Michelle Magorian booksigning

The moody, cavernous setting  twenty metres below the hustle and bustle of the West End was the perfect choice for the launch of Just Henry. 

Set in post-war Britain, the book is a both a captivating portrait of the period and a thrilling mystery with some unexpected twists. Henry misses his father who died a war hero and resents his stepfather and baby sister. His passion is the cinema.One day in the cinema queue he meets Mrs Beaumont who also loves films, and lends Henry a camera for a school project. Henry is disgusted that he's been put in a group with Jeffries, the son of a deserter, and the illigitmate Pip. Henry has some important lessons to learn about prejudice, friendship and family. 

Michelle, a trained actress, delighted guests with her readings from the book. For those who had not already read it, there could be no better way to whet the appetite.

If you were at the event, have read the book, or are a fan of Magorian's earlier novels, share your views by posting a comment.

Adele Geras in The Guardian

Amanda Craig in The Times

John Huddy and Oliver Jeffers

The Illustration Cupboard provided a perfect venue for the paperback launch of The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. For admirers of Jeffers’ work, it was a great opportunity to view some of the original art with which we’ve become so familiar since his first book, How to Catch a Star.

 An initial response to Jeffers’ work would very likely be that his evocative illustrations were composited digitally. This is especially the case with The Incredible Book Eating Boy. Instead, collaged backgrounds and paper ephemera are glued down, painted on and drawn over to create original, intricate images devoid of digital manipulation. These qualities have, unsurprisingly, led to Jeffers being named one of the UK’s Best New Illustrators, and his selection as a finalist in this year’s prestigious BP Portrait Awards.