Sin Bin Island

Doug Naylor's first children's novel launches on September 11th.

2 September, 2025

Doug Naylor has written his first children's novel. It's called Sin Bin Island with illustrations by Nik Afia and it's published on September 11th, by David Fickling Books and is available now for pre-order.

Sin Bin Island

Useful links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/DougNaylorRD

Reviews

'Totally brilliant. Exciting. Heart-stopping. Hilarious. And touching, too.'

Craig Charles.

'Insanely funny and inventive - get yourself a ringside seat for this cartwheeling, high-wire, fire-breathing circus of a book.'

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, UK Children's Laureate.

'Doug Naylor has always been a master storyteller and this might just be his most intriguing adventure yet . . .'

Jamie Smart, creator of Bunny vs Monkey.

'I was laughing out loud from the very first pages. I simply loved it! The Russian Dolls – inspired! The friendships, the challenges, loved all of it.

So please Doug and publishers I am now eagerly awaiting book 2 because this is the start of what I hope will be a superb series!'

Fiona Sharp, Independent Book Reviews.

‘Wonderfully funny with a really strong core group of characters. If you like smart, very funny MG adventures with a twist of mystery and magic, Sin Bin Island is the book for you.'

PG Bell, author of 'The Train to Impossible Places.'

'The closest thing I've ever read to the Goonies in book form. 10 and 50 year old me are turning cartwheels of sheer delight. Anarchic, funny, brilliant.'

Phil Earle, author of 'When the Sky Falls.

'This is an exceptional adventure story, one I think many children will enjoy. From the humour, adventure friendship and secrets - it's a treasure chest of a story.'

Erin Lynn Hamilton, 'My Shelves are Full.'

'It's very, very, very funny with one of the best storytelling devices I've ever come across where the boy is given a series of letters, which tell him exactly what's going to happen to him.'

Frank Cottrell-Boyce on 5Live@TVNaga01

Synopsis

DETENTION JUST GOT DANGEROUS!

When Jack Digby is sent to Cyril Sniggs's Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls, he doesn't expect lessons in how to fire cannons and fend off pirate attacks. But perhaps he should, as the school, some say, was founded by a pirate.

Even stranger, at the end of each year, the four worst-behaved pupils are banished to the terrifying Sin Bin Island, where they must survive for a week. Legend has it, the island was once used to smuggle magic onto the mainland, but in over 300 years the magic has never returned.

Until now...

Sin Bin Island Map

Reddit AMA

Doug Naylor will be doing a Reddit AMA on Saturday, September 6th from 2pm to 4pm. He'll be chatting about Red Dwarf, Sin Bin Island, his new children's book - and anything else you want to talk about.

Reddit AMA

Launch Party

The Sin Bin Island Launch party is at Waterstone's Picadilly on September 16th at 6.30pm, where Doug will read from the book, sign copies and talk to New York Times best-selling author SF Said about Sin Bin Island - and you're all invited. Get your tickets now (and be there with a host of celebrities, including some Red Dwarf cast members) and be there with a host of celebrities including some Red Dwarf cast members before they all go!

Sin Bin Island Launch Party