Special Kev

Chris McKimmie (author/illustrator)

Allen&Unwin, Australia: 2008

ISBN: 9781741755503

Genres: picture book

Issues: differences, family, friendship

Shortlisted CBCA Awards: Early Childhood

‘I am the only one of all my eleventy million cousins with curly hair, red hair and freckles.'

Special Kev, as his parents affectionately call him, is doing fine until the thing with Nicky Bathgate. Which wasn't entirely his fault, of course. It actually started when Uncle Tom got a job in Tumblegum and his favourite cousin, Fatty Boombah, moved away. Nothing's gone right since then and Kev is lonely. So when he thinks Nicky Bathgate is having a go at him, he explodes.

Feeling different, standing out from the crowd, not quite fitting in - these are all things that can make people the target of mockery, feeding their insecurities and damaging their self-confidence. Insecurity is often expressed as anger and since Fatty Boombah left, Kev is feeling pretty angry. Through the character of Aunty Pav, with her dyed red hair, pretend name, multi-coloured picket fence and ‘house made of tears', McKimmie demonstrates that it is not just children who are affected by feelings of isolation and insecurity. McKimmie's mixed media illustrations capture the moods of the characters, especially Kev's sensation of being overwhelmed by circumstances and a large family. Definitely a book that will provoke discussion.