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The Legend of KevinA Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure

by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

Interest age: 7 to 10
Reading age: 7+

Published by Oxford University Press, 2018

  • Adventure
  • Chapter books
  • Fantasy
  • Funny

About this book

Kevin, a small, plump flying pony, is a creature of few words, with a penchant for biscuits, particularly custard creams. One stormy night, he is blown out of his nest in the wild, wet hills of the Outermost West and tossed through the turbulent skies, eventually crash-landing on Max’s balcony. Max is a kind and thoughtful boy, who has always wanted a pet, so he invites Kevin inside to recover from his ordeal.

As the storm rages on, the town of Bumbleford floods, and neighbours take refuge in Max’s top floor flat. Realising they are running low on food, Max and Kevin fly to the supermarket, which is now entirely underwater, and Max swims down amid the mermaids and sea monsters to collect supplies. When they fly home, they see people stranded on rooftops, so the brave friends embark on a rescue mission. However, their efforts are hampered by the mischievous Sea Monkeys, who have swept in from the Outermost Sea.

Magical mayhem, friendship and a brilliant cast of characters combine in this fabulously funny tale. With short chapters and comical black-and-blue illustrations, this is the first title in a hilarious series for newly confident independent readers.

About the author

Philip Reeve was born and raised in Brighton, where he wrote his first story at the tender age of five about a spaceman called Spike and his dog Spook. He is a talented illustrator and writer, and he has illustrated several titles in the Horrible Histories series. Philip is best known for his multi award-winning Mortal Engines quartet, which won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award, and the Guardian Children's Book Award. Philip has also won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal with Here Lies Arthur.

About the author

Illustrator and writer Sarah McIntyre is easy to spot in her pointy glasses and hats. Her books include the comic Vern and Lettuce, four books with Philip Reeve, including Pugs of the Frozen North and Jinks & O'Hare Funfair Repair, and her picture books include There's a Shark in the Bath and Dinosaur Police. She loves creating books and comics with friends and getting inspired by batting around ideas and drawings with them.

Sarah is immensely proud of Britain's amazing illustrators and how well their pictures tell stories. In 2015, she set up the #PicturesMeanBusiness campaign, calling for people to credit illustrators for their work.

Sarah was our Writer in Residence from February to August 2017. 

You can follow Sarah on Twitter @jabberworks.

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