The XK Files: 120.
Reviewed by Kim Henson.
Author: Jennifer Barker (and illustrated by Robin Lawrie)
Published by: Porter Press International Ltd; https://porterpress.co.uk/
128 pages; softback
Price: £6.99 UK; $9.99 USA.
ISBN: 978-1-907085-72-7
When I was a lad I used to love reading, as well as being interested in motor cars, and I was always excited to find books that heavily involved cars and motoring within their pages. Well, fast forward a few decades and I have just found another one that I very much enjoyed reading!
In a first for Porter Press, well-known and respected for comprehensive classic Jaguar titles, the firm has published its first ever children’s book.
Written by Jennifer Barker (Assistant Editor of the XK Club and E-type Club’s magazines, and who for many years has worked on writing aimed at children), the book is about nine year old Bill, his grandfather, and a Jaguar XK120. The car was discovered in a garage of a Cornish holiday cottage and had been unused for years.
This story line was already fascinating to me, and more spice was added when it transpired that the car was magically awakened and could talk!
Without wishing to spoil the story line, things became even more interesting when Bill, the Jaguar and Bill’s grandad became involved in an intriguing spy mystery, and it turns out that the car was extremely helpful to them…
The story is further brought to life by a series of terrific and evocative drawings, created by Robin Lawrie, a car and bike enthusiast, and who has been a freelance illustrator for nearly 50 years. In addition to his work illustrating children’s books he has also produced many greetings cars featuring vintage cars.
VERDICT
A delightful, well-written book which would appeal to any young enthusiast interested in cars, especially classics. It would make a great stocking filler for Christmas or indeed would be a welcome present at any time, and at £6.99 it represents good value I feel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book (indeed it also took me back in my mind as it was just the sort of story I would have enjoyed reading when I was young!).