The awards are part of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, a premier global children’s publishing event held annually in Bologna, Italy. In A Horse Named Steve from Kids Can Press, Kelly Collier takes on confidence, bravado, hubris, and what it means or not to be exceptional in a wry way, both in her text and in her illustrations. Humorously, Steve manages to strap the horn to his head and prances off to show his friends what he has discovered. Besides its fun appeal as a read-aloud, this book would be a terrific choice to launch discussions on self-esteem, particularly about the difference between what people think will make them special and what actually does make them special.

The eponymous equine, like Cephissus and nymph Liriope’s self-infatuated kid, has a high opinion of himself. Steve the horse longs to be extraordinary in this entertaining picture-book from Canadian author/illustrator Kelly Collier, hitting upon the perfect strategy when he finds a golden horn lying on the ground. He rushes to show his animal friends, who are a little confused but agree that Steve is, in fact, exceptional -- and promptly go find things to attach to their own heads so they can be just like him.It would work especially well with a SWBST (Somebody Wanted But So Then) lesson since Steve's goals and conflicts are so clear. The trailer should give the audience a basic understanding of who the character is, what their world is, and what they’re all about. We decided to keep Steve looking as close as possible to how he looks in the book, and then do bright, colorful backgrounds. Normally I sit down to read the newest children's books I received from Netgalley to my children before bed, and usually I like most of them. Kidscreen title, tagline and logo are trademarks of, and the events are produced by Brunico Marketing Inc.

Steve has to figure out what it really means to be special (hint: it's not strapping a golden horn on your head).As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we’ve been reminded of how important the wide range of partnerships we’ve fostered over the years are to the success of our business,” commented Kids Can Press President and Publisher Lisa Lyons Johnston.

While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet. There are currently two books in the series: A Horse Named Steve (pictured, 2017) and Team Steve (2018).This lovely picture book explores what it means to be special --and to have friends-- when Steve the horse with dreams of exceptionalism finds a golden horn, he straps it on his head and declares himself exceptional. Simple but effective – with a relatable moral of the story – A Horse Named Steve is a comical and charming tale.

Collier also incorporates words associated with the five senses to help children engage with Steve’s experiences, albeit in a lively and stimulating way. I think in part because of how the show looks, but also because Steve is just such a great character. When Steve finds a beautiful gold horn lying on the ground in the forest, he realizes he has found his path to the exceptional!

There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. We reached out, and they responded that the book was on their radar and they would love to option it as well.