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A PERFECT LIFT OFF
Written by Nikki Gamble   
Friday, 16 May 2008

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David Fickling and Philip Pullman
It may have been a damp, grey evening but there was plenty of sunshine emanating from the NFT cafe  at the BFI  on Thursday evening. Foot tapping African drum rhythms, bubble machines, cheery faces and  mysterious yellow and red striped bags drew the crowds to the launch of a brand new comic the DFC.

This new weekly comic for boys and girls - the first of its kind for over 25 years - is an excting enterprise and one that is dear to the heart of publisher David Fickling, who conceived the project. Addressing the packed NFT cafe, he talked about the power of storytelling across different genres and  comics as formative childhood reading. He then paid tribute to his hardworking team and the generosity of writers, illustrators and supporters involved in DFCs creation.

After speeches Philip Pullman and David Fickling released  over the Thames 100 balloons carrying tags entitling any child who finds them to a DFC subscription.

'But what does DFC stand for?' I hear you say. Guests had to customise badges with their own suggestions: 'Ducks Fly Cautiously' , Desperate for Chocolate', 'Dogs Fear Cats' . Think you can do  better? Add your suggestions using comments.

Visit the DFC website www.thedfc.co.uk for subscription details. The first issue will  land through letterboxes on Friday 30th May. I am eagerly awaiting mine. I'm sure the DFC will soon become synonymous with 'that Friday feeling'.

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MICHELLE MAGORIAN
Written by Nikki Gamble   
Saturday, 17 May 2008

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Michelle Magorian booksigning
Michelle Magorian has spent the last ten years home educating her sons and writing for the theatre but fans of Goodnight Mister Tom will be delighted that she has returned to fiction. On Tuesday 13th May, Michelle's eagerly anticipated Just Henry was launched at the Rex Cinema in Piccadilly.

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

 
OLIVER JEFFERS: AWAY FROM HOME
Written by Nikki Gamble   
Thursday, 15 May 2008

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John Huddy and Oliver Jeffers
The launch of the paperback edition of Oliver Jeffers' The Way Back Home was celebrated recently at The Illustration Cupboard. Kim Toohey attended for Write Away and sent us this report.

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.

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