Book launches are special – a magical way to
gain insights into a book through the eyes of another. This week, Patsy Jones
shares her recent Hobart book launch experience for Julie Hunt’s much
anticipated Shine
Mountain – and exposes a little bit of
herself and of the book launcher as well. Is there such an entity as a book
launcher? – it creates visions of a book rocketing off into space or, in this
case into…Gleam Land.
I wonder
how many of you have ever been invited to launch a book? I once had that
opportunity, and was very pleased and flattered to be asked. But as the date of
the launch drew near, I began to feel very anxious and unsure of my ability to
do justice to the book…..So in one way I was not too disappointed to find
myself incapable of carrying out the task after being hit by a horrible stomach
virus on the day itself (fortunately the author was able to find another
speaker at the last minute!)
Recently I
attended the launch of the most recent publication of Tasmanian writer Julie
Hunt - Shine Mountain, at Fullers Bookshop in Hobart. The launch was
hosted by Robin Morrow, Australian President of IBBY (International Board onBooks for Young People). I found what she had to say, and how she
said it, very impressive, and felt quite fortunate that I had never actually had
to expose my own shortcomings in this way!
Robin very
kindly sent me a copy of her speech, and below are some of the aspects of the
book that she mentioned as being of special interest to her.
A map: Because the book is set in an imaginary
world, Julie provided a map at the beginning of the book (a wonderful greyscale imagining of Gleam Land, penned by Geoff
Kelly). I found myself turning to the map many times during my reading of the book,
and when I read other fantasy stories, I like to place the characters in their
landscape as well. But Robin did not mention just Julie’s map – as well, she
referred to some other favourites which also flesh out the story with a map – Winnie-the-Pooh, Lord of the Rings, and Milly
Molly Mandy, for example. I expect
many people in her audience made a mental note to read or re-read these books
on being reminded of them…..
The characters: Robin described these as ‘memorable and
varied’ – Ellie, of course, Luca and Meridian; and Nanny the goat who, despite
being an animal, is so very important to the story.
The button-box: Robin’s audience actually saw a button-box,
part of the support provided by a group of students who demonstrated aspects of
the story for the audience. This button-box appeared to be a well-aged example
of the concertina/accordion variety which we don’t see so much these days.
Perhaps there are many children today to whom it is a totally new instrument!
Placenames, magic,
folklore, and landscape were other elements of the story which Robin mentioned. I
am sure the references to these elements provoked a broader and more
intellectual response in those fortunate children who went home from Fullers
with their own copy of Shine Mountain.
To me, this
was an amazing example of how a book can be launched; thanks so much, Robin; and thanks to Julie, of course, without whom we wouldn’t
have had this opportunity…..
Patsy Jones
Retired librarian and teacher
Retired librarian and teacher
