Philip ReeveKevin's Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure (Max and Kevin)

Philip Reeve with wonderful illustrations by Sarah McIntyre produce the second book in their Kevin, the flying pony series. One again we see Kevin having an exciting adventure whilst trying to find a local supply of custard creams. These stories combine humour, humour and humour with a family adventure with great characters and fun plots. I won't spoil the ride by trying to summarise the plot here, but suffice to say Kevin is in peril and has to be rescued by Max and the gang...great fun ensues. Snappy dialogue; fun jokes and great pictures make this an easy and entertaining read from the master storyteller for older children.

My boys (9 and 7) loved this book, and I love any book that makes them want to carry on reading it themselves after I've said it's time to stop. So much fun, lovely pictures, and absolutely full of charm.

My daughter loves these books. Finds them very funny and devoured them in one sitting.

My children and I love this series, great follow up to the first book. Neville and Beyoncé make another appearance, what more could you ask for!!!!!

It was for my granddaughter. She likes it.

Bought this for my 7yr old grandson and he loves it!

This book has great artwork and looks aesthetically pleasing. It has silver gilt edges for the pages, a solid hardcover with a glittery silver flying pony on it, and cute artwork in the book too from front to back and back to front again. Lots of little details have gone into the artwork that show that more than the bare minimum went into them. For example the characters are climbing a staircase in a dark corridor in one scene and a monster is placed under the stair, an extra detail as he plays no part in the story, then later they descend the staircase and he is still there, both scenes depicting him in his everyday monster life doing everyday monster things. Also I like the mermaid character and how she resembles the artist somewhat with her pointy spectacles. So this is definitely a stylish book but is it style over substance?The story tells the tale of Kevin, a roly-poly flying pony, and is the second book in the series. No knowledge of the first is required as there is an excellent recap chapter introducing the main characters and their situation. Kevin lives with Max in a block of flats. Kevin has a nest on the top and Max lives with his family just below. That includes his sister Daisy who is super excited. That's because her favourite pop star is moving to their locale. "Spooky pop sensation Misty Twiglet has bought Gloomsbury Grange near Bumbleford.... The house will be Misty's country retreat when she isn't busy recording albums or playing concerts in packed stadiums."But there are problems - Misty's manager Baz Gumption wants Kevin to live with him and Misty. "Misty's new place has a HUGE garden - acres of land - and she's asked me to find some interesting animals to live in it. And what could be more interesting than a real, live, flying pony?" Kevin and family of course refuse, but Daisy wants to meet her favourite pop star and is tricked into signing Kevin over to Misty and his manager. And Kevin isn't the only one as there's a whole menagerie of strange creatures there, all from the wild, wet hills of the Outermost West, just like Kevin." Baz Gumption and that pop star tricked us into coming here, and now we can't escape."The plot perhaps is a bit simple but it is the imaginative things happening (flying pony who eats biscuits) and the gentle comedy that are the driving forces. And the book certainly looks the part. So kids should like.

Kids loved. Waiting for the next adventure

My daughter and I love everything this author/illustrator dynamic duo put out! Buy ALL of their books. Every one of them is great!