story evolved into something more grounded: a tale about a boy, a mysterious stone, and a summer of offline adventure.
“It’s about a boy who isn’t obsessed with football or phones. He’s a bit of an outsider. I wanted it to reflect kids who don’t always fit the mould.”
For Alex, the book is more than just a project—it’s personal. He describes it as the most heartfelt thing he’s written, far more vulnerable than his usual comedy work. And, as any dad of boys will know, writing something that captures the attention of a reluctant reader is no small feat.
“I didn’t read much as a kid, and one of my sons is the same. At first, I tried to push reading—then he called me out: ‘But you don’t read, Dad.’”
That moment shifted Alex’s approach. Rather than forcing reading, he focused on accessibility: comics, football magazines, anything that could spark interest. His advice? Leave books lying around, rather than insisting on them. Create curiosity, not pressure.
“My eldest didn’t read for three years. Then suddenly he got into books about the First World War. Sometimes it just clicks—and it has to come from them.”
Alex hopes his book, aimed at readers aged 9–12, becomes that “just clicks” book for someone. The kind of story kids read under the duvet, long after lights-out. The kind that’s left on the nightstand, pages folded back, slightly dog-eared from being loved.
🎧 To hear more about Alex’s writing journey, parenting reluctant readers, and balancing creativity with fatherhood, listen to the full episode of The Dadsnet Podcast—available now.
