A Horse Named Steve

by Kelly Collier

Overview

“Steve is a fine horse. But he thinks he could be finer. He wants to be EXCEPTIONAL.” When Steve finds a gold horn in the forest and attaches it to his head, ta-da! Exceptional! His friends are so impressed, they, too, attach objects to their own heads, in an effort to be as exceptional as Steve. So when Steve suddenly realizes his horn has gone missing, he’s devastated! He won’t be exceptional without his horn! Or will he? A laugh-out-loud tale of an endearingly self-absorbed horse who learns that there’s more than one way to blow your own horn!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771388849
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	04/04/2017
Series:	Steve the Horse Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

First-time author-illustrator Kelly Collier was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. Kelly studied illustration in college and has had lots of editorial work published, but has always wanted to create a children's book. Kelly married a fellow artist who doesn't complain when her projects take over the entire house, she has a dog who sort of resembles Steve and she really loves gold.

First-time author-illustrator Kelly Collier was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. Kelly studied illustration in college and has had lots of editorial work published, but has always wanted to create a children's book. Kelly married a fellow artist who doesn't complain when her projects take over the entire house, she has a dog who sort of resembles Steve and she really loves gold.

Editorial Reviews

Tonally and structurally, the book is reminiscent of the works of Mélanie Watt ...—Quill & Quire

... this tale of hubris and self-expression will have both parents and children rolling with laughter.—Booklist

Steve's larger-than-life antics and slapstick foibles will put him right at home alongside other iconic and beloved children's book characters.—The Globe and Mail

... a high speed, tightly woven read ...—CM Magazine

From the Publisher

2017-01-17
To be different is to be a standout in this confusing little story.A smiling equine named Steve yearns for greatness—maybe even a ribbon. Fortunately, he encounters a "beautiful gold horn" lying on the ground, claps his hooves, affixes said horn to his head, and races off to brag to the forest critters. Unfortunately, the gold horn does not stay in place and falls to his chin, unseen. This is a calamity, and Steve expends much energy and emotion in his search for it, finally finding it in a pond as he stares at himself. Despite much splashing about, the horn is not retrievable, and meanwhile the other animals have one-upped him by strapping objects to their own heads. Not to worry, though. Steve decides he is still "exceptionally different!" because they all have headpieces and he does not. Collier varies her use of typefaces and sizes and adds some comic-book panels, authorial asides, and occasional definitions to the telling. When Steve announces his intention to be "exceptional," Collier adds "that means special" with an arrow pointing to the original word. The artwork is digitized ink and watercolor on white backgrounds. Steve is depicted comically with long straight legs and a long neck. Team spirit and individual achievement are certainly lacking in this attempt to explore what makes a horse (or a child) special. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews