2011-04-20T20:09:00.378-04:00

WELCOME TO MY HOMEPAGE!

My name is Kevin Collier and I welcome you to beautiful Grand Haven, a quaint port city along the Lake Michigan shoreline where my wife, son and I make our home. I work for our daily newspaper here and for 30 years have been Art Director. My lifetime interest with writing and drawing lead to becoming a published author of youth fiction chapter books, children's books and illustrator of over 120 picture books for kids. But, life is more than what you do, it's about who you spend it with. In that book, I am blessed, and life is good! Photo above: Me holding a copy of my "Strange Grand Haven" book in our local cemetery - not a favorite hangout location of mine at all!

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MY CURRENT PROJECTS

Colliers' Aquatic Characters Partner With Tanked TV Show

My wife Kristen and I are currently working with the C.E.O. and owners of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, better known as the hit TV show “Tanked" broadcast on the Animal Planet Channel, to produce educational books featuring our aquatic characters. The popular new TV reality show, starring business partners Wayde King and Brett Raymer, which airs at 9:00 p.m. Fridays, showcases the aquarium manufacturer's remarkable works designing custom fish tanks for private and commercial purposes. The "Tanked" crew has snatched up our aquatic characters (such as Joy the Jellyfish, Whispering Wally and Hope the Angelfish) and will be working with a publisher to produce educational books marketed under the banner of the TV show. Kristen and I are honored and looking forward to working with Brett, Wayde and "The General" on this journey. The program, hosted by Discovery Network, is produced for Animal Planet by Nancy Glass Productions. Pictured: Brett Raymer and Wayde King of TV's "Tanked."

"Strange Grand Haven" Book Series Adds Fourth Edition

The fourth edition of the Strange Grand Haven book series has been published. I recall thinking I'd barely find enough to write the first book, which was published in September 2009. Strange Grand Haven 2 and Strange Grand Haven 3 were published last year. Strange tales do not seem to taper off in our area's history and current events! Besides the standard fare of U.F.O., ghost and believe-it-or-not tales, the book will investigates the story of the Allendale lynching tree concerning the reported hanging of an innocent man thought to have killed a trapper who lived in a shack. Is there any truth to it, or is it all simply a legend? The book cover features the tower clock in downtown Grand Haven, and the sad childhood story of the man behind it.

Read the Weekly Column in the Grand Haven Tribune

The Grand Haven Tribune publishes a weekly Strange Grand Haven column written by me. You can read the columns online here:
Grand Haven Carnival Freak Shows (August 1, 2011) Meteors Strike Lake Michigan Near Grand Haven (August 8, 2011) Buried Treasures of Ottawa County (August 15, 2011) Baby in the Mailbox (August 22, 2011) Shortest Sports Career (August 29, 2011) Ottawa County UFOs 3 Days Before Roswell (September 6, 2011) Lottery Winner Loses (September 12, 2011) Rattlesnakes in Ottawa County (September 19, 2011) Lunatic Prays Mayor to Death (September 25, 2011) The Legend of Mrs. Tuttle (October 3, 2011) Headless Man Buried in Lake Forest (October 3, 2011) Serial Killer's Grand Haven Wish (October 17, 2011) The Death of Rev. Spindler (October 24, 2011) Halloween Day in Grand Haven History (October 31, 2011) Hot Air Balloon Mystery (November 7, 2011) Tot Crashes Car and Becomes GM CEO (November 14, 2011) The Hunchbacks of Grand Haven (November 21, 2011) Missing GH Boy 1962 (November 28, 2011) Lightning Fatalities (December 5, 2011) Vaudeville Performers in GH (December 12, 2011) Christian Displays on Dewey Hill (December 19, 2011) One-Armed Horseman (December 26, 2011) Mole Man of Ottawa County (January 2, 2012) 1st GH Mail Man (January 9, 2012) Daughter Drops Dead on Mother's Grave (January 16, 2012) Car and Occupants Vanish (January 24, 2012) Man vs. Deer (January 30, 2012)

"Final Doom" Reveals One Of Nation's First Serial Killers

A ton of research has gone into a book I have written and currently am editing about one of our nation's first serial killers. I began investigating this due to a local connection. Frederick William Hollman, a man who went on to kill as many as six women in three states from 1895 to 1896 lived in Grand Haven, Michigan for five years after immigrating from Brandenburg, Germany to the U.S.A. in 1883. What really surprised me is that Hollman historically is forgotten. He was compared in newspapers at the time to Jack the Ripper and the H. H. Holmes. I have mulled over countless newspapers articles, historical documents and resourced the services of libraries in Illinois, the state where Hollman was apprehended, tried of murder and executed on May 14, 1897. One interesting thing that occurred while I was researching this project was finding ancestors of Hollman online trying to seek information about their "great grandfather" or "great-great grandfather." None of them knew their distant relative was a convicted serial killer. The book, to be published by Black Oak Media, Illinois, will be released in 2012.

Colliers Create Work for Animal Planet TV Show Web Site

My wife and I have turned in materials for an educational web site created by the organization featured in a top-rated Animal Planet television program. I illustrated many pieces for the site, which should appear in early 2012. Due to a confidentiality agreement, that's all I can say. When the web site is officially online, the identity of program can then be announced. The site will feature activities for children and create interest in the organization's cause.

Children's Picture Book Wins 2011 Global eBook Award

A book I illustrated for author Donna J. Shepherd has won First Place in the the Children's Picture book category in the 2011 annual Global E Book Awards. The picture book, Sully's Topsy Tale, is the third in the Topsy Tales trilogy and features a jazz loving, bebopping, singing snake suffering with laryngitis. What's an independent snake that only sings solos to do? While waiting for his voice to return, Sully learns to appreciate the talents of others and the value of friendship. Suggested age for readers: 2-6. The awards ceremony was held in Santa Barbara on Saturday, August 20, 2011. The winning book is published by Guardian Angel Publishing of St. Louis, Missouri. I have illustrated several books for Donna J. Shepherd over the years, the first being Topsy Turvy Land in 2005.

"Sherman's Tank" Educational Cartoon Looks At Shyness

I am working on an upcoming animated cartoon titled Sherman's Tank, which is dedicated to the stars of the Tanked TV show appearing on the Animal Planet Network. The cartoon features a shy pufferfish named Sherman, who needs a little confidence to meet his new friends in the aquarium. Featured voices include Lisa Biggs as Sherman, Steve Mathisen and three stars from the film Courageous. The cartoon, which I am writer and illustrator of, is expected out in November 2011.

Book To Celebrate Pioneering Lyman Twins Comedy Team

I have been compiling and writing a "scrapbook" of sorts for publication highlighting the vaudeville comedy team The Lyman Twins that I hope to have available in print this summer. Herbert Lucius and Howard Charles, twins born on September 12, 1877 in Grand Haven, had an incredible singing, dancing and songwriting career from 1897 to 1911. Interestingly, I have been able to prove it was these two who pioneered, if not created the "mirror illusion" comedy route made most famous by the Marx Brothers in their 1932 film "Duck Soup." The illusion is created when two individuals, who appear to be identical in appearance, face each other in an open frame and move in pantomime tricking an audience into thinking it is one man and his own reflection in a mirror. The book, which will measure 8.5 x 11 inches in dimension and run 60 pages, will contain historical information on the twins and their career, news clippings and reprint advertisements for their shows from the period. My wife Kristen is assisting in the composition of the book. Read a Tribune to the Lyman Brothers on the Orlando Memories Page.

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VIDEO AND ANIMATION

The Adventures Of Lil' Stinker Web Cartoon Is Released

I am proud to announce the release of my first comedy cartoon titled The Adventures of Lil' Stinker. The animated short features a green little gaseous cloud that wreaks havoc on society. I wrote and illustrated the first episode, where Lil' Stinker visits the Grand Canyon, titled "Canyon Blowout." Sean Cristen is the voice of Lil' Stinker and Caleb Bohn, a family friend, plays the Evil Leader. Go to Lil' Stinker's homepage to view the toon!

The Magic Gumball Machine Puts Spin On Current News

I am working on an upcoming animated entertainment cartoon titled The Magic Gumball Machine, which features two gum balls that speak nonsense about current topics in the news. Voices of the two gum balls, named Chewy and Eaton, are provided by Grant Brooks and Alix Daly. In the first episode the gum balls chatter about Casey Anthony and the TV show Dance Moms. The cartoon, written and illustrated by me, is expected to be released by November 1, 2011.

Video Explains How Hope The Angelfish Got Her Halo

An all-new Hope the Angelfish storytime video has been released by Tangerine Sky Video Productions. The video, illustrated and written by Kevin Collier, tells the tale of how Hope got her halo. The story, narrated by Joell Jacob, runs 4:54 in length. n 2008 a print book of Hope's fables, titled Hope the Angelfish, was published by Guardian Angel Publishing. This is Hope's first of a series of storytime videos. Watch the video here on Hope's homepage.

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RECENT LOCAL EVENTS
Spring Lake's McCay Day, Grand Haven's Sand Sculpture

Recently I taught a cartoon and comics illustration class during McCay Day on Tuesday, June 14 at the Spring Lake Library from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. as part of the Village's Heritage Festival. Celebrating the hometown of pioneering animator Winsor McCay, the day also was an observation of the 100th anniversary of the first cartoon released in the United States of American, McCay's Little Nemo (1911.) Take a look at the Little Nemo cartoon here on YouTube. The event this year was great fun! I'm pictured here at the 2009 celebration when I read a letter from the grandson of McCay at the dedication of the artist's Historical Place Marker. On Saturday, June 25 I participated with my son Jarod as a judge in the 30th annual Grand Haven Sand Sculpture event at City Beach on the Grand Haven shoreline. The event began at 10 a.m. with the judging taking place at noon. I believe I have been a judge at the event for five years now, and it's always amazing to see what folks come up with regarding sand art!

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"DRAWING" CONCLUSIONS
Penguins Book by Grosso Teaches Our Children Civility

I illustrate many books for authors each year, but I recently had the pleasure of drawing a book for Cynthia R, Grosso, who is a national etiquette expert, an award winning speaker, a business columnist, author, and founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc. The book, titled The Proper Penguin - The Story of B Polite, was developed to help children and their parents to see civility in action. It was a wonderful project, and I highly recommend the book! It is a sweet story of the benefits of building a foundation of manners early in life. B Polite is not so much about the rules, but rather, it is about respecting oneself first; enabling respect for others, i.e., the circle of life in the life cycle of civility. A must have for parents and their children.

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RECOMMENDED FOR READERS

My Chapter Books For Tweens And Teens

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I have written several chapter books over the years and the four I would recommend to readers 9-15 would be the titles pictured above. Each can be purchased online by clicking on the book title. Barth@heaven.org follows an inspirational communication via email between an angel in heaven and a boy who has only a short time left on earth. The second title is Esther's Channel, presented much like the works of C. S. Lewis, where creatures mirror humans and their emotions, a turtle named Esther must find forgiveness for others after her mother dies. The third title is Natalie's Ark, written by my wife and I. It tells the tale of a young girl lost in a flood, and how through faith, and the encouragement of animals that speak, finds her way back home. The fourth book I recommend is Dreamchaser, also written by my wife and I. It presents the tale of an urban youth who dreams of playing professional basketball, but discovers he is an all-star to those who love him most.

My Picture Books For Children

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I have written and illustrated several picture books over the years and the four I would recommend to readers 4-8 would be the titles pictured above. Each can be purchased online by clicking on the book title. Whispering Wally follows the inspirational tale of a large blue whale, and reveals the secret why he speaks in a whisper. The second title is Professor Horace, Cryptozoologist, which explores the unusual and amusing world of creatures of fable and legend. An elderly professor not only finds the creatures, but befriends them and promises to keep secret their existence. The third title is The Jumbo Shrimp of Dire Straits, written by my wife and I, illustrated by me, which tells the tale of a crusty sea captain who falls on hard times but does not give up on finding a place called Hope. The fourth book I recommend is Hope the Angelfish, which is a written collection of fables with biblical meaning. One illustration accompanies each of the 10 stories included.

Browse Many Titles

To browse 40 of my book titles available, click here to visit Amazon online. You will see pages of books I have illustrated for other authors, too!

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SERVICES AVAILABLE

I illustrate many books for authors each year and my illustration services are available upon request. I also edit and produce videos for books and other entertainment media at reasonable cost. Inquire how I can help you with your project. Check out examples of my artwork here: ART GALLERY 1, ART GALLERY 2.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
Email Kevin Collier Here

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