Belly Flop
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Cover Story
The cover of this issue is a design incorporating illustrations from four books illustrated by the subject of our Authorgraph, Ian Beck. The top left illustration is from Five Little Ducks (Orchard), the top right from Poppy and Pip's Picnic (to be published Autumn '97 by HarperCollins), the bottom left from The Owl and the Pussy-cat (Transworld) and the bottom right from Home Before Dark (to be published September '97 by Scholastic). Ian Beck's Picture Book (Hippo) is reviewed in this issue.
Beck talks to BfK's interviewer, Julia Eccleshare, also in this issue. His distinctive decorative style with its sensitive pen line and cross hatching has a nostalgic but sometimes also a surreal quality - he describes it as 'a look that is floating, strong and wistful all at the same time'.
Thanks to Orchard, HarperCollins, Transworld and Scholastic for their help in producing this composite cover.
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Belly Flop
Mitch's father is the bank representative responsible for issuing repossession orders to farmers ruined by the Australian drought. As a result, Mitch finds himself friendless and often threatened. He comes to rely on the support of his imaginary guardian angel, Doug, and his pet project to distract everyone from their anger - a diving competition. When a cloudburst ends the drought and people need to be rescued from the floods which threaten their houses, Mitch is convinced that is Doug's way of giving the family an opportunity to make amends. All works out in the end and the way is transparently paved for a sequel, 'Mitch's Water Wings'. This is a quirky book which will probably appeal to Year 7 and 8 boys who are reluctant readers but familiar with Australian slang.
