ReaditDaddy's Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 22nd September 2017: Kevin by Rob Biddulph (HarperCollins Children's Books)

I'm pretty sure just about every book blogger out there is going to kick off their review of our Picture Book of the week this week with "We need to talk about Kevin..."
We do indeed need to talk about this fantastic new book from Rob Biddulph, where the subject of imaginary friends is given a whole new twist.

First though, we need to talk about Sid. Sid Gibbons, no less, and his mum - who are the two characters who kick off this amazing little story.

Sid has an imaginary friend who is the colour of battenburg cake (though spotty, not squarey).

Sid's imaginary friend is named Kevin, and he is usually to blame when Sid's dinner ends up on the floor, or someone scribbles all over the walls.

One night, after being sent to bed (again) Sid realises there's a distinctly weird glow coming from the loft hatch. He makes his way up there, and finds that Kevin is real - and battenburg-hued beamingly smiley Kevin's amazing multicoloured world is real too...!

Big ones, small ones, some as big as yer 'ed! Monsters, of course, not coconuts.

Kevin's world is inhabited by tons of very strange monsters in all shapes and sizes. But Sid realises something's wrong. In this world SID is the imaginary monster, and everyone else is real! We loved that twist.

Sid realises that being invisible and being a bit naughty adds up to one thing: mischief! So he begins to create havoc, just as Kevin has in his world (or at least in his imagination). But Sid's actions have dire consequences for poor Kevin, whose parents are definitely NOT amused.

Poor Kevin. Not so much fun having a naughty imaginary invisible friend is it?

Sid realises what a meanie he's been, and begins to try and put things right. But what will Kevin think (and do) when things return to normal?

This is a lovely little book. Rob has steadily put his stamp on the picture book world, with each of his books ramping up the charm and ending up more amazing than the last.

A surefire hit, and sure to be talked about by little ones who will fall completely in love with Kevin.

Charlotte's best bit: When Sid fiendishly realises just how cool (and how naughty you can be) it is when you're invisible.

Daddy's favourite bit: A great twist on the imaginary friends story, brilliantly told and illustrated. Rob is beginning to take up permanent residence in our Book of the Week slot!

(kindly supplied for review).

"Kevin" by Rob Biddulph is out now, published by HarperCollins Children's Books.