Fame at Last!

The fourth Mokee Joe book – Mokee Joe: Mutant Ressurection, has finally been launched at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City.

Tuesday, 10th January, provided a day to remember!

My cover artist, Paul Bryn Davies, his wife Julie, my son Matthew and my wife Kath, all accompanied me to New York for the BIG event. Our host, Judy Parker, and her team did not let us down. The theatre was filled to capacity with over 1400 pupils from schools all over New York and the atmosphere was ‘electric’. Our friends from Louisiana, Margie and Allison, also flew into New York to join in the ‘Celebration of Reading’.

Margie and Judy were excellent speakers in building up the tension for the launch of the

Pete, Matt and Paul in Harlem

new Mokee Joe book. A slightly nervous Paul Davies also rose to the occasion and spoke to the more than enthusiastic audience about his approach to artwork. Paul also presented prizes to the winners of the Mokee Joe art competition. Kath, my wife, also looked a little tense in front of the huge audience as she presented prizes in the written and creative modelling sections of the competitions.

Signing the Board of Fame

Finally it was time for me to make my entrance and I have to say I was pleasantly shocked by the euphoric welcome from the packed auditorium. When the new book cover  was finally revealed, there was a huge gasp followed by an ear-splitting cheer as the students were told they would each receive a copy of the new book. Anyone who believes young people are no longer interested in books should have been there!  The atmosphere had to be experienced to be believed! After the event we met up with ‘Mr Apollo’ himself…a man who has worked at the theatre all his life and has met just about every famous celebrity around. He asked me sign the ‘Board of Fame’ and I signed near to Sir Paul McCartney and not far from the President and his wife. There were so many famous names I lost count.

Thank you once again to all at Carmel Hill for making such an event possible and especially to Judy Parker for all her organisation and hard work.

PJM