Peggy Collins – illustratör

It's Afghan schoolgirl Aria's first day back at school since her accident. She's excited, but she's also worried about sitting on the hard floor all day with her new prosthetic "helper-leg." Just as Aria feared, sitting on the floor is so uncomfortable that she can't think about learning at all. She knows that before the war changed many things in Afghanistan, schools like hers had benches for students to sit at. If she had a bench, her leg would not hurt so much. The answer is obvious: she will gather materials, talk to Kaka Najar, the carpenter in the old city, and learn to build a bench for herself.In A Sky-Blue Bench, Bahram Rahman, author of The Library Bus, returns again to the setting of his homeland, Afghanistan, to reveal the resilience and resolve of young children—especially young girls—who face barriers to education. Illustrator Peggy Collins imbues Aria with an infectious spunkiness and grit that make her relatable even to readers with a very different school experience. An author's note gently introduces an age-appropriate discussion of landmines and their impact on the lives of children in many nations, especially Afghanistan, which has the highest concentration of landmines of any country in the world.Don't miss The Library Bus, also by Bahram RahmanWinner of the Middle East Book AwardFinalist for the Governor General's Literary AwardFinalist for the Florida Literary Association Children's Book AwardFinalist for the OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce AwardWinner of the Northern Lights Book Award: Multicultural Category

Daniel is preparing a special gift for his new baby sister, but will it be ready by the time they go to the adoption centre?To show baby Angela how much she is loved by her new family, Daniel wants to whistle for her like the songbirds he loves so much. But will she smile for him? When they arrive at the adoption center and Daniel still hasn’t got the knack of whistling, it’s Jessie, Angela’s birthmother, who knows just what to do.Whistling for Angela celebrates the familial bonds formed through the act of adoption. Illustrator Peggy Collins’ heartwarming close-ups of the families’ loving interactions create an intimate atmosphere throughout all the emotions of the day. In her author’s note Robin Heald shares the inspiration for the story, which came directly from her own experiences with adoption. She also explores the increasingly common practice of building connections between all three sides of the adoption triangle: the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family.

When Percy finds himself in a kindergarten classroom full of unfamiliar children, he can’t help but feel uncomfortable and alone—that is, until he meets a cuddly new friend: a plush cat he names Miss Petticomb.When Percy’s new friend is picked up by other children, Percy cautiously sets out to find her. On his journey to retrieve Miss Petticomb, Percy must decide whether it is better to share his friend with his classmates or keep her all to himself. A plush cat, a tea party, and the uniting power of toys may be the secret to saving Miss Petticomb and bringing Percy out of his shell.In Percy’s Perfect Friend, early childhood educator Lana Button celebrates the importance of toys in play, the power they have to help children practice social skills, language skills, and imagination, and their ability to bring children together. ALA Schneider Honor Book Winner Peggy Collins captures Percy’s growth from uncertainty to confidence on his quest to save Miss Petticomb. He may just be surprised at the new friends he makes along the way.

Make-believe + melodrama = comedy as one dramatic little girl learns the new skill of finding a friendLeah is looking for a friend to play fairies. But when her invitation fails to sway her classmates, Leah is left all…ALONE.Poor Lonely Leah! Will she always be the only one standing alone in line? The only one reading fairy tales in the book corner? The AGONY of her SUFFERING is so overpowering that she almost misses the quiet voice trying to get her attention…From the creators of Percy’s Perfect Friend comes an entertaining new journey into social-emotional growth. Author Lana Button is an early childhood educator who has seen firsthand the struggles many kids experience learning to navigate social situations and conflict—especially if pandemic lockdowns were part of their early lives. In The Only Lonely Fairy, she tells a relatable story of someone trying to make friends and missing the mark, while Peggy Collins brings lively humor to the illustrations, letting readers know what Leah doesn’t yet: that she isn’t alone after all.

The Biltmore in New York City is full of mysteries, and Elodie LaRue, a novice detective, plans to piece together the clues and solve the case of the missing jewels.Left behind by her globe-trotting detective parents once again, Elodie decides to prove she’s worthy of joining them on a case by setting up her own detective agency at her renowned Upper West Side home, The Biltmore.When a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings mysteriously disappear from Mrs. Vanderhoff’s apartment, Elodie is asked to solve the case. Elodie begins her investigation the way any good detective would, looking for clues and potential suspects. With twists, turns, and suspects galore, will Elodie be able to prove she has what it takes to solve a crime? Or will the LaRue Detective Agency fail on its first case? As Elodie, her dog Carnegie, and new friend Oscar (a self-proclaimed parkour master) delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter a quirky cast of characters, an array of clues, and a little bit of fun.Colored vignettes by award-winning artist, Peggy Collins, are scattered throughout the story, bringing additional humor to the cast of quirky characters.From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.

The LaRue Detective Agency has gained a reputation at The Biltmore as the investigators to call, so it’s no surprise when they are asked to solve the catnapping case. What is a surprise: being asked to keep this investigation top secret! Will the LaRue detective agency have what it takes to solve this challenging case?A murder mystery movie is being filmed in the courtyard of the Biltmore, starring a celebrity building resident, Bijou, the fluffy white cat famous for inheriting the entire fortune of a popular designer—including his Biltmore apartment. But when filming is paused for the day, Tiya, the daughter of Bijou’s nanny, reports that the famous feline was catnapped! The LaRue detective agency is hired...but there is just one catch, the investigation must remain top secret. How can Elodie question suspects when she can’t admit Bijou is missing? This investigation will require new tactics, a keen eye, and help from her friends!Colored illustrations by award-winning artist, Peggy Collins, are scattered throughout the story, bringing additional humor to the cast of quirky characters.From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.

With a 100% success rate, it is no wonder The LaRue Detective Agency has become the investigators to call at The Biltmore. But could the recipe robbery become Elodie’s own recipe for disaster?  Biltmore resident, Chef Sebastian, plans to open a new pastry shop where he will unveil his mouthwatering masterpiece—the cruffin (part muffin, part croissant, entirely delicious). That is until all of Chef’s recipes are stolen from his apartment. With a 100% success rate, it is no wonder The LaRue Detective Agency is hired to solve the recipe robbery, but when the mystery appears as layered as a French croissant—one may wonder: is a mystery this complicated worth risking a perfect reputation? Full-color illustrations by award-winning artist Peggy Collins are scattered throughout the story, bringing additional humor to the cast of quirky characters and enhancing the reading experience for new independent readers.  From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore #3: A Recipe for Robbery. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.

A high-profile art theft grabs the attention of the famed Mr. and Mrs. LaRue, but this time they have a sidekick...Elodie herself! Can Elodie measure up in the high-profile world of art crime, or will she struggle to see the big picture. Biltmore residents Mr. and Mrs. Farouk have spent millions renovating their apartment and now it’s finally ready for their feature in the New York Times Style Magazine. But when they discover the centerpiece of the apartment–their new $7 million Jackson Pollock painting–is a fake, what are they to do? With the Farouk’s desperate for the help of a LaRue, Elodie and Co. take on the case. Can the LaRue Detective Agency foil the forger in time for the magazine shoot? Or will Elodie’s self-doubt overshadow them all? Full-color illustrations throughout by award-winning artist Peggy Collins bring additional humor to the cast of quirky characters and enhancing the reading experience for new independent readers.   From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore #3: A Recipe for Robbery. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.

York City is still full of mysteries! Elodie LaRue, a novice detective, plans to piece together the clues and solve the case of the missing jewels. Don’t miss your chance to get a copy of this fabulous novel praised by Kirkus Reviews as “[a]n entertaining blend of quirky characters and locked-room puzzle.” When her globe-trotting detective parents are pulled away during summer vacation, Elodie decides to prove she’s worthy of joining them on a case by setting up her own detective agency at her home in the famous apartment building, The Biltmore. When a pair of sapphire earrings mysteriously disappear from Mrs. Vanderzoot’s apartment, Elodie is asked to solve the case. Elodie begins her investigation the way any good detective would, looking for clues and potential suspects. With twists, turns, and suspects galore, will Elodie be able to prove she has what it takes to solve a crime? Or will the LaRue Detective Agency fail on its first case? As Elodie, her dog Carnegie, and new friend Oscar (a self-proclaimed parkour master) delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter a quirky cast of characters, an array of clues, and a little bit of fun. Colored illustrations by award-winning artist, Peggy Collins, are scattered throughout the story, bringing additional humor to the cast of quirky characters.  From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.

Elodie and Oscar are back with an all-new heart-stopping case, but this time, they get a little extra help from the pros! When an ancient artifact goes missing during a party at The Biltmore, fingers are pointed in all directions. Luckily, Elodie, Oscar, and Carnegie are on the case, and so are Elodie’s parents! Finally, she’ll be able to prove she has what it takes to join the famous LaRue Art Crime Detective Agency. But with a room full of suspects and a mystery as complicated as one of Oscar’s puzzle boxes, this might be her toughest case yet. Full-color illustrations throughout by award-winning artist Peggy Collins bring additional humor to the cast of quirky characters and enhancing the reading experience for new independent readers. From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore #5: The Stolen Statue. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.