A tale that will be easily read by 8 - 10 year olds about a boy who has been apparently orphaned and is central to an insurance scam. Sam's parents have won a once in a lifetime trip to the moon and they cannot take their son. The so called kindly neighbour, Hilda Hardbottom, steps in to mind Sam ( much to his dislike) while his parents are away. Unfortunately the spaceship has been lost and believed to be lost in space so Sam is presumed an orphan. Hilda Hardbottom decides to reap the insurance money by saying that Sam wants to live with her. One night Sam discovers a tiny spaceship in the back garden. Out of it steps Splodge and the adventure begin. A typical introduction, plot or conflict and then resolution story. Great little chapter book for early readers. ( )