Kid *

By Peter Carnavas

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

‘There was once a small goat who lived on a farm, not far from a rugged mountain.’

A new story from Peter is always a cause for celebration and Kid does not disappoint. What a warm hug of a book! This tale of adventure and found family immediately immerses the reader in a richly imagined world where the animals take centre stage.

It is the world of the little goat Kid, and he is little, a miniature, ‘so even when fully grown he would hardly peek over a bale of straw.’ Ever since his parents chased away a fox and never returned , Kid has stayed with Audrey the hen in the chook yard. From her he hears inspiring stories of his parents’ daring and bravery and Kid longs to leave the farm and climb that rugged mountain where, maybe, he will find his lost family.

There are no humans at all here but the story is still animated with finely-drawn characters true to their animal nature but exhibiting recognizable universal traits including kindness, love, friendship, loyalty, and understanding as well as some not so admirable. Audrey is the very embodiment of unconditional maternal love while still being a fussy little hen. Harriet is a pig who loves to eat ‘she gobled her food with glee, smacking her lips and humming as she ate’ p17,  but that doesn’t get in the way of her being a staunch friend. These two join Kid on his adventure up the mountain and their interactions are priceless. Other memorable characters include Ma the fierce sheep dog who maintains the Law of the Farm.

Peter has lost none of his masterly skill with language writing in deceptively simple prose that has a rhythm of its own. In accessible short chapters he balances the action, (there is plenty of excitement) with descriptions of nature, (butterfies erupting from a bush, birds circling overhead, a storm, the wind in the trees), and Kid’s inner reflections,  creating an idyllic world without humans. Nevertheless this book is all about us humans, our need for belonging and family, our quest for adventure, our hopes and dreams for when we grow up, our struggles to overcome conflict and disappointment. Somehow Peter manages to include all this in the beguiling story of a little goat’s trip up a neighbouring mountain.

And the illustrations! Each of the 50 chapters has a hand-drawn illustration highlighting a particular moment or expressing an emotion that extend the text, helping a young reader and delighting the eye. The drawings are like Peter’s writing – pithy, evocative, emotive.

For those who enjoyed Babe:The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith and Charlotte’s Web by E B White, here is our own Australian classic.

Teacher’s Notes

UQP 2026

Peter Carnavas

*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit.