A Banquet of Reading
28th April 2001
As these pictures illustrate, the 2001 National Youth Libraries
Group calendar opened in April with a veritable feast! Over 60
people attended the ‘Banquet of Reading’ — a joint
YLG and Puffin Books literary lunch, held in the beautiful Botanical
Gardens in Birmingham.
The day provided an opportunity for us to further honour the
memory of Keith Barker, a dear friend and colleague, whose sudden
death at the end of 1998 saddened the children’s book world.
Keith was the Resources Development Manager at the Orchard Learning
Resources Centre at Westhill College in Birmingham and until his
death was a leading voice within our profession. He promoted children’s
books and libraries with enthusiasm and passion and his contribution
was immeasurable.
It was also a day for celebration — a celebration of 60
great years of publishing for Puffin Children’s Books. Puffin
have always stood for quality and their list reads like a roll
call of honour reflecting some of the best names in children’s
literature. A gourmet lunch with wine, generously sponsored by
Puffin, gave us all a wonderful opportunity to wish them a very
happy birthday, and a strong and vibrant future. Three of their
top authors provided the verbal literary delicacies to accompany
each course of the lunch.
Chris Riddell, brilliantly demonstrating ‘the power of illustration’,
superbly accompanied a starter course of seafood parcels.
Anne Fine, in her own inimitable style, was more than a match
for the main course of supreme of chicken bordelaise. Anne’s
witty descriptions of her writing and its interaction with child
readers, had the audience rocking with laughter; highlighting
‘the power of prose’ to great effect. YLG was subsequently
delighted to hear of Anne’s selection as the new Children’s
Laureate and offer her our congratulations. Finally desert —
a mouth watering three tier chocolate terrine, sumptuously decorated
with poetic gems from one of Britains best loved poets, Roger
McGough
All this, plus sparkling conversations with old and new friends,
and the chance to buy books from Peters Bookselling Services,
made this a totally unforgettable day, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone
who came.
Annie Everall
Past Chair, YLG
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Starter: Chris Riddell and Something Else
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