Being Jimmy Baxter Book Launch

Last night, Wednesday the 19^th of July, I was able to attend a fabulous book launch for a CBCA friend and member, and leader of my local writing group at our favourite local and independent bookshop. Fiona Lloyd has recently had her debut novel, Being Jimmy Baxter published by Puffin, and we celebrated the official launch at our favourite and no doubt the best bookshop we have on the Central Coast, Book Face Erina Fair.

The event as hosted by Alison the manager of Bookface, and a Q & A and chat about the book led by local ABC radio host, Scott Levi, who interviewed Fiona as well on air on Tuesday morning. But the launch at Book Face was the big event. Part of the discussion talked about Australian children’s books and their place here – and how important it is for Australian kids and readers to see themselves in Australian stories – something that I have found to be true as a reader because books like Jimmy Baxter, or Saving Charli by Di Walker, or any of Jackie French’s books show us different slivers of the lives of Australians, and what it means to be Australian in many different ways. Jimmy’s experience is one way of being Australian. One way of growing up in the country and one way of finding who you are and where you fit in. It was an interesting chat, filled with laughs and commentary that made the book shiny  for everyone.

100 people attended from all over the coast – kids from schools, teachers, librarians, book lovers and of course, some of our wonderful members from the CBCA Central Coast sub-branch. The event was buzzing with enthusiasm and love for Jimmy, who was introduced to us through a couple of readings by Fergus, who looked and sounded just like I – and everyone else including his creator, Fiona – imagined. It was hard to believe that 100 people would fit in the store, but the staff managed, and in a way that it didn’t feel like we were crammed in, which was really good. I was speaking with the photographer hired to capture the event who also worked at the Words on the Waves festival, and we both agreed that it would be a wonderful place for events in the future, such as more book launches and author talks. It is a space that has a welcoming feel, similar to the space upstairs at Gleebooks. That is another place that often hosts events and book launches.

Having a location like this that is not only lovely, inviting, and welcoming, but something local and easy to get to for many people is ideal for events like Fiona’s book launch, because it has a fantastic sense of community, and even though I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone I wanted to, it was just lovely to be in a place with fellow book lovers and writers, and people who had a connection to the children’s book community, because it felt friendly and vibrant, and joyous – a perfect combination to celebrate Jimmy embarking on his journey in the world. I had such a great time at this event – whilst it was big, it still felt intimate because we were all there for the same thing. And just like Jimmy does in the book, I think many people there started to find their shiny and embraced Jimmy with all their hearts. Welcome to the world, Jimmy! It’s great to have you here.