The XK Files: 120, by Jennifer Barker (children's book)

A magical children's story about a boy, his grandpa and a classic car - a Jaguar XK 120

Whilst at a holiday cottage in Cornwall, nine-year-old Bill makes a fantastic discovery hidden at the back of the garage – an old English sports car, a Jaguar XK 120. What’s more, an XK 120 that can talk! Bill and the car soon become firm friends. Bill names the car ‘XK’ and introduces him to his grandpa. Together they realise that magic happens when Bill sits in the car. The engine starts, XK transforms into a new car, and they are magically transported back in time.

XK takes them to Grandpa’s childhood home in London, in 1949. Bill sees his grandpa and Great Aunt Charlotte as children, and he watches the London of the late ’40s being rebuilt after the war. The next time they visit London, they witness the Great Smog of 1952. Bill realises just how different things were for his grandpa growing up.

When Bill and his grandpa visit London again, it is the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953. At the street party outside Grandpa’s house, Bill overhears a conversation between three gentlemen who are spies. This sets Bill, XK and Grandpa a mystery to solve. Their adventures take them across London, with the events of Coronation Day taking place all around them. They must find out what is going on, with XK, young Grandpa and Charlotte’s help – and save the day!

The illustrator

Robin Lawrie has been a freelance illustrator for almost fifty years. One career highlight was creating a graphic novel adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Magician’s Nephew for Harper Collins and collaborating with C.S. Lewis’ stepson on the projects. At a guess (his own!) Robin has illustrated about 400 children’s books. He has illustrated many children’s classics including The Wind in the Willows and The Secret Garden for Puffin, Peter Pan and A Little Princess for Parragon, a Hans Anderson and Brothers Grimm collection for Kingfisher and Hamlyns and The Nutcracker for Templar. A car and bike enthusiast, Robin has produced many greetings cards of vintage cars.

Specification

Softback | 128 pages | 130mm x 197mm | ISBN: 978-1-907085-72-7

Illustrations: 40 in black and white

The author – Jennifer Barker

Jennifer Barker has been writing for children for over 20 years. Starting as Editorial Assistant at Redan Publishing, Jennifer wrote and designed pages for national children’s magazines such as Bananas in Pyjamas. Jennifer’s first magazine as Editor was that of none other than Welsh legend and hero Fireman Sam. During her time at Redan Publishing, Jennifer also wrote and designed stories and activities for such luminaries of the children’s entertainment world as Maisy, Dora the Explorer, Bagpuss, Postman Pat, Mr Men, Sooty, Peppa Pig, Care Bears, My Little Pony and [motoring link here!] Roary the Racing Car – working with colleagues, freelance contributors, character creators and licensor contacts in the children’s TV, toy and publishing world. Jennifer also worked for Egmont Publishing as Editor of two Thomas the Tank Engine magazines, developing stories and activities with contributors and the show’s producers.

Jennifer lives in Shropshire with her husband and two children and worked with fellow Shropshire resident, the illustrator Robin Lawrie, on Porter Press International’s first-ever children’s book The XK Files:120, published in May 2018.