Bev and Kev
Katrina Germein and Mandy Foot
Honour Title in the category of BOOK OF THE YEAR: EARLY CHILDHOOD
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for children who are at pre-reading or early stages of reading. Ages 0-6 years.
The CBCA judges say…
Themes of friendship, acceptance and finding one’s place and tribe are explored as Bev the giraffe moves through the African landscape, experiencing social rejection from animals that cannot relate to her due to her size. Using the theme ‘opposites attract’, readers may empathise with Bev’s lonliness and her joy at finding a non-judgmental companion. Interesting synonyms for ‘big’ provide rich language, while important messages are imparted, such as body image, the comfort found in companionship and how our words may affect others. The pencil and watercolour illustrations shift in perspectives, emphasising Bev’s great height and perfectly matching her mood as seen in the bird’s eye view of her solitary walk. The southern African setting is clearly defined in these outstanding watercolour and pencil illustrations which are placed onto digitally rendered backgrounds, capturing the mood of the story to perfection. Illustrations and text harmonise well, and the spectacularly eye-catching final fold-out page creates a lovely resolution, told wordlessly.
Written with warmth and charm, Bev and Kev beautifully conveys important themes of friendship, acceptance, kindness, self-love and the search for a place to belong.
Bev the giraffe feels very out of place and decides to embark on a journey to find…
“A place that feels right, day and night.”
Eventually, Bev meets Kev, a tiny bird (a yellow-billed oxpecker) and a delightful friendship develops.
As Bev and Kev make their way to the waterhole, the themes of kindness, self-love, and belonging come to the fore. It is through kindness and self-love that their friendship develops, and they both find happiness.
The idea of acceptance is a dominant theme of this book. Bev and Kev’s contrasting physical appearances are symbolic of the diversity that exists in the world and their friendship makes this book an excellent tool to spark conversations about embracing difference and celebrating individuality.
Germein’s narrative delivers age-appropriate life lessons through the endearing friendship of Bev the giraffe and Kev the yellow-billed oxpecker. Mandy Foot’s gorgeous pencil and watercolour illustrations enhance the storytelling experience, and their highly emotive style is just beautiful to behold.
Bev and Kev is a charming picture book that well deserves its accolade as a 2023 Honour Book. It is a wonderful conversation starter and will encourage empathy and kindness among young readers.
