TALES FROM KENSINGTON FOREST

Written by Kevin Scott Collier
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published Fall 2005 by Guardian Angel Publishing

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TOPSY TURVY LAND

Written by Donna J. Shepherd
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published Summer 2005 by Hidden Picture Books Publishing

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IF YOU'RE GONNA BE A MONSTER

Written by Mrs. Mouse
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published Summer 2005 by Writers Exchange E-Publishing

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"Mrs. Mouse has sibling rivalry by the throat in this Halloween tale about two brothers. Young Bobby desperately needs help with his Halloween costume, but big brother Leo wants no part of it. Then, seeing a chance to make Bobby look like a fool in front of his friends, Leo pretends to help his brother design a scary costume. However, Monsters stick together, and the plan backfires. Bobby has the best Halloween ever, and Leo learns a lesson in Monster ethics. The "eyes" have it in Kevin Scott Collier's vivid illustrations. His artwork perfectly captures the age-old dynamics between sibs. Great fun!"

ESTHER'S CHANNEL

Written by Kevin Scott Collier
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published July 2005 by Baker Trittin Press

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"Kevin Scott Collier does it again in “Esther’s Channel,” the story of a little painted turtle named Esther, who lives in a channel close to the lake. When a young turtle, Esther had ventured out into the channel farther than she was supposed to, exploring a sunken boat. Soon Esther got too close to the dam and the strong current began carrying her away. Gack, a red-winged blackbird, swooped down just in time to save Esther’s life. Esther’s mom also tried to save her, but was swept away and killed on the rocks. Mr. Berig, a blue heron, had also been present that day, but too afraid to help save Esther’s mom. Now Esther is sad and embittered, both at herself for disobeying and at Mr. Berig for failing to save her mom’s life. One day, Esther swims out into the lake in search of herself and, with the help of many animal friends, finds forgiveness instead.

A book for all ages, “Esther’s Channel” demonstrates the principle of forgiveness in a fun and entertaining way, while demonstrating that things are not always as they seem. “Esther’s Channel” is highly recommended. Four stars!"

"The story is based on the creatures that lived in the channel running between the Lake Michigan shoreline and Silver Lake in Mears, Michigan. It is told from the viewpoint of more than a dozen common animals living in this channel. Collier indicates in the introduction, that it is in reality a book about different human behaviors that either unite or divide us.

Esther, a very bitter turtle, is traveling down the channel because she was bored with her part of it. The story details her encounters with other critters such as the red-winged blackbird that wakes her up every morning. She is bitter because of having lost her mother early in life.

Your young people will enjoy reading this story, enjoying the critters that star in it, and ultimately, learning the great secret Esther learns about her mother’s last day. They’ll see many Christian character traits illustrated through the critters’ behavior."

"Life is made up different types of people. Each person has a unique personality. Our differences makes our lives colorful, exciting and wonderful. Yes, sometimes people get on our nerves. Or we might have prejudices against others based on misconceptions or assumptions. Esther’s Channel, by Kevin Scott Collier does a wonderful job of portraying ones uniqueness.

Esther the main character is on a journey to self discovery. Before she could find herself she needed to face her past and resolve the issues that were hindering her. How similar this is to life. All too often individuals chicken out before they face the truth about themselves and their past.

Kevin Scott Collier weaves a delightful tale demonstrating how forgiveness opens one up to experience love and friendship. Esther’s channel is entertaining, gripping and it will help teens to see that though they may be different from others coexistence and friendship is possible."

"Esther is a young painted turtle who lives in the channel near Shelby, Michigan. Esther has begun snooping into her neighbor’s homes when they are not there, and now she thinks she has made a lot of enemies. So in spite of advice from a bossy blackbird, Esther takes off to find herself. She leaves the safety of the channel and goes to a nearby lake.

There, Esther meets a variety of water animals like Bull Beckett the bullhead who trusts nobody, Bosco the frog who makes fun of her mistakes, Doodles the snail who passes on wise advice, and many others. She tells the animals she meets that she is in search of herself, and they all advise her to go back to the safety of her home. Will Esther ever listen?

Esther’s Channel is a very cute little fable written for tweeners from eight- to twelve-years-old. It has beautifully illustrated pictures in it and even held my attention. Esther seems a bit more angry than I appreciated, making snide remarks to her friends, but on the other hand, she was kind to those who were not kind to her and went out of her way to help them. I hoped that Esther would grow up and listen to advice even if she didn’t want to hear it.

The faith message is expertly woven in and is not preachy. Tweeners will enjoy this book, and will keep turning pages. My ten-year-old daughter enjoyed reading the story and seeing what happens next."

BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG

Written by Kevin Scott Collier
Cover by Thea Collier
Published November 2005 by Baker Trittin Press

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"Through my position as an editor and columnist for Christian publications, I am always looking for good reading material for all ages. I happened upon author Kevin Collier quite by accident when I saw the title listed on a new releases publication. Intrigued by the name of the book, and the concept of heaven going high-tech, I sent for the book. I was charmed. Though written for the middle-school-aged child (tweener), BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG strikes a chord in the adult heart as well.

Ten-year old Jordan Mink accidentally receives an email from Bartholomew Pennington (Bart), an Angel who lives on Cloud 9. Jordan writes back, and Bart is in deep trouble for breaking the confidentiality of Heaven. To avoid exposure he agrees to correspond with Jordan, and the story unfolds, told entirely in emails.

I recommend that people of all ages read this small book with a big message. Better yet, all ages should read this book together, as a family, with friends, and in school. Yes, in a public school.

Without preaching, Collier has created a masterpiece of communication full of vivid details, which appear in the reader's mind through short, web-ese emails.

By the end of the story, I was amazed, and touched, to realize I had finished a story of remarkable dimensions.

Kindness, good deeds and learning the importance of empathy are explored, and Collier shows through this story how our actions cause ripples in the ocean of human life, affecting ourselves and the people we come to know. The importance of love and friendships without judging one another are illustrated as Jordan interacts with his family, schoolmates and an angel who also has a lesson to learn.

My interest in this author grew, and I wanted to know more about him and his inspiration for this unique book. He agreed to an interview, and I've included it below for those who are interested in more."

"Kevin Scott Collier takes children's writing to the next level with "barthpenn@heaven.org". The story of a young boy, Jordon Mink, "barthpenn@heaven.org" chronicles how Jordon inadvertently receives an e-mail message intended for a deceased man, who is late for his heavenly appointment.

The e-mail sender, Bartholomew Pennington, the angel on duty, is horrified to learn that the e-mail has fallen into the wrong hands and attempts to remedy the situation by sending Jordon a file which will erase the e-mail not only from the boy's computer, but from his mind as well. Being internet literate, Jordon does not fall for the ruse and forces Bartholomew to become his pen pal under threat of exposure. "barthpenn@heaven.org" is the story of ten-year-old Jordon Mink's friendship with the angel and the lessons he learns, due in part to his association with the angel.

Written in an engaging and fast-paced style, Kevin Scott Collier brings off the narrative with ease, presenting the story in the form of e-mails. It is a unique and intriguing, yet potentially dangerous, technique, yet the author handles it skillfully and presents the reader with a story more than worth its paper and ink! An enjoyable read!"

"Jordon Mink is a ten year old boy that receives an email from Bartholomew Pennington, an Angel of the 2nd Order in Heaven by mistake. He is mildly shocked when he is told to report to Heaven by the next day.

This is a hilarious story of emails sent between these two unlikely characters. In the end, Jordon’s life is saved because of the emails.

Young people in late elementary will love this fantasy story. While reading the emails, they’ll also learn about life and Christian beliefs in general."