1st book in the Landy and Friends series

Product Information

He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of t Derek Landy is an Irish writer and screenwriter. In addition to the bestselling children's/YA series of Skulduggery Pleasant books, a supernatural mystery series starring Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, and Valkyrie Cain, a young female magician, he has written two screenplays that have been made into films: the IFTA award winning "Dead Bodies" and the IFTA nominated "Boy Eats Girl". Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script. Veronica Lamond is the author and illustrator of the well-loved and highly successful Landy and Friends books.

Tell us about the animation stuff? I’ve always hoped that someone might ask if they could do an animation of my books but, not one for hanging around, I thought with a little help I could do something myself. I did some research and found the Engine House in Cornwall and worked closely with them to create simple animations. I then found Fionn Crowe from Sharksbay Films and together we made the short film. What do you love about writing stories for children? It is the initial thinking of the story in imagery that I find wonderful – you can take it wherever you want to go. When I write, I am not just writing for children, but for the grown-ups who read to children. I want people to identify with my characters and for my books to trigger lots of conversation between children and adults, especially at bedtime. What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far? The people who run the Ethiopian Wolf absolutely love whatI have done and feel it will help promote the wonderful work they do.

Publication Order of Skulduggery Pleasant Books

What do you think most readers will take away from reading Fender Goes to Africa? I hope a feel of Africa. He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, but would like to extend an invitation to Oprah to pop around one day for tea, in thanks for selecting his book for the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List.

The characters presented in this novel are fantastic. First of all, Skulduggery is the very smart guy who will do everything under his magical capabilities to save those close to him. Also, Stephanie is a strong 12-year-old who manages to withstand all the challenges that the world has to offer despite her world being turned upside down. Lastly is Tanith Low, a brilliant fighter. The plot is tight despite the novel mostly focused on action. The Landy and Friends series of books engage children in diverse, real life activities through the lovable, animated characters of Landy (1956 Series 1) and Fender (1999 Defender). Fender Goes to Africa Dan and Fender go on their big adventure, travelling from Cairo to Cape Town. They have lots of adventures along the way … and even meet Jojo who gives Dan a present! (Jojo is the main character in Veronica’s book ‘ Jojo’s Wire Car‘) There are eight books in the series so far. The seventh book is a special edition about Landy visiting the Defender Factory in Solihull.

In this first novel, the two heroes are caught up in a battle intended to stopping evil forces from stealing Stephanie uncle most treasured possession- the Sceptre of the Ancients.

Her book 'Jojo's Wire Car' was published in June 2014, by Random House Struik Publishers in South Africa. The main plot of the entire series details the struggles of Valkyrie in trying to stop the whole world in from evil forces that threaten it, trying to get justice for the death of her uncle and the efforts to retain the darkness within. Please tell me about the commissions that you do for people who want a portrait of themselves with their Land Rover. People send me images of themselves, or their children, with their own Land Rover and I illustrate them in the Landybook animated-style. Sometimes I can also create a painting of their child with Landy or Fender, so they feel a part of the books. I have not been taking on commissions in the last year, as I have been so busy with the Fender animation, the new book and my educational work, but come the autumn I will start again.Did your early memories of South Africa have any influence on your books? Yes, Africa is in my blood. My Zulu nanny with her warm, relaxed nature was a wonderfully creative person who helped inspire my own creativity. My mother Ruth Keech was a poet, so writing was something thatwas always going on around me. When I was 14 I read The Lost World of the Kalahari by Laurence van der Post, whichmade me want to go exploring Africa in a Land Rover, but sadly, I have never had the time to do it – I guess I did it vicariously by writing about Dan and Fender travellingin Africa! With Skulduggery Pleasant gone all the hope lies with Valkyrie, and with the world’s weight heavily on her shoulder she must stop the evil forces with or without Skulduggery aid and change the fate of the earth. Did you ever intend to create a series? I always saw it as a series of books as the stories are endless really, but I am actually going to stop writing for a bit now and concentrate on the educational side of my work. Landy at the Factory is an exciting story of Landy’s birthday treat – an invitation to visit the real Defender Factory in Solihull.