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1
A BLESSED BETHLEHEM BIRTH
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Published: Dec.11.2006 @ 2:32 pm

A BLESSED BETHLEHEM BIRTH


Written by Walter Lee McElligott 
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Published Fall 2006 by Guardian Angel Publishing
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Review by Tami Brady

A Blessed Bethlehem Birth is the Nativity story as told by Abraham and Anna Mousenstern, a mouse couple who lived in the little stable behind the village inn. Their adventure started like any other night. It was quiet and really rather boring. As per usual, the couple chatted with their friends and neighbors with who they shared the stable.

Grandpa Owl told the group that soon many travelers would be passing through their area. A census had been called and many people were traveling to their area to be counted. Indeed, the stable had several visitors that evening. First, a dove brought news of an impending blessed birth that the friends would witness. Then, the human visitors arrived.

A lovely rendition of the birth of Jesus. The animal characters are quite sweet and the pictures nice and colorful. A great story to revisit for the upcoming Christmas season.




 

ANASTASIA'S NEW ANGEL WINGS
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Published: Nov.24.2006 @ 9:34 am | Last edited: Jan.03.2007 @ 7:17 am

ANASTASIA'S NEW ANGEL WINGS


Written by Brenda Reeves Sturgis
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Published Fall 2006 by Lulu Press
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Review by Tami Brady

Anastasia is a little angel with a large imagination. The young angel gets a surprise package and immediately knows that it is her wings. Anastasia is extremely excited and asks if she can try on her wings right away. Unfortunately, even little angels have chores to do before they can get to the fun stuff.

Here’s where Anastasia finds herself in difficulty. She starts her chores with the best of intensions but soon finds herself getting lost in her active imagination. She tries very hard to stay on task but always seems to get distracted.

Anastasia’s New Angel Wings is a cute little story that any child will enjoy. The illustrations are colorful and fun. The storyline gently serves as a reminder that imagination is important and sometimes just making the effort is more important than getting everything done perfectly.


Review by Wee Ones Magazine

When Anastasia receives her new angel wings, special delivery, she can hardly wait to try them on. But first, she must finish her chores. Even a young angel has a hard time folding her laundry and picking up her room. After a lot of daydreaming she is just too tired to do much of anything. Her mom steps in and helps and together they know the joy of working together and having fun! All children will relate to Anastasia since picking up rooms seems to be a common problem, even in heaven! This is a sweet story with a message all children will understand and appreciate. Mom's too!

Bold and colorful illustrations by Kevin Collier make this story fun to read. This book would be a delightful addition to any child's library!



THE LONELY LIGHTNING BUG
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Published: Nov.13.2006 @ 12:13 pm | Last edited: Nov.13.2006 @ 11:35 am

THE LONELY LIGHTNING BUG


Written by Donna J. Shepherd
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Published Fall 2005 by Guardian Angel Publishing
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Review by Sandra Barkevich

The Lonely Lightning Bug is a beautifully illustrated story about a young boy who comes across a lightning bug and learns the value and need for freedom.

The illustrations, done by Kevin Scott Collier, are just wonderful.  The colors pop and the pictures bring Ms. Shepherd’s words to life.  My children enjoyed this short tale and I have to say, I enjoyed reading it to them.  As an added incentive, all proceeds from the sale of this book are given to StarShine Hospice- the Hospice of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.




THE SAD LITTLE HOUSE
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Published: Oct.01.2006 @ 9:20 am | Last edited: Nov.13.2006 @ 11:34 am

THE SAD LITTLE HOUSE


Written by Catherine James
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published Fall 2006 by Guardian Angel Publishing
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Review by Miranda Lyle

The illustrations (by Kevin Scott Collier) in this book are fabulous!  A child that cannot read yet could open the book and tell the story.  The illustrator showed emotion in every face.  The appropriate facial expressions will help children follow the story. 

The well-developed, lovable main character with helpful friends has a happy ending.  Children will easily empathize with the sad house.  The excitement of the house, when chosen by the family, will pour out of the pages into the reader and listeners.

Children will love the animal friends of the house and the interesting ways they help their sad friend.  Being able to see good and looking beyond appearance are leading themes.  Children can begin to develop an understanding of the plight of others. 

This book is a great beginning discussion point for families.


Review by Carolyn R. Scheidies

"Harry was a dull, run-down house in a neighborhood of colorful houses and he was sad. He was sad not just because he was a bit run-down, but because, unlike the other houses, no family lived in Harry. Then one day a boy and his mom were looking for a house and Harry finally had a chance for a family. That is, if his wild-life friends could spruce him up a bit.

A charming tale of friendship, family and longing fulfilled. "

THE BEDAZZLING BOWL
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Published: Sep.27.2006 @ 3:09 pm | Last edited: Oct.01.2006 @ 8:43 am

THE BEDAZZLING BOWL


Written by Wendy Lynn Decker
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Cover by Sue Dent
Published Fall 2006 by Xulon Publishing
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Review by Kevin Lucia

"Ayssa Marie Bellisher - Embellisher, for her penchant for making her stories just a teensy bit more interesting – is not having the greatest beginning to her school year. Bouncing off the walls in a brand new building as a fifth grader, with a new teacher and everything, change is the last thing Aly wants to deal with. Aly’s good at pretending she likes lots of things – what kid isn’t – but the one thing she can’t pretend to like?

Change.

So, things are rocky enough, not to mention her older brother Zach being annoying again as usual and her on-again, off-again friend Kimber -who mom isn’t so hot on Aly hanging around – being an unpredictable friend too. Aly can’t wait to get to her fifth grade classroom and find her best friend Sandy, and then everything will be all right.

Horrors! Not only is Sandy nowhere in sight when Aly gets to her room, her friends with no explanations, but her teacher, Mrs. Canible - which sounds suspiciously like cannibal – is weird, has big teeth, and her room is not only stinky, but full of weird decorations.

Luckily, Aly catches a break; her fifth grade teacher is not fond of eating children, and even when she catches Aly passing a note suggesting otherwise, she laughs the whole thing off. However, that all fades into the background when Aly learns the next day Sandy won’t be going to school with her anymore, because her parents have decided to home-school her instead!

What’s a girl to do….especially a Christian girl who’s now lost her best and only other Christian friend in the whole school? She could hang out with Kimber some more; even though Aly’s mom doesn’t really like it when they hang out, especially because Kimber doesn’t act real Christian-like.

There’s always the new girl who’s been switched from the Special Ed classroom to their class, Cassidy. She seems nice, and really smart in math…maybe she would make a good friend?

No, that won’t do! Cassidy walks strangely and looks weird, and everyone else thinks she’s weird, too. Of course, balanced against her friends’ opinions is that nagging Bible verse she’s been trying to memorize all week – y’know, the one she’s been falling asleep over? You shall be a light upon a hill….zzzzzz.

What’s a girl who hates change supposed to do with a whole pocketful of it?

The Bedazzling Bowl, by freelance writer Wendy Lynn Decker, is a fun little story that’s cute, culturally relative, and has innocent charm that will appeal to most elementary readers.Aly’s travails are very reminiscent of another elementary student that hated change and had a hard time getting things right – good ole’ Ramona the Brat – and this author’s first foray in youth fiction pays a nice homage to Beverly Cleary’s star-crossed heroine.

This is a great, edifying tale that’s child safe for all, and addresses a lot of contemporary issues that Christian students didn’t used to face: special education and inclusion, home-schooling versus public education, and it imparts some great lessons about how we should treat people who are different from us, as well as how young Christians should stand firm in their faith, even when most of their friends are not Christians.

This is a great read for all, and I’ll be happy to buy this and store it away for the future for my daughter to read someday."


Review by Tami Brady

"Alyssia Marie Bellisher (Aly) doesn’t like change. She should be excited. It’s the first day of her last year of elementary school. Instead, Aly is worried. What is her new teacher going to like. Will she be nice or mean? Most importantly, will her best friend Sandy be in her class?

Aly gets to class and Sandy is no where in sight. The young girl learns later that her friend is being homeschooled. As if that isn’t enough worry, Aly learns that her new teacher’s name is Mrs. Canible. The whole class mistakes the name as cannibal and assumes the worst, particularly that the new teacher has eaten Sandy.

Mrs. Canible is aware that her name sometimes scares students and immediately relieves their worries. She then shares treasures that she has brought from her African homeland. Aly’s favorite is a bowl with the “Hear no evil”, “See no evil”, and Speak no evil” monkeys. This bedazzling bowl reminds Aly of a Bible verse. Maybe this year isn’t going to be so bad afterall.

Proceeds of this book will be donated to Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) for their Pedaling for Pearl Project which intends to create a four story building for CEF workers in Uganda."


Review by Carolyn R. Scheidies

"Aly didn’t like change, didn’t want to go to fifth grade with a new teacher and for sure didn’t want to go when she found out her best friend was being home schooled and wouldn’t be attending with her. But when an old friend turns out to be less than friendly and Aly has a chance to befriend a girl from the special ed class, she begins to learn what her faith is really all about.

A story of identity, choices and faith with characters right from your school and neighborhood. A fun read for the tween set."
THE ADVENTURES OF PETER POTATO AND FRIENDS
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Published: Sep.12.2006 @ 8:27 am | Last edited: Sep.12.2006 @ 7:34 am

THE ADVENTURES OF
PETER POTATO AND FRIENDS

Written by Ronald Anthony Harvie
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Published Fall 2005 by New World Publishing
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Review by Travis

"The story in your book was just wonderful and I really liked the characters, also the pictures (by Kevin Scott Collier) made them come to life for me, but I wish they were in colour. When your next book comes out it would be nice if the pictures were coloured, when do you think the next book will be ready."


Review by George Wetherby

"Wow! Peter Potato is so much fun and my sister and I really loved the story with all of the animals. The pictures (by Kevin Scott Collier) were really good and we can’t wait for the next book."


Review by Timothy

"I love to read of your adventure and it will be nice to get the next book when it comes out. I want to see what you look like and the others especially Godfrey in colour the pictures in your book look great and make you so real."


Review by Mandy

"I really love your story and would like to come with you on an adventure some time. The pictures (by Kevin Scott Collier) in your book are so real just like people."
BENJAMIN OLIVER FLANAGAN
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Published: Sep.08.2006 @ 2:39 pm | Last edited: Sep.12.2006 @ 2:45 pm

 BENJAMIN OLIVER FLANAGAN

Written by A. Dale Triplett
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Published Winter 2006 by New World Publishing


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Review by Donna Eggett

"Poor Benjamin Oliver Flanagan! None of the children will play with him. They think he is just a rich little kid with plenty of toys. They don't know that Benjamin only plays with one toy. His little red wagon named Speedy. Benjamin and Speedy go on many adventures until one day catastrophy strikes. Find out how Benjamin deals with the loss of his best friend until love, inspiration and faith deliver a blessing in disguise

With rhythmic verse, cute cartoon type pictures by Kevin Scott Collier, and a strong moral, Benjamin Oliver Flanagan will please preschoolers through 2nd graders, and their adults. A happy, playful child, Benjamin finds out how sad life can be when his special toy friend, Speedy the Red Wagon, crashes. To Benjamin’s dismay, his father has to demolish Speedy before he can fix this wagon. Although the author does not apply Scripture or the Lord to the moral, the Christian meaning is very apparent and, with a little mentoring, the young reader will be able to verbalize the significance of this story.

This little book is a good size for small hands. The words are easy for early readers and memorable for non-readers. Collier's pencil illustrations are in black and white, which will encourage little artists to color them. In fact, a good gift might be this book along with a box of crayons. The one drawback is its price of $15.95, which is a lot for this standard of book. However, if you can cope with the price your little ones will enjoy reading Benjamin Oliver Flanagan several times."


CHIZZY'S TOPSY TALE
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Published: Sep.07.2006 @ 6:20 am | Last edited: Sep.18.2006 @ 10:42 am

 CHIZZY'S TOPSY TALE

Written by Donna J. Shepherd
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Published Winter 2005 by Hidden Picture Publishing
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Review by Shannon Bennett

"In "Chizzy’s Topsy Tale" by Donna J. Shepherd, we meet Chizzy, a monkey who learns a valuable lesson. Chizzy is put to bed by Chizzy’s mom in the branch of a tree. Despite the warning from the mother, Chizzy is lured away for fun by a good friend. Being a good little monkey, Chizzy starts to feel guilty and tells the good friend that they should head back. On their way back the two friends discover just how scary and dark jungle can be. After a mishap in the jungle, Chizzy must go all dripping wet, back to the safe dry tree.

Donna J. Shepherd does an excellent job at showing a valuable lesson in an enjoyable way. Despite how we might try to behave, sometimes we make poor decisions. We can learn from these though, just like Chizzy did. From a parent’s point of view, it’s nice to see that Chizzy’s parent wants the best for Chizzy, and shows this love through boundaries set for her little one.

The illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier are bright and beautiful. They can capture the eye of the reader as well as the one on the lap as the story is read to them.
Also included is a wonderful bonus hidden picture page by Liz Ball. Chizzy’s Topsy Tale is an enjoyable book that offers a timeless lesson in a flowing, colorful, and thoughtful way."



Review by Qetesh

"Despite his mother’s warnings, Chizzy an inquisitive monkey is encouraged to climb down from his tree. He teams up with his best friend Dottie, a spotted hippo, and they embark on a jungle adventure that ends up getting Chizzy grounded. This story takes a lighthearted approach to address the common problems associated with peer pressure and the consequences of what might happen if you disobey. Although Chizzy is involved in a wonderful adventure, he is unable to enjoy the fun aspects of his journey because his conscience keeps reminding him that he has disobeyed and his mother will be worried and angry.

The story moves quickly with a delightful rhyme and rhythm that makes the words easy for children to remember. The artwork by Kevin Scott Collier brings the jungle to life in a fun whimsical manner with vivid colors and memorable characters. The book also contains a hidden picture puzzle of your child’s favorite characters from the story in the back of the book.

This book is a visual delight of color, texture, and movement that will have your child thumbing through the pages again and again.
"


TOPSY TURVY LAND
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Published: Aug.30.2006 @ 9:01 am | Last edited: Sep.18.2006 @ 10:45 am

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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Review by Carole McDonnell

"Topsy Turvy Land begins with a brief description of the Creation, showing God to be an imaginative and wonderful artist. Then it ventures into Topsy Turvy Land, an imaginary world created by author Donna Shepherd and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier. In this world, a reader is invited to step into a great wonderful world of “what if?” What if animals were different colors, or had different attributes? What if horses were blue and had fins and tigers and lambs snuggled together? What if snakes sang? The funny or gentle consequences of these changes are explored until in the end, the author states, in her Topsy Turvy world all would be at peace and everyone would get along. Throughout the imaginings are colorfully illustrated with bright computer illustrations, depicting the various imaginary creations mentioned in the book. Highly recommended."

Review by Stephanie Reed

"Do you need a gift for a grandchild, niece or nephew? Topsy Turvy Land will delight you and the kids you love. You'll flip for the friendly pink hippo with black polka-dots, or the proud doggie who waits for her eggs to hatch. Don't worry if you've never seen those sights before--you're in Topsy Turvy Land. It's a world of a different color, and those colors are bright! The animals please the eyes and the rhymes are a treat for the ears. Every time the kids coax you to read the story, you'll notice something new. Donna Shepherd and Kevin Scott Collier make us smile while showing that God loves us, so all's right with the world."

Review by Wendy Stewart-Hamilton

"Topsy Turvy Land is a book where kids explore the "what if's" of creation. What if colors were different? What if snakes could sing? Donna Shepherd utilizes her excellent writing skills to introduce children and their parents to a world of possibilities. In the midst of all of the topsy-turvy, she even had time, with her illustrator Kevin Scott Collier to add "love" to her book - the question is - Can you find all of the hearts?"

Review by Gianfranco Cazzaro

Donna Shepherd’s “Topsy Turvy Land” is a beautiful book about the wonders God made in our world. With playful rythm, the verses make the reader imagine a world with “messed up” colors, shapes and sounds: pink hippos, green chimpanzees, chirping snakes, flying cows, vegetarian lions…, well represented by Kevin Scott Collier’s shining illustrations. “Topsy Turvy Land” is a perfect read for young children (along with the not so young and their parents, too.)


IF YOU'RE GONNA BE A MONSTER
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Published: Aug.30.2006 @ 8:54 am | Last edited: Sep.18.2006 @ 10:45 am

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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Review by Margot Finke

"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!"




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