Chris McKimmie

I really enjoyed reading this book about two childhood best friends who have to deal with separation from one another. The first reason I liked this book is because of the engaging and authentic illustrations. The book is written through the perspective of Marvin, a young boy who is best friends with a girl named Violet and has to figure out how to deal with her moving away. The illustrations are somewhat busy and colorful, but they all look like a young child drew them, which adds authenticity to the story. On some pages, the text is written in the illustrations in child-like handwriting. The cover illustration really engaged me because the title was written in somewhat sloppy handwriting and it showed an imaginative scene of two faces in a pea pod in the sky, with a chicken and a flower below it. Another reason I enjoyed reading this book is because of the multicultural aspect of language that the author incorporated. For example, some typical British words that were used in the text were “mum” and “chook.” This book gives readers a different perspective on how the English language can vary across subgroups and exposes them to a few aspects of the British culture. The big idea of this story is that distance doesn’t mean much when you and your friend have a strong bond. Friendship can overcome many boundaries, distance included.… (more)

Bee is getting her pets organised for when she is on holidays. We learn that Bee has gone to an island that has bush turkeys, crabs and ocean animals. While on holidays Bee can relax, eat and swim. The text uses many different fonts. It is a story that need to read serveral times to understand all the links.

The unique child like style of Chris McKimmie, who has also incorporated illustration both child and adult family members.
McKimmie uses: collage, acrylic paint, watercolours, coloured pencil, ink and pencil.… (more)