Kevin Saves the Show

By Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott

Reviewed by Margarite Igras

Prolific Australian author Jacqueline Harvey is known for her numerous works such as the Willa and Woof, Kensy and Max, Alice-Miranda, and Clementine Rose series. As a teacher she often wrote poems and stories for her students, to possibly inspire them just as she was inspired as a junior student.

This is the sequel to delightfully humorous Kevin the Sheep, where the reader was introduced to an unusual and different sheep in the flock. In Kevin Saves the Show, we have a package of funny story, laughing rhymes, glorious illustrations by Jacqueline’s former student Kate Isobel Scott, and a crazy gang of farm animals that will appeal to those aged 3+ and even the adult reader.

Kevin the Sheep hosts a karaoke song competition. The entries flock in, there are thirty performers, Including a donkey wearing leg warmers. First to perform is Wanda, the crook sounding bantam chook, followed by the beautifully dressed Dolly the Pig and Gary the goat with his cool moves. But last on the bill with a spine-tingling perfect song is a new kid in the flock.  Who is this supposed sheep with dark eyes, sharp claws and wolf-like teeth who has been announced the winner? Spoiler alert, there is a twist to the ending; Wolfie and Kevin end up being new mates.

The illustrations are colourful, friendly and reveal a collection of very expressive animals, from the striking accessories they wear, the artistic details of clothing, to those animated  facial expressions. The outrageous rhyming text will delight. Gary the goat has some very cool moves. Let’s hope with more practice his singing improves. And the twist in the ending will be unexpected, but a joyful relief.

An entertaining story, that begs to be read aloud again and again. I can’t imagine the text without Scott’s illustrations.

Puffin 2024

Jacqueline Harvey

Kate Isobel Scott