[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":11},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-cakes-in-space-the-london-invasion":3},{"_type":4,"body":5,"bodyHtml":6,"excerpt":5,"featuredImage":5,"publishedAt":7,"slug":8,"tags":9,"title":10},"blogPost",null,"Yesterday morning we had our \u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/cakes-in-space/\">\u003Ci>Cakes in Space\u003C/i>\u003C/a> launch! And there were cake hats! Cakes with eyes! Cakes that were ALIVE....\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth10_zpsd0afffe5-4e66cc56fd.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nThe previous day, my co-author \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/philipreeve1\">Philip Reeve\u003C/a> and I had signed stock for indie bookshops and prepared for the next day's event, but we had no idea what sorts of life forms we'd encounter.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_signingcakeprep_zps709f836f-ced9d596be.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nIn the morning, my trusty companion, Stuart, and I travelled light years to Marylebone High Street to the space station that is \u003Ca href=\"http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/events.asp?TAG=&CID=\">Daunt Books\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_sarahstu_carselfie_zps90f09302-a7b952355e.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAnd we were met by cakes! Cakes with eyes! \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth04_zpsff9510f6-48a2d59834.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\n\u003C!--more Click here for lots more under the cut!-->\\r\nThese fearsome creatures were carefully herded by cake wranglers from \u003Ca href=\"http://blog.oxfordchildrens.co.uk/2014/09/04/cakes-in-space/\">Oxford University Press\u003C/a>, including Cecily, Camille Davis and Hattie Bayly.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_sarahpic_team_zpsf57dd964-c235f6b218.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nSweet wheat-based morsels clamped on to people's heads and wouldn't get off! \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_donuthat_zpsd658c12e-745abd59f1.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nBut somehow, these people took it in their stride...\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_tom_sami_zpsd56bbd55-d2fe98149d.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n...They couldn't seem to understand their peril. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_owlkids2_zps2e7d00f7-cbd3486b86.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nIn fact - shock horror - some of the visitors even ENCOURAGED the cakes in their ferocious tendencies. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_owlkids_zps9e778f80-0368820b30.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nI sensed these cakes had undue influence on their hosts.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_sami_hat_zps0c9fbcfb-a8b55a0926.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Deadly Knitshade\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"http://whodunnknit.com/\">whodunnknit.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nFearless scientists that we are, Reeve and I took to the podium to investigate these strange happenings. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth02_zpsd65e2364-eb274b2f69.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nPhilip demonstrated the wonder of SCIENCE, how in the future in \u003Ci>Cakes in Space\u003C/i>, people can insert protein sachets into the marvellous NOM-O_TRON and produce the most excellent food you can imagine. In Philip's case, it was a chocolate biscuit. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth13_zps9f6a92cb-4f49d2e3c1.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nOf course, I had to jump in and try out this science of the future. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth14_zpsd9b90892-51513ec467.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nI could envision MUCH more awesome treats than Philip, so I'd be sure to get something at least a hundred times better. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth17_zpsf330fe93-9122383656.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nBut what was this? A carrot?!! ...Science is not all it's cracked up to be. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth15_zpsf96d1612-1e585685a9.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nThis little girl was seriously skeptical. I expect she'll grow up and become the sort of scientist who relies on things like DATA and EVIDENCE, which is rather an odd concept. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth23_zps99f193fe-6c409301f4.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nBut those cakes were still lurking, so we delved into our carefully researched report and read out useful passages to the audience, warning them about their impending doom.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth32_zps3078dbc4-4c7e8d14e0.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nNow, I ought not to give away all the secrets of our research, but I can allude to a strange occurrence during the event, brought on by Visitors from Elsewhere, which left Philip struck to the heart with tragic loss. ...A moment of silence, please.  \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_beckyportsmouth31_zps31802446-585c799f92.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by \u003Cb>Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/b> - \u003Ca href=\"www.rebeccalouise.com\">rebeccalouise.com\u003C/a>\u003C/font>\u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\nTo deal with these dangers in the future, we need TECHNOLOGY, mostly in the form of robots who look rather friendly. I drew a diagram of a \u003Ci>Cakes in Space\u003C/i>-featured robot named Pilbeam. And so that the schematics of this fine robot would not be forgotten by future generations, I had everyone draw Pilbeam along with me, implanting the robot's makeup directly into their brains. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_stuartpic_draw1_zps38cad59e-98b70f29c1.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAnd the implantation was successful, each diagram slightly altered so that the memory could not be wiped out by a single virus. (Clever, yes?)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_daunt_pilbeam_zps00b4152c-28739343c3.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Ci>\u003Cfont size=\"1\">Pictures by \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/LAWsomeTweets\">@LAWsomeTweets\u003C/a> and Katie on \u003Ca href=\"https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldofagwu/sets/72157647144362247/\">Martin Hand's Flickr page\u003C/a>\u003C/i>\u003C/font>\\r\n\\r\nTo lighten this dark, prophetic mood, Philip and I sang a ballad from the future, dating to just the time before everyone gets artsy-fartsy and starts singing only in binary. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_stuartpic_song_zps3d7cdf9d-0a90b0070d.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nWhat wonderous things these humans have wrought! \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_guydrawings_zps43329109-b462a59f9a.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nWe practised our Battle Cry of the Future, in case our defensive technology is not enough to ward off the killer cakes. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_sarahpic_dulc_zpsb2d9f99f-dd80dc9a07.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAnd still the cakes lurked, preferring the cranial regions. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_odette_elliot_zps3c84e7b9-4d0ee94d37.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nDon't be deluded by their enticing appearance, these cakes have \u003Ci>issues\u003C/i>.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_mypic_zpsc3bd8249-30bf41e6f5.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nDespite the gloom and doom of the presentation, the front window display at Daunt Books Marylebone looked quite jolly. We suspect they \u003Ci>may\u003C/i> be in collusion with the killer cakes.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_dauntwindow_marylebone_zpsa79c57c9-1ce63f7e47.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAfter our signing, Philip and I traveled with Norwegian starship captain \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Change_Places\">Karoline Bakken\u003C/a> to another satellite of Daunt.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/glam_philip_reeve_zps92bfea9e-ba1a2495cf.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nDespite its rather old-fashioned facade, \u003Ca href=\"http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/shops.asp?TAG=&CID=\">Daunt Books Hampstead\u003C/a> \u003Ci>IS\u003C/i> the future and houses a time machine in its basement. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/daunt_hampstead_zpse07bc74f-fce26fced8.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nThe staff let us inscribe coded warnings for future generations in their \u003Ci>Cakes in Space\u003C/i> books but pretended not to know what we were talking about when we asked them about the time machine. So we left them, vowing to return when their secret could be revealed. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/daunt_hampstead_team_zps265c06ee-2d780f6948.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAs we traveled, Captain Bakken lavished unwarranted affection on our captured cake. Being nice to cakes doesn't help anything, you ought to know. \u003Ci>Eat the cake before it eats you\u003C/i>, that's our motto. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_karoline_car_zpse9f7de24-d64eca1304.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nNext stop: \u003Ca href=\"http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/shops.asp?TAG=&CID=\">Daunt Books Holland Park\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/daunt_hollandpark_zpsdc2f2c36-9e2c2bc476.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nBut what is this? My co-pilot decided to go undercover, to wear CIVVIES, while I remained still properly clad in my fighting uniform. Obviously this is a sign of some overarching PLAN we have, but I can't tell you about it or I'll have to kill you. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cakes_changes_zps4ca44f01-d705b602cd.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nBe aware. Be vigilant. Run to your nearest bookshop and snatch up a copy of \u003Ci>Cakes in Space\u003C/i> so that you, too, can be prepared for alien cake attack. You NEVER KNOW when they might strike. I will leave you with our public service broadcast:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Clj-embed id=\"2807\"/>\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ci>Huge thanks to \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Dauntbooks\">Daunt staff\u003C/a> for hosting us in a bookshop that's regularly listed as one of the world's most beautiful, our \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/OUPChildrens\">OUP team\u003C/a>, Stuart (who ran around getting bits and pieces we'd forgotten), sculptor \u003Ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/EddieSmith3D?fref=ts\">Eddie Smith\u003C/a> for helping make the Killer Cake hat, \u003Ca href=\"http://www.wendybenstead.com/\">Wendy Benstead and team\u003C/a> for costumes, \u003Ca href=\"http://www.rebeccalouise.com/\">Rebecca Portsmouth\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"http://www.whodunnknit.com\">Deadly Knitshade\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/charliehacking\">Charlotte Hacking\u003C/a> and other people who took and tweeted fab photos, everyone who made those awesome hats, \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/LizScottPR\">Liz Scott\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/LoisNina\">Philippa Perry\u003C/a> for all your planning work! And to everyone who came along, and bought every single \u003C/i>Cakes in Space\u003Ci> book at the shop! The Daunt staff were Very Happy!\u003C/i> :D","2014-09-14T08:06:00.000Z","cakes-in-space-the-london-invasion",[],"cakes in space, the london invasion",1776628726831]