“Well, yeah. I’m right…and they are…wrong.”
Kevin felt something in his chameleon gut. It all felt untrue.
Lily just kept eating.
“OK, maybe they’re not completely at fault. Maybe I get hot-headed and too passionate.”
Lily continued to look into his eyes, listening to him.
There was no judgment, anger or fear in her eyes. She was listening to him, completely.
*From my next book, Kevin the Complainer
“Yeah! And I was just playing and being good, you know? That’s what makes it fun! They’re just mad because I was winning.” Kevin was burning with indignation.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah! And now they’re ignoring me. I bet they want me to apologize. But I won’t. I refuse. It’s a matter of principle.”
“Is that so?” Lily continued to eat her lunch.
“Yes! I am right. They are wrong. Period!” Kevin fumed.
“Hm. Is that so?” Lily popped a flower bud in her mouth.
Kevin stopped and looked at Lily.
*of my next book, Kevin the Complainer
The next day, Kevin was hoping Minji and Carlos would pretend yesterday never happened. But when he asked if they would play Kick and Cover at recess, they made excuses and said no.
They had never said “no” before.
*Book-in-progress, Kevin the Complainer
“Well, then I QUIT!” Kevin stormed off.
It was awkward at lunch. The three always ate lunch together.
Minji and Carlos were eating their lunch and Kevin had to sit by himself.
He was sorry, but couldn’t bring himself to go and apologize.
So he ate his cricket sandwich with jackfruit jelly and felt sorry for himself.
*From my next book, Kevin the Complainer
Here is my recipe for delicious smoothies:
1 cup of vanilla yogurt (Greek style is best)
1 cup of berries (your fave: strawberries, mixed berries, blueberries, etc.)
1 cup of crushed ice
1/2 cup of orange juice (optional, it makes it sweeter and less thick)
Blend it and serve immediately.
At last! Recess.
Minji kicked the ball and ran for cover. Carlos got the ball and kicked it toward Kevin. But Kevin couldn’t catch the ball, which meant he was “out.”
“Let’s start over! That was unfair!” Kevin cried out.
Minji and Carlos shot each other a look.
“You know very well everything was fair, Kevin.” Minji took the ball to continue the game.
“Yeah, you’re out,” Carlos added.
“Oh yeah?” Kevin asked.
“Yes,” The other two replied.
*My book-in-progress (Kevin the Complainer)
When I asked the 16-year-old daughter what she thought of this illustration, she said:
“It looks like the two cats are going to eat the chameleon.”
Kismet 