The Willow Glen Resident Photograph by Norman Lomax Fertile Imagination: Children's book author Lynne Reid Banks says her early attempts at acting taught her how to get inside the minds of her fictional characters. Author Lynne Reid Banks discusses her latest works 'Indian in the Cupboard' author will read from her newest book at Hicklebee's on Sept. 29 By Mary Spicuzza For over two decades, author Lynne Reid Banks has enjoyed international praise for her ability to weave fantasy into the real world. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the writer of the award-winning Indian in the Cupboard series will visit Hicklebee's Children's Books on Lincoln Avenue to share tales from The Key to the Indian, her newest addition to the renowned Indian series. The author will read from and discuss her latest work, and promises to bring some artifacts related to the adventures of The Indian in the Cupboard saga. "I'm not going to give too much away, but I will bring things that are real that I've put into my books while talking about the magical worlds that they inhabit," Banks says. The Key, the fifth novel in the series, once again follows the adventures of Omri, a fictional boy who first discovered the famous magical cupboard that can turn toys into living things. This time the young hero travels back in time to help Little Bear, an Iroquois, face dangerous and troubled times. Unlike the other books in the series, an adult becomes directly involved in Omri's adventures as his father accompanies him on his journey through time. What results are even greater discoveries and new understandings between father and son. During research for the novel, Banks traveled to Canada to ensure her fantasy had a solid basis in the realities of American Indian peoples. She visited various Iroquois reservations to learn about their history and culture, and also spent time with a Mohawk Indian regalia-maker. He provided her with a traditional handmade Iroquois doll and later served as one of her cultural consultants for the book. A London native, Banks already has special ties to Canada. It was there that she fled as a child "war guest" during World War II. As an adult she acted in several British theater troupes before emigrating to Israel, where she taught English and lived on a kibbutz for almost a decade. Banks has raised three children and now lives with her husband in an old farmhouse in Dorset, England. When asked about her ability to tap into fantasy and children's inner worlds, Banks credits a series of inspirations yet hints at fate. "I was a failure as an actress," Banks says jovially. "But it has helped me learn how to get inside the heads of fictional characters." Regardless of which factors led her on the path to writing, the world is grateful for them. Her books have received top honors from The New York Times, American Bookseller and the Parents' Choice Awards. In her years as a novelist, which began when she was only 24 with The Adventures of King Midas, Banks has written more than 30 books. She has devoted most of the past decade to creating children's books, including The Indian series, I, Houdini, The Farthest-Away Mountain and One More River. Monica Holmes, co-owner of Hicklebee's, says the store has had a longtime love of Banks' work. "Our original fascination with Lynne is just that Indian is a wonderful story. It's perfect to read aloud at the store," Holmes says. She adds that since Banks' first reading in the early '80s, they've also become good friends. Banks also inspired Hicklebee's employee Carol Schweppe and her husband, Steve, who added an old cupboard and plastic Indians to their already intricate decorations at the shop. The cupboard display, first created in the early '80s, has changed with each new novel of the series. Like the employees of the shop, Banks says the series has helped her own creativity. "I'm grateful to certain characters, like the Indian, for providing inspiration when I needed it," Banks says. The author will also briefly discuss Maura's Angel, a book about the conflict in Northern Ireland as seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl, as well as her first Hollywood collaboration, Moses of Egypt: A Novel Inspired by the Film, to coincide with the release of the Prince of Egypt film due out this December. And of course, the main topics will include fantasy, magic and imagination. "So far as I know, nothing is better for the imagination than reading," Banks says. "The creative muscle is like any other in the body--you use it or lose it." Lynne Reid Banks will visit Hicklebee's, 1378 Lincoln Ave., Tue., Sept. 29, 3-5pm. For more information, call 292-8880. [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, September 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.