Biography
Author-illustrator Kelly Collier was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. She has an identical twin sister and an older brother. As kids, Kelly and her sister drew all the time, mostly in an effort to “outdraw” their brother. Kelly studied illustration in college and has had lots of editorial work published, but has always wanted to create a children’s book. The idea for A Horse Named Steve came from a doodle she did to fill a small empty frame at home. 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.
Awards
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Izzy’s Tail of Trouble
2023 - Joan Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s Book Award, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Short-Listed
2022 - Gold Standard, Junior Library Guild, Short-Listed
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Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle
2023 - Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, Washington Library Association, Nominated
2023 - Delaware Diamonds Award, Diamond State Reading Association, Winner
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Team Steve
2019 - Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
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A Horse Named Steve
2018 - Shining Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards, Commended
2017 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2017 - First and Best List, Toronto Public Library, Winner
2017 - OLA Best Bets, Ontario Library Association, Winner
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Izzy in the Doghouse
2022 - Chocolate Lily Book Awards, Chapter Book category, , Short-Listed
Early Chapter Books
Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer, 2023
Izzy’s Tail of Trouble, 2022
Izzy in the Doghouse, 2020Picture Books
What If I’m Not a Cat?, 2023
Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle, 2021
Team Steve, 2018
A Horse Named Steve, 2017