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Meet “The Last Of The Navel Navigators”, a fun fantasy for kids of all ages (well, 9 and up!)

By John Freeman on March 18, 2018

The Last Of The Navel Navigators, a new project from David Hailwood (editor of 100% Biodegradable and my co-writer on “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”), is out now!

Featuring a cover by Brett Burbridge, the children’s book – a comedy fantasy for readers aged 9 – 12 – centres on Jellybean ‘Gator Bait’ Skratcher. Discovered in a swamp and raised by hillbillies, he soon learns he has the astounding ability to open portals to other worlds, using his bellybutton.

Promotional art for “The Last of the Navel Navigators” by Brett Burbridge

Jellybean sets out on an epic adventure across a hostile universe, led by a scatterbrained stork who’s made it his mission in life to deliver Jellybean to the right parents, or die trying. But when your best friend’s a goat, and your greatest hope for survival relies solely upon a talentless magician who can only do card tricks, nothing is likely to go as planned!

It’s a fun tale full of David’s trademark humour and a bargain at £1.99 for Kindle.

• For all your magical hillbilly bellybutton needs, you can buy the book on amazon.couk in print or for Kindle here

• Check out more of David’s work at davidhailwood.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.