Bev and Kev by Katrina Germein and Mandy Foot

A story of acceptance and friendship will be well received by younger readers as they explore the realm of fitting in. Bev a giraffe hears the same from everybody, they all comment about her size, not giving any thought to how she might feel about it. The words which describe someone’s size come thick and fast as the monkeys ask her about the weather up there, the meerkats gasp at her hugeness, the penguins think she is gigantic, so she wanders off looking for a friend. She travels through the desert and along the coast until exhausted she needs to find a waterhole. Feeling a soft peck on her shoulder she is surprised to see a little bird. Kev tells her that he likes her long neck and she stands up a little taller. Kev wants to rest with Bev and suggests they find the waterhole, together. Bev’s legs were very tired and she was thirsty but the way to the waterhole does not seem as arduous when she has someone with her to talk to and share stories. They are now firm friends and settle in for the night with a host of other big and little animals.

The value of friendship is paramount to this tale of Bev and Kev. The two are opposites but the lonely giraffe is heartened by the little bird, Kev who sees the positives about Bec’s size. Friends do that for you, heightening self esteem, sharing stories and adventures and none of this will be lost on the readers as they too will be enraptured by the unlikely friendship.

Mandy Foot’s illustrations present the reader with an array of African animals and environments. I loved spying all the different animals and was pleased to see the ingenious list of those in the book in the last endpaper. Readers will love working out what animals are at the waterhole, their eyes resting on the distinctive trees in the background.

Themes: Africa, Animals, Friendship, Companionship, Synonyms, Humour.

Fran Knight