Betty Birney’s Blog

On Tuesday, up early again for a car to take Helena and me to the Guardian (newspaper) newsroom. This is an educational facility across the street from the newspaper offices, bright and modern with all kinds of interactive displays and a mock newsroom to help students learn about journalism. First things first, though: a stop at the coffee shop where I met fellow author Sue Bentley, which whom I’d be presenting, and the program’s organizers.

Sue is author of a super-popular series here called The Magic Kitten. Her World Book Day book is the 16th in the series and there’s a magic puppy in Sue’s future! They brought in two different groups of students and we each spoke, then took questions together and did a signing. Sue and I were so simpatico, if I lived here, I’d suggest we always do our presentations together. The only sour note was that one school didn’t make it, due to a train shut down in Tooting. It’s not difficult to remember how exciting a field trip is and we were so sorry for their plight. We signed a set of books and posters to be delivered to them.

A quick lunch with Sue and organizers, then off to the BBC. I’m not only a fan of BBC television productions, I even listen to the radio online. And there I was, at one of the larger radio facilities on Portland Place, where another Faber friend, Rebecca, met me. It was quite an impressive place with an oddly menacing revolving door at security. Vibeke Venema, the producer, took us upstairs to tape an interview for Go4It, a children’s program on Radio 4. I was told that I’d be interviewed by children but, to my surprise and delight, I was interviewed by a hamster named Henrietta (in the human form of actress and reporter Sue Elliot-Nichols). Sue had developed a complete life history and personality for Henrietta and it wasn’t all so happy (Her family always forgets to top off her water.) As I answered questions about Humphrey, I learned a lot more about Henrietta, including the fact that she has quite a crush on Room 26’s favorite pet. Even with breaks for Henrietta to crunch her celery, it was a delightful experience. I’ll put up the link when I have it.

Sue, Vibeke and me

Then Rebecca and I walked to another BBC building a few blocks away. Literary fans, I checked in at the desk next to author Julian Barnes. Then we went up to somewhat shabbier offices and waited in a reception room until I was called into a tiny room where I was left alone with a microphone and headphones and a volume switch. I was told that someone would come on the air soon. It took about as long as it takes to boil water (forever) before I heard the voice of Steve Scruton of BBC Radio Essex telling me we’d be on the air in a minute. Steve was a great interviewer, as it turns out, who gave Humphrey and me a glowing introduction which included a review from a young boy who said everything I’d want to be said about the books.  Steve had done his homework well and the interview was a lot of fun.

My career at the BBC came to a (temporary, I hope) end and a car took me back to the hotel where I got ready for a very big evening!

Julia Wells, my UK editor whom I’d never met, came to the hotel first, then walked Frank and me to a nearby pub where other members of the Faber team were waiting. Julia was hardly a stranger after several years of emailing and one phone call and besides, she chose Humphrey! It was something like meeting long lost relatives – faces put with names, and people who are working for Humphrey that I didn’t even know about.  Then we walked around the corner to a restaurant on Charlotte Street called Passione. http://www.passione.co.uk/home.php3 The chef is Gennaro Contaldo, who is Jamie Oliver’s (The Naked Chef) mentor. We had a private dinner upstairs with the Faber group and select people from the children’s book world (buyers, reviewer, etc.). The best food and generous pourings of wine and excellent, excellent company. A night to remember and yes, I do remember what I ate: a pear and rocket salad, halibut on a bed of spinach, blood orange and lemon sorbet. More interestingly presented than I made it sound. I couldn’t finish it all and the walk home (after lengthy goodbyes to our Faber friends on the sidewalk) felt pretty darn good.