Bev and Kev by Katrina Germein illustrated by Mandy Foot

Where does Bev fit? She is SO tall. The other animals say cruel things to her, mocking her for her height, belittling her for being different. Bev is desperately lonely and very sad. She heads off into the desert. Finally, after days of walking and extreme thirst and hunger Bev collapses in the desert. But she is not alone. A little bird arrives. 

You may already know that yellow-billed oxpeckers hang out on massive African mammals like giraffe, water buffalo, and eland during the day—an often-beneficial relationship that provides hosts with cleaner, healthier skin. These small brown birds can often be seen perched on top or hanging off the animals, picking through their hair in search of tasty parasites like ticks.

Book design - the end papers in Bev and Kev are perfect - they look like the markings on a giraffe. At the front there are simple (child-like) pictures of giraffes on each 'spot' and then at the back we can see nine other African animals - okapi, colobus monkey, secretary bird, and red river hog. The final pages of this book fold out in a joyous celebration of new friends. But the best part of this book are the illustrations.  Take a look at these close-ups of Bev's face. Mandy Foot captures every emotional nuance so perfectly.

Bev and Kev was a 2023 Children's Book Council of Australia Early Childhood shortlisted title. Here are the judges comments:

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 loneliness 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.

I am sure Bev and Kev has been shared in every school library in Australia this year, but my plea is to keep it at the top of your list when you are selecting books to read in your school library again next year and beyond. I often ponder which books from awards such as our CBCA book of the year titles continue to be shared by Teacher-Librarians and even class teachers. It surprises me, when I look back at the CBCA short lists from past years, how few books featured in my program in later years, but I do think Bev and Kev should be added to your library read aloud repertoire. 

Here are all the books from the 2023 CBCA Short list - Bev and Kev was my own personal favourite after Jigsaw. I have also talked on this blog about Market Day. 

The way Bev and Kev combines actual animals (in this case African animals) with things that are true in nature reminded me of these two classic animal stories both of which are a joy to read aloud.

Puffling

Little Humpty

Love by Sophia by Jim Averbeck illustrated by Yasmin Ismail

"Art!' cried Grand-mama. 'A six-year-old could do this!' Sophia refrained from pointing out that a six-year-old had."

Ms Paradigm sets the class an assignment. The children have to draw something they love. Sophia tries to paint and draw but nothing looks right until Ms Paradigm explains about perspective. Noodle, Sophia's giraffe friend, helps her understand how this works. When her painting is completed Sophia takes it to show her family. Mother is a judge; father is a businessman; Uncle Conrad is a politician and Grand-mama is the head curator. Sophia is sure her art work should be displayed on the family refrigerator. No one seems to agree with her until she is able to change their perspective.

This is another Sophia book which is filled with utterly delicious words: leniency; injunction; free market; public sector; consideration; radical; avant-garde;and despondent. There is a glossary at the back of the book with an explanation of each word.

This is the third book in the series. All three books should be added to every Primary school library. These books are truly special. You can see some illustrations from Love by Sophia here.

One word from Sophia

If you want to talk about perspective with a young child try to find this book by Pat Hutchins.

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds part one, The Giraffe

Image Source: CBCA

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

I think the story of Zeraffa (Zefara), the giraffe that was taken to France in 1824, would be a good way to explore the 2020 CBCA slogan.  In 1824 giraffes were certainly very curious creatures. Actually I think they are still quite curious and delightful. Wild minds - the people of Paris went wild when Zeraffa arrived.

Giraffes became THE fashion from clothes to hair styles, ceramics to wallpaper. There were even ice creams and a new colour name 'giraffe' which later we would call cafe au lait. Here is an example of the wallpaper showing how "wild" the people were for this new creature and fashion.

I have read two books about Zeraffa - Zeraffa Giraffa by Dianne Hofmeyr illustrated by Jane Ray and A Giraffe for France by Leith Hillard illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

Blurb: In 1824 the Pasha of Egypt gave a baby giraffe to the King of France. Along with her keeper, Atir, Zeraffa Giraffa travelled over 4000 miles, sailing down the Nile, across the Mediterranean and then walking 550 miles from Marseilles to Paris. Zeraffa arrived in 1827, the first giraffe ever seen in France. All Paris fell in love with her. Gardeners clipped giraffe hedges; ladies twisted their hair into styles à la Girafe; dogs wore spotted jackets.  BookTrust

Blurb: The true story of how the first giraffe came to France in 1826 and the remarkable effect that the animal had on French society at the time. It tells of her capture at an oasis near the River Nile, the voyage across the Mediterranean and the amazing walk from Marseilles to Paris.

The first thing to notice about the two books above are their famous illustrators - Sophie Blackall (Hello Lighthouse is short listed for the 2020 CBCA Picture book of Year award) and Jane Ray (image below)

The back story:

Zeraffa means charming or lovely one. Zeraffa was a gift from the ruler of Egypt (Muhammad Ali) to the King of France (Charles X). She was captured in Sudan. She walked the final 550 miles from Marseilles to Paris. The whole journey took two and half years. By the time she arrived in Paris she was four metres tall and she was the first giraffe ever seen in France.

Further reading

• Art in Society, The Art of Giraffe Diplomacy, Phillip McCouat, 2015.
• The Fashion Historian, La mode a la girafe, Katy Werlin, 2014.
• Hyperallergic, How Zafara, France's first giraffe, became a cultural sensation, Allison Meier, 2017.
• NPR, Book extract Zafara: A giraffes true story, Michael Allin, 2006
• Wikipedia, Zafara (giraffe).

Here is the trailer for the 2012 Animated film about Zarafa.

I have not seen these three books but they might be useful additions when you explore this topic:

Here is a video of this book.

I also found some work displayed in a classroom:

Image source: Herts for Learning - click to see closer images of this creative work.

Here is a painting from 1827

Image source: Hyperallergic

One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck and Yasmeen Ismail

Sophia knows exactly the right gift for her Birthday - a giraffe -  but she has four big problems. Her mother, her father, her Uncle Conrad and her Grand-mama. Sophia will not be defeated. She presents her appropriate arguments to each family member in turn.

Mother is a judge.
Father is a businessman
Uncle Conrad is a politician
Grand-mama is very strict

Sophia explains to her mother, in a long sophisticated speech sounding like a barrister in the court, that a giraffe could deliver her safely to ballet. She then explains to her father, in a pragmatic and business-like way, giraffes are a good source of manure which could be sold for a profit. For Uncle Conrad Sophia conducts a poll with her toys.  I love her results - two toys strongly agree with her proposition 'Ballerinas should ride giraffes to school.' Two others also agree but pony boy disagrees!

With each presentation Sophia uses a variety of tools such as a slideshow, graphs, a survey, and a pie chart. Her case seems compelling but each family member says no with their own words:

"your argument was too verbose."
"your presentation was far too effusive."
"And besides your report was far too loquacious."

Tutu-wearing Sophia packs determination, whimsy, and aplethora of strategies to handle a passel of impressive words.  One small, vivacious, loquacious little browngirl dreams of her One True Desire: a pet giraffe for her birthday. Kirkus Star

There are days when I pick up a book that is just SO GOOD I gasp in delight. One Word from Sophia is a superb book! This is a book about the power of words, the importance of perseverance and optimism all delivered by a little girl who will make you cheer and smile.  Look this review - Five reasons to get One word from Sophia.

This is a book that should be in EVERY Primary School library and I would add it to a High School collection too. Jim Averbeck has a set of teaching ideas on his web page. You can see the distinctive art style of Yasmeen Ismail here. You can see Jim talking about his book here.

One Word from Sophia really plays with words and hints at the power of words. It also shows many ways that information can be shared in an effort to persuade. Obviously, this makes it an excellent book to share when teaching about persuasion, persuasive writing, revision, or about advertising/marketing. The book is also a great romp to simply be enjoyed. Reading Through Life

The library which I visit each week employ a delightful idea. They add a small sticker to books that the library staff especially love - "Our Picks".  As a regular library user I really appreciate these stickers because the very special books that have a little "Our Picks" sticker are generally utter treasures. There are about 350 of them so I keep my eyes open when I am browsing hoping to spot one to borrow.

Good news there are two more books that feature feisty little Sophia - I love her!

Due for release in June 2020

I talked about Yasmeen Ismail in a previous post - Christmas for Greta and Gracie was my top Christmas book last year.

Yours sincerely, Giraffe by Megumi Iwasa illustrated by Jun Takabatake

How do I judge a book?

• The cover - yes this one is bright and appealing
• The author and illustrator - no I had never heard of these Japanese book creators but I do enjoy books that have been translated from other languages
• The publisher - YES! Gecko Press always select fabulous, intriguing and very different books

I also enjoy books with letters - especially where we can see the actual hand written letters as you can in Yours sincerely, Giraffe.

Dear You, Whoever you are,
Who lives on the other side of the horizon
I am Giraffe. I live in Africa. 
I'm famous for my long neck. 
Please tell me about yourself.

Yours sincerely
Giraffe.

There are three reasons for writing this letter.  Giraffe is lonely and would like a friend, Giraffe is bored and every day seems to be the same as the one before.  Giraffe sees a sign announcing a new mail service.  A Bored Pelican is offering his services (Fee : up to you) to deliver anything, anytime, anywhere.

Pelican flies off towards the horizon.  He eventually returns with a letter from Penguin.  Penguin has never heard of a neck.  He asks the only whale left at Whale Point, Professor Whale but the answer is far from satisfactory.  So the correspondence begins culminating in a visit by Giraffe over the ocean on a raft.  The meeting is joyous and surprising.

This little gem will make you smile.  Yours sincerely, Giraffe would be an excellent book to read aloud to a young class and there is so much to discuss such as perception of self and others, misinformation, asking the right questions and acceptance of difference.

This book reminded me of Run Hare, Run by John Winch because it explored the work of Albrecht Durer who is famous for his drawings of a rhinoceros which were based on a written description.

It’s hard to imagine someone you have never seen. Try it some time.