Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders lands new gig with a big mission
- Clean Planet Group
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
This article was originally written and published in The Sun newspaper - original link
COMEDY legend Jennifer Saunders has narrated a new audiobook helping kids reduce their plastic use.
On her podcast with Dawn French, the iconic comedian mentioned her goal for this year was to do more for the planet.
And when first-time Brit writer Bertie Stephens heard this, he wrote to her enquiring whether she would narrate the audiobook version of Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, which is inspiring young people on both sides of the Atlantic after its release in June.
The print version of the book, which focuses on readers aged between 9-14 has already shot to the top of Amazon‘s bestseller lists, with the audiobook released on October 14th.
The story blends science and fantasy and has been hailed as key in getting kids interested in science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as the environment.
Saunders, who has narrated the audiobook said:
“I loved Ellie from page one. It’s funny and a bit mischievous, but it sneaks big ideas in too – how science works, what we owe the planet, and why asking questions matter. If a good yarn can make kids curious enough to try an experiment or think twice about their plastic usage, that’s a win.”
Her involvement was secured after the book’s author reached out after hearing her discuss her love of the planet, on the latest series of her ‘Titting About’ podcast with Dawn French.
At the time, Saunders said:
“[This year] I’m going to do more for the planet. That’s my plan. I am trying to get rid of plastic in my life.
On the podcast Saunders explained what she’d done in her own life to reduce her plastic usage, saying:
“I don’t have toothpaste anymore, I have little toothpaste pills. I just use soap. I don’t use any big shower gel plasticky things, and I don’t use plastic in my washing up liquids. I don’t use it in anything. So I’m just getting rid of plastic from our lives.”
The audiobook was released with a video trailer, where The Clean Planet Orchestra accompanied Jennifer’s reading with an original track for the book composed by musician Joe Hogan.
Since its summer release, Ellie Ment and the Material Matter has been adopted by clubs and schools in the UK and USA as well as being the start-of-year reading for more than 1,000 pupils across seven states in the USA.With teachers reporting that pupils race ahead because they ‘want to talk about the real science behind it.’
The book has also climbed to number one on Amazon’s charts in both the UK and the US, with a 4.7-star rating on Goodreads and a coveted “Get It” recommendation from Kirkus Reviews.
Much of the book’s momentum has also been amplified by social media, where clips and recommendations have been shared on accounts with millions of combined followers.
Viral school influencer Holly Hos (@thehos), whose TikTok account has 1.5 million followers, posted about the book and received over 10,000 likes and comments across her social feeds.
A spokesperson from the publisher, the Clean Planet Foundation, said the not-for-profit organisation turned to storytelling as another way to inspire children about the environment and science. They said:
“This STEM book gives more young people the chance to see that science can be every bit as magical as fantasy, and important for helping the environment around them. Adding Jennifer’s incredible voice to the audiobook will help thousands more children discover Ellie’s story and the magic that already exists in the world around them.”
Every book and audiobook sold, available on all major platforms and in-store, directly funds work in schools and communities which the Clean Planet Foundation undertakes in the UK, and the second book in the series has been announced for release in January 2026.
Learn more at EllieMent.com