Kelly Collier – illustratör

A speedy squirrel and a sleepy sloth try to get the job done in this funny, heartwarming tale of two lovable, but unlikely, friends.

Though Sloth and Squirrel are good friends, they have different ways of doing things — and different speeds of doing them. So, when Squirrel gets them jobs as pickle packers to earn money for a new bike, things don’t go according to plan. It seems that the contrasting skill sets of a fast-as-lightening squirrel and a slow-as-molasses sloth can make for a mess of an outcome, and before long, the friends are shown the pickle factory’s door, along with the 677 1/2 jars of pickles they packed incorrectly! Now the pair are bicycle-less, with only pickles to show for themselves. Or so they think — until the resourceful pair come up with an ingenious plan!

This delightful story from Cathy Ballou Mealey is a celebration of friendships of all kinds and a testament to ingenuity and hard work. Packed with funny details that aren’t in the text, Kelly Collier’s engaging illustrations are full of personality and silly, emotionally expressive humor. Together they create a hilarious picture book that’s perfect for a fun and lively read-aloud. At the same time, the positive themes in the book highlight a growth mindset and character education lessons on teamwork, perseverance and initiative.

When a speedy squirrel and a slow-moving sloth discover they want different things from their vacation, things do not go smoothly, but solving problems together is what counts.

Finding a destination that best friends Sloth and Squirrel can agree on for their vacation is tough, until they learn that Paradise Park has “Something for Everyone!” Perfect! While Sloth happily lazes on the sand, Squirrel enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, paragliding, ziplining … until he starts to miss Sloth, and heads back to find him. Meanwhile, Sloth, finished with his nap, is missing Squirrel, and begins searching for him — in all the places Squirrel has just been! Will the friends ever have fun together?

Young readers will appreciate how the two lovable, mismatched friends always find a way to work things out. This endearing story makes a funny and engaging read-aloud, offering lessons on caring for others and being adaptable.

The first installment in a hilarious early graphic novel series, based on Kelly Collier’s popular picture book introducing the one and only (just ask him!) Steve the Horse.

Steve the Horse wants to be exceptional … you know, like a peacock! His friend Bob tries to reassure him that he’s special, but Bob can’t seem to think of anything exceptional about him. Steve is discouraged ... That is, until he finds a shiny gold horn in the forest. Obviously, somebody left this exceptional horn for him to find! He ties it to his head and prances off to show his friends. Who’s exceptional now? Steve, that’s who! Only, as Steve’s friends make clear, dressing up and showing off are not the answer.

Adapted from Kelly Collier’s much-loved picture book A Horse Named Steve, this early graphic novel will delight slightly older readers with its silly, laugh-out-loud story about self-esteem and what really makes someone special.

The second book in a graphic novel series about Steve, a pretty incredible horse (just ask him!).

Steve makes an intriguing discovery as he is munching leftover party cake in the picnic area. The thingamabob, as he has named it, is oval shaped and smooth. Hmm. It must be an egg! True, no one has ever seen a red egg before … but that must be because they’ve never seen a super rarethingamabob egg before! Now that Steve has identified it, he’d better take care of it until they find its parents. Steve knows a lot about caring for eggs. What could possibly go wrong?

Kids love how Steve is always so sure he knows best … until he doesn’t. He’s an irresistible, if misguided, hero whose silly antics keep readers laughing out loud!

In this early graphic novel from Kelly Collier’s much-loved series, Steve the horse is as pleased with himself as ever – even as he faces a new challenge: being a team player.

The annual spring “Race-a-thon” is approaching, and Steve can’t wait. He wins every year, and Steve loves winning! Sure, horses have physical advantages over other animals when it comes to running. But that just proves how exceptionally talented he is. So imagine Steve’s concern when he discovers this year’s race is going to be a relay, and that he’s been teamed up with turtle, duck and snail! He can’t possibly win now. Unless … he’s got it! He’ll coach his teammates! In fact, he’ll be the Best. Coach. Ever.

From Kelly Collier’s hilarious Steve the Horse early graphic-novel series, here’s a tale about sportsmanship that will have readers roaring with laughter. Nearly always wrong about everything in life, the full-of-himself Steve is one of those standout flawed characters with enormous appeal. The story takes some edge-of-your-seat turns as Steve learns the hard(ish) way that there’s more than one kind of winner in life. This book makes a great discussion-starter on how we think about failure and winning. It also teaches excellent character-education lessons on teamwork and inclusiveness.

From award-winning author Naseem Hrab, an uproariously funny and totally relatable tale of a monster who loves school, but hates the commute!

It’s eight o’clock, Bird tells Monster — time to walk to school. Monster stays in bed. It’s not school he’s resisting. He loves school! It’s the getting there he hates. And, today, Monster declares, he will not walk to school. Will Bird’s cajoling help? Nope. How about Bird’s reminder that the pancake breakfast is today? Hmm. Will there be pepperoni and pineapple on those pancakes? Erm … yes? With maple syrup on the side? Yes. Okay. Monster will drag himself out the door. But, no matter what, he will not walk to school!

Author Naseem Hrab’s hilarious story, told entirely in speech balloons, is sure to resonate with young children everywhere (and their grown-ups!). Who hasn’t had one of those days? With an absurdity and nuttiness reminiscent of Mo Willems, this book will keep readers laughing out loud, unable to resist Monster’s hilarious antics as he sticks to his promise! Kelly Collier’s playful illustrations perfectly capture the emotional state of Monster and of Bird’s growing exasperation. While books about going to school are perennial favorites, this one’s focus on simply getting there sets it apart from other picture books about school readiness. It’s just the right weekday morning story for children who are delaying their own walks to school … and looking for ways to make them more fun!

Head out into the wild in this hilarious addition to the beloved graphic novel series starring the irresistible and irrepressible Steve the Horse!

Steve has come up with just the thing to relieve his excruciating boredom: an expedition! He’s going to discover a new land! He’ll call it Steve-topia. Or, maybe, Steve-ville. If he leaves now, he can be back in time for dinner. Sure, his best friend Bob the raccoon has reason to be concerned, since Steve’s never been on an expedition before and hasn’t even packed supplies. But as anyone will tell you, Steve has an adventurous spirit – what more could he need?

Kelly Collier’s endearingly oblivious character Steve the Horse, together with his steadfast sidekick Bob, have kept children laughing out loud for years. The silly humor abounds in the fourth book of this popular graphic novel series, as Steve confidently strides into one (mis)adventure after another – pitch-perfect for early elementary–age children. And, as with every good story, this one offers readers lessons along with their entertainment, including character education lessons in patience, responsibility and caring, and life skill lessons on the importance of being prepared and staying safe, no matter how far you roam!

From the author of the Jasper John Dooley series comes a new lovable character: Isabel! The first title in this early chapter book series tells us why Isabel just has, has, has to get a dog!

Isabel and Zoë are favorite friends — most of the time. They have side-by-side cubbies at school. They never take off their friendship bracelets. And they make each other laugh like nobody else. But some of the time, Isabel isn’t Zoë’s favorite friend at all. Because some of the time, the fun things they do end in a no-fun way. Like how they’ve been sent to the principal’s office because of Isabel’s shenanigans with some kindergartners. Now Zoë is mad at Isabel, and Isabel is miserable. Isabel is trying everything to win her friend back. Will getting a new puppy help Isabel mend her friendship with Zoë?

In this first title of the chapter book series for emerging readers, author Caroline Adderson introduces the inimitable Isabel and how she came to have her lovable dog, Rollo. Short chapters, spot-on humor and engaging illustrations on every spread make this series a perfect pick for both independent reading and read-alouds. Highly entertaining and fun, it also showcases the personal growth and development of the main character, while touching on subjects of interest to elementary-age children: relationships with friends, the responsibilities of having pets and family situations of all kinds, including how Isabel, who lives with her single mother and a nanny, loves the story of her adoption (and its similarities to their adoption of the dog).

Isabel, Zoë and Rollo are back! But, this time, Isabel’s sweet little puppy is turning into a dog she can’t recognize. So, who’s in the doghouse now?

Isabel’s dog, Rollo — “the cutest, funniest puppy” ever — just doesn’t seem like himself these days. For starters, he doesn’t fit into any of her best friend Zoë’s doll clothes anymore when they try to play baby with him. But worse, he keeps doing things that get him into a very big amount of trouble. Like, even when both girls are holding his leash, he manages to jerk loose to chase a squirrel — then keeps running! And, when no one’s looking, he eats everyone’s ice cream, right off the table! Sure, Isabel bent the rules (or, um, had no rules?) for Rollo when he was a baby. But now he’s a teenager — and he’s out of control!! Is there a cure for this?

Caroline Adderson, author of the Jasper John Dooley series, where Isabel was introduced, has created another pitch-perfect early chapter book series starring a hilarious, irrepressible and lovable hero. The short chapters, loads of humor and hijinks and fun illustrations by Kelly Collier on almost every spread are just right for early readers. And the quirky details, well-drawn cast of characters and one-of-a-kind perspective are sure to leave them begging for more the next Izzy adventure. This title is sure to resonate with any child who has ever dealt with an unexpectedly challenging pet. With its focus on social-emotional growth and development, it will spark lively discussions about growing up and taking responsibility.