Posts Tagged with being yourself

Kevin the Orange Blog Tour

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Written by Alan Windram and illustrated by Olla Meyzinger

Thanks so much to publisher Little Door Books for inviting me to review another vibrant, fun, engaging and colourful picture book.
Kevin the Orange is not sure at the start of the story that he wants to be orange so he asks his friend Brian the pear how he can be different colours. Every time he changes to a different colour things don’t quite go to plan and he keeps thinking the next colour will be better. Finally he realises that perhaps being himself, the colour of orange is the best of all. 
A big shout out for illustrator Olla Meyzinger who has done an amazing job with the pictures. They are vibrant and colourful and the expressions and feelings of Kevin and Brian are wonderfully captured on each page. There is also some great detail in the background that helps to set the scene.
I have picked up several picture books recently where a fruit or vegetable is the main character in the story, which offer up some humorous and different perspectives from which to tell a narrative There was something about Olla Meyzinger’s illustrations that I particularly identified with. Then I realised they reminded me of the Garden Gang by Jayne Fisher. I absolutely loved her books as a kid. The premise of the Kevin the Orange is a bit different but there are similarities in the messages of finding out who you are and self acceptance.
Kevin the Orange is a fun, engaging story that will appeal to EYFS and KS1. But, there is also plenty to interest older children and adults. There are many ways a young child could relate to or join in with this story, so it would make a great book to read aloud to encourage a love of stories and books and reading for pleasure. There are also a number of links and possible activities related to this story. It introduces children to colours. Kevin changes colour 6 times (blue, red, yellow, green, pink, purple and white). It also explored hot and cold. Kevin travels to the North Pole to get very cold and eats lots of chilli’s to turn red! A fun, engaging story to read aloud, which also explores themes of friendship, identity and self acceptance.

Dare by Lorna Gutierrez and Polly Noakes

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Published by Tiny Owl Books.

 

Dare is one of those children’s stories, that even as an adult makes me smile every time I pick it up. Younger children will love the simple fun and inspiring poem by Loran Gutierrez, and noticing all the things the children from diverse backgrounds do. Older readers and adults will also pick up on the many positive messages about: being yourself, reaching out to others, standing up for what you believe in and daring to be you.

The illustrator Polly Noakes brings the story to life with her unique illustration style. I am already a big fan of the illustrator, but am more familiar with here drawing animals rather than people. Polly draws a wonderful group of diverse children that appear in the story doing all sorts of things, some of which challenge gender stereotypes. Such as a girl aspiring to be an astronaut and, a boy dressing up in a skirt. The girl anspiring to be an astronaut especially resonated with my daughter, as when she was younger she got very frustrated when all she saw in books about space (including some non-fiction books) were ones with boys or men

The core messages of this story will appeal to children and adults of all ages. It is a fun story to read aloud which also has important messages about: taking part, reaching out and, being yourself. It also invite’s the reader to appreciate quite times, and encourages children to be comfortable with their own company. Both of which are really important for fostering well-being, in a world often full of business and noise.

A fun, playful, heart-warming and empowering story that, I would highly recommend for every school and home library.

Here is the second half of the poem:

“Dare to be your own best friend
Dare to enjoy a silent night
Dare to be a shining light,
Dare to be who you truly are
A light in the dark
Be you a star”

Thank you to the publishers Tiny Owl for a review copy of this book. On their website they have a free International Womens’ Day poster to download. 

You can buy from me at Readers that Care or your local bookshop.