You, and your friends and relations,

including children, of course,

are invited to the launch of

A Baker's Dozen will be launched by

Hilary Hatfield, librarian extraordinaire.

with the help of The Baker's Dozen Jam Roll Band

at LCL Architectural, 344 Hay Street, Subiaco

on Sunday 7^th October at 4.00 p.m.

A Baker's Dozen is a mouth-watering feast of stories cooked up by the highly acclaimed author, Nigel Gray, and sumptuously decorated by the celebrated artist, Cedric Baxter. Thirteen stories in one book to be savoured by children from five to twelve years of age. Bedtime treats for younger ones, while older kids will enjoy tucking into it for themselves. Charming, thought-provoking and bubbling over with laughs. Lip-smackingly good.

An Ideal Xmas present for children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and children of friends. The stories can be enjoyed on different levels, and are rich with ideas that can be discussed by children with parents or teachers.

Exciting, inspiring, tender, loving, charming, sensitive, extraordinary, thought-provoking, heart-warming, lyrical, subtle, funny, innovative, gentle, quirky, fantastic, witty, clever, crazy, delightful, original, exuberant, impeccable... This is how reviewers and experts have described previous children's books by Nigel Gray.

Wow!

And you will find all these qualities here in one rich volume.

One critic wrote: Gray writes superbly. His choice of words, his ability to describe a scene or situation simply yet meaningfully and his gentle, humorous way of exploring significant themes mark him as an outstanding writer.

Others said: Gray understands that children are capable of insight and compassion, even into complex issues; possibilities for follow-up in the classroom seem endless; layers of meaning can be enjoyed at each level; the whole book jumps with joy; it is full of special insights and a wicked sense of fun; he has a wonderful line in stories from the child's viewpoint; this is a book to be treasured.

They could have been describing A Baker's Dozen. And here you have a marvellous combination of words and pictures that goes way beyond any age barriers – a harmony between writer and illustrator that will capture the imagination of young and old alike.

If you are unable to get to the launch

signed copies can be purchased

for $22 ($25 including postage)

from Nigel Gray, Cedric Baxter

or Fontaine Press – http://www.fontainepress.com

Nigel and Cedric would like to thank

Matt Mappin of LCL Architectural for providing the venue,

Peter Stone of The Big Picture Factory for his help pre-press,

Jason, Nathalie and Lou of Fontaine Press for help with publication,

John, Julian, Lenny and Michael - the fantastic allstars
of The Baker's Dozen Jam Roll Band,

and not least, Library Goddess Hilary Hatfield.