B.C. author celebrates 25 years of Silverwing series with graphic novel edition

B.C.-born author Kenneth Oppel debuteda new graphic novel basedon his Silverwingchildren's bookseries on its 25th anniversary, which he's celebrating with a book tour in Vancouver and Victoria.

The series follows the adventures of a young bat named Shade who embarks on a journey to return home after becoming separated from his colonyduring a dangerous winter migration.It has sold over a million copies worldwide since it was published in 1997, and spawned three sequels.

It has also been adapted into an animated TV series and a stage play.

Oppel, who was raised in Vancouver Island and now lives in Toronto, is celebrating the series' anniversary and the graphic novel's release with classroomvisits in Vancouver and Victoria next week.

"Shade came from that well-loved tradition of the underdog, the runt," said Oppel, describing the main character as obnoxious at times, but with lots of zeal and determination.

Oppel says he is excited to re-create his book in a more visual format. The graphic novel, published a month ago in September,was done in collaboration withSaskatchewan-based illustrator Christopher Steininger.

The graphic novel mirrors the first book in theSilverwingseries.

"That was a real appeal to me, just to see how this bat world, this nocturnal world, could be rendered in full technicolour," said Oppel.

He looks forward to sharing Shade's adventures with a new generation of children.

"Kids are the most enthusiastic of any audience you could hope for," said Oppel.

"You will never have an experience with books as intense as the one you had with those beloved books of your youth."