Steve, a Rare Egg

Written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-1300-4

64 pp.

Ages 6-9

June 2025 

 

Steve the Horse, being the pretty exceptional horse that he is (Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse), has starred in a number of picture books but now is being introduced to young readers in an early graphic novel series, of which Steve, a Rare Egg is the second. It's just another way for author-illustrator Kelly Collier to shine a light on this remarkable and unique and singular character. Steve is not just a horse. He's a headliner.

From Steve, a Rare Egg, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Steve is just trotting along, singing as he does, when he spots some remnants of a party in a trash can. There's cake and a party hat, and then he's distracted by an errant red balloon trapped beneath a stick. It's red and intriguing and Steve calls it fabulous, though his friends Gopher and Bob the Raccoon warn him to be careful. But it's Steve and his argument that it's a law that nothing fabulous is dangerous overrides all. Soon the friends are trying to name it, study its form and figure out what it is. And Steve is taking control and ownership of a red balloon he decides is an egg. In fact, it's a very rare Thingamabob Horse Egg and its parents must be found.

From Steve, a Rare Egg, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

But until the parents are found, they must babysit this rare egg. That includes putting it down for a nap before Steve's "snuggum-wuggums becomes a cranky-panky." (p. 29) Young readers will know it's a balloon but will laugh as Steve decides that his rare egg is about to hatch and he's going to help nurture it, even incubate it, like a "mama horse-chicken." (p. 48) It's not until the inevitable happens that Steve accepts that the red thingamabob was not egg. But will Steve accept that his scientific process of observations and hypotheses and conclusions might not be the strongest?

From Steve, a Rare Egg, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Kelly Collier makes a simple discovery of an unknown object into an informal science experiment with a wild result. Steve and his friends make observations, hypothesize about the red thing's nature and even give it a name, and, based on those premises, Steve concludes what is needed to happen. Unfortunately, he is mistaken–something Steve rarely accepts–but turns it around to see himself in an ever-positive light. Surprisingly, it's Steve's antics that make Bob the best comedic foil, getting laughs with his composure and his insight. Steve's egocentricity–he always knows best–bring on the laughs but, with Bob and Gopher's as counterpoint, the story of Steve, a Rare Egg is hysterical. Steve is gullible and self-interested, but his pals show more insight and guide him to see different perspectives on the same circumstances. Steve may race ahead with all his ideas, but they rein him in as much as they can to keep him safe emotionally and physically.

 

The story of Steve, a Rare Egg is a funny one and it's all the better with Kelly Collier's digital artwork. She keeps her illustrations uncluttered so that Steve and his friends and the balloon, with only a few key embellishments, like a nest, a blanket and some lost posters, are the focus. That red balloon and the trio tasked to monitor it are everything. Even her choice of colours draw the eye to the white horse and the red balloon, the protagonists (?) of the story.  

 

Through her illustrations and dialogue, Kelly Collier gives young readers a story of colour and humour, and so many laughs, and even a bit of the scientific method. With a horse and a balloon, it's a rare combination but it's one that is successful in its silliness.

 

• • • • • • •

If you want to read more about Steve the Horse and his antics, both in picture book or in early graphic novel, or pre-order his upcoming story, here is a bit about the books in the series:

 

Picture books: 

A Horse Named Steve (2017)

Team Steve (2018)

 

Early graphic novels:

Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse (2024)

Steve, a Rare Egg (2025)

Steve, Born to Run (coming Sept. 2025)

 

Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse

Written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-1299-1

64 pp.

Ages 6-9

September 2024

 

We all want to feel special at some point. For some, having a shining moment is enough. For others, like Steve the Horse, it's all about being the centre of attention and perceived as exceptional. Thing is, what makes him exceptional?

Author-illustrator Kelly Collier first introduced Steve in her picture books A Horse named Steve (2017) and Team Steve (2018) but this time Steve gets to show off his exceptionality in this first of an early graphic novel series. (The next books in the series, Steve, a Rare Egg and Steve, Born to Run, are slated for release in June and September respectively.) With a little more story and a lot more illustrations, Kelly Collier gives Steve the opportunity to shine, sort of.

From Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

While hanging with his bestie Bob, the raccoon, Steve witnesses the grandeur of a peacock when it spreads its feathers. Steve, ever the self-absorbed horse, asks Bob, "I know I'm special, Bob, but am I exceptional?" Unfortunately, Bob's reply, citing Steve's nice coat and ability to run fast, isn't sufficient to allay Steve's concerns. 

From Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

But when Steve discovers a golden horn that he can tie onto his head, he believes it will be just the thing to make him exceptionally beautiful. Still, when he approaches his friends to recognize his exceptionality, they seem unimpressed. (It doesn't help that the horn is starting to creep off his head until it's hanging under his chin.) And then the horn is lost.

How is Steve supposed to feel special without his golden horn? And will he still be special if his friends find their own ways to stand out?

From Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

While Kelly Collier could have made Steve tiresome with his self-centeredness, she actually makes him more lovable than annoying. He just wants to stand out. Problem is that he wants to always be seen as exceptional. It's all about him. Still, there are moments of caring for others, like helping Bob reach the apples high in the trees. Steve might not like it but he's a lot like everyone, showing moments of the extraordinary and a lot of ordinary. So, Kelly Collier's Steve will help young children see the flaws of ego when it gets in the way of supporting others. She also brings attention to Steve's friends who, similarly, choosing to be extraordinary, are willing to copy the horse's head decoration with their own, using everything from an acorn to a branch or a leaf.  

As an early graphic novel, Steve, a Pretty Exceptional Horse, has the right elements for encouraging reading. It's got terrific illustrations that are both simple and detailed enough that everyone and everything is recognizable, thereby allowing kids to focus on meaning and enjoying the humour. While there are subtle messages about being egocentric and being a follower, Kelly Collier will just get kids reading and laughing in a pretty exceptional story.

Team Steve

Written and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Kids Can Press

978-1-77138-932-7

40 pp.

Ages 4-8

September 2018

Let's face it: Steve the Horse, introduced in Kelly Collier's A Horse Named Steve (Kids Can Press, 2017), is a bit of a narcissist. It's all about him. In his first book, he wanted to be seen as exceptional among the animals, oblivious to the strengths of others, seeing them as ordinary. Now, in Team Steve, Steve is looking forward to winning yet another race-a-thon, knowing how extraordinary he is as a runner.

From Team Steve by Kelly Collier

But the rules of the race have changed and Steve is put on a relay team with Duck, Turtle and Snail. Steve is perplexed as to how they are to win when "A duck waddles, a turtle walks and a snail ... is a snail!"  Even as each of his teammates suggests that he could coach them, sharing his expertise, he ignores their suggestions until he comes up with the same idea they've been proposing. Problem is that Steve is all about Steve, so his coaching is not about his teammates but about himself. Among his pearls of coaching wisdom, he advises Turtle to lift his hooves (?), Snail to eat three bowls of oats a day and Duck to stretch its neck.

From Team Steve by Kelly Collier

On the day of the race-a-thon, it's Turtle, Snail and Duck who surpass all expectations and pass their race competitors, while it is Steve who loses the race for them. Too busy congratulating himself on coaching his team to a victory, he delays in running his stretch of the race and the other teams tie to win.  Still it's his teammates that help him overcome his embarrassment before Steve is back applauding himself for helping the other teams win.

From Team Steve by Kelly Collier

Oh, Steve. He is such a self-centred horse, always focusing on his own needs and wants and how he is perceived by others. He is totally unconcerned with others except as they relate to him.  Kids will laugh themselves silly at the foolishness of Steve's need for attention and glory knowing that he is the centre of his own distress.  If Team Steve teaches anything it's that teamwork requires cooperation and listening to others, but it's a lesson Steve still needs to learn. Fortunately, Kelly Collier has created some great characters, including Bob the raccoon who organizes the race and the teams, to help Steve see beyond himself. Her characters, so suggestive in their expressions and body language, demonstrate their own frustration with the equine, as well as their curiosity and pleasure. Moreover, Kelly Collier does this with a very limited palette of beiges with black and white.

Steve may not be the most collaborative but his intent, like his emotional support for his teammates, is honest. Perhaps that's why, even when he messes up, like we all do, they forgive him and help him find acceptance of the situation. And with friends to help, everyone, even Steve, is a winner.