Stephen Michael King is one of my favourite Australian author/illustrators, who tells gentle stories of diverse characters who are usually outcasts and misfits finding a place or people to identify with. Friendships and families feature heavily, with an awareness of differences between characters often emphasised, and those differences being accepted by others. His writing has an overarching theme of acceptance, and his illustrations of people include a wide variety of skin and hair colour, jewellery, tattoos, and clothing choices.
The following reviews are for books written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King, and have been chosen to reflect diversity.
The Man Who Loved Boxes is King’s first book, and tells us of a father who finds it difficult to express his emotions. He loves his son, and he loves boxes, and he uses his love of boxes to express his love for his son. The text is very simple, with large illustrations, making this book suitable for a younger audience. There are now a few children’s books about children who struggle to express emotions, this is an important reminder for adults and children alike, that adults can have these difficulties too.
A beautiful physical theatre production of O Homem que amava caixas / The Man who Loved Boxes was created by Artesanal Cia. de Teatro in 2011.
Scholastic Australia, first edition printed in 1996
21st anniversary edition printed 2016
Australian Association of Family Therapy Award – Winner 1996
Crichton Award – Shortlist 1996
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge K-2 list
Snail and Turtle are Friends is a sweet book about two friends who are slow and quiet, but quite different from each other. They enjoy different things, and like doing things together, even if they do those things differently. The simple text and clear illustrations with lots of white space make this book perfect for toddlers.
Scholastic Australia, 2014
CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood – Shortlist 2015
Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year (0-3) – Winner 2015
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge K-2 list
Snail and Turtle : Rainy Days is the second book about two friends who are different, and this story is about being there for people. Snail is sad, and remains in his shell. Turtle tries many ways to cheer him up, but gives him the time and space he needs, and mostly just lets Snail know that he is there for him. This book would be an excellent resource for explaining depression and grief to young children, with a clear message that just being there for someone helps.
Scholastic Australia, 2016
CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood – Notable Book 2017
Henry and Amy (right-way-round and upside down) is a story about best friends who are complete opposites. Amy does everything perfectly, and Henry doesn’t seem able to anything right, and each helps the other to learn and together create something they are both proud of. They inspire each other to explore their own differences and to see that perfect isn’t always best. A wonderful picture book for young children who are exploring friendships, this book is perfect for ages 4-7.
Scholastic Australia, 1998
CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Shortlist 1998
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge K-2 list
Never Ever Before is a more abstract story of differences and acceptance, with Smalls, Talls and Big living together. It is a wonderful story to illustrate teamwork, and how working together can achieve more. Big is solid and dependable, Talls are flexible, and Smalls are light and carefree. Suitable for a young audience.
Scholastic Australia, 2009
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge K-2 list
Mutt Dog highlights homelessness, told from the perspective of a stray dog. Illustrations include people sleeping on benches and in cardboard boxes, and eating at a half-way house. Like all of Stephen Michael King’s books, Mutt Dog has a happy ending, with the stray finding a home out of the city, with a family who loves him. A gentle look at homelessness and poverty, this book is great for conversations with young children aged 3-7.
Scholastic Australia, 2004
YABBA Picture Story Book – Winner 2005
KOALA Picture Book of the Year – Cool Award 2005
CBCA Book of the Year: Early Chilhood – Honour Book 2005
CBCA Picture Book of the Year–Shortlist 2005
KIND (National Association for Humane and Environmental Education) – Children’s Honour Book 2006
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge K-2 list
Three is Stephen Michael King’s latest book, featuring a homeless, three-legged dog. It is a light, playful story about acceptance and ability, with Three grateful for the legs he has, and that they carry him where he needs to go. A good way to introduce the concept that people or animals who have different abilities are not less in any way, this book is suitable for children aged 3-10 years.
Scholastic Australia, 2019
