Steve, a Rare Egg

Steve the horse graphic novels #2

by Kelly Collier

The second book in a graphic novel series about Steve, a pretty incredible horse (just ask him!).

Steve makes an intriguing discovery as he is munching leftover party cake in the picnic area. The thingamabob, as he has named it, is oval shaped and smooth. Hmm. It must be an egg! True, no one has ever seen a red egg before … but that must be because they’ve never seen a super rarethingamabob egg before! Now that Steve has identified it, he’d better take care of it until they find its parents. Steve knows a lot about caring for eggs. What could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Childrens, Animals, Graphic Novels Manga, Graphic Novels Comics, Horses

64 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve the horse is nothing but sure of himself. Without checking anything out, he decides that a balloon is actually a red egg. His friends advise him to check it out — but oh, no! Steve has as much self-assurance as he does ignorance. (If Steve reminds you of someone else, I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or not. Steve, however, is a bit smarter and not cruel at all.)

I had not read the first in this series, but it would work as a stand-alone. Kids will probably love this book, I found dealing with Steve to be exhausting. (Again, don’t know if that’s coincidence or to be expected.)

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve believes he has found a rare red egg until proven otherwise. He's able to put a positive spin on this reversal and keep smiling.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that we had read starring the wonderfully quirky Steve!

We thought that this book was again a lot of fun!

I liked the way the story was written, it had a nice flow to it and it wasn't a complex story with unnecessary big words so my daughter was able to read the book to me without help as she had done with the first book - it was a great follow on story but it is a stand alone so no need to read any others in the series.

The illustrations in the book were a bit quirky, like Steve, and they worked well with the story.
Lots of fun - 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

[Katy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the first Steve book but I really enjoyed this second book in the series and it wasn't confusing to pick this one up having not read the one before, which I loved! Steve is a goofy loveable character who stumbles upon a balloon and decides to keep it as his own -- the only problem is he's not sure what it is. One of the best parts of the book was how his friends act as a foil to Steve and encourage him to base his ideas about the balloon on facts rather than assumptions. This would be a great jumping-off point for any teacher or parent and an age-appropriate way to talk to young kids about facts, assumptions, fake news, misinformation, etc. I know a lot of teachers and librarians are looking for age-appropriate texts for talking to young kids about these fundamental ideas. Most of all though this is a fun book about discovery. The whole time the suspense builds because Steve thinks the balloon is an egg and you keep wondering, "when will this balloon pop?" This is a great addition to any public or elementary library or early reader collection. This is a great book for beginning readers and one that would be fun for a read-aloud. Pick this one up today! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve the Horse returns in another early reader graphic novel; this time he mistakes an ordinary red balloon for a Thingamabob Horse Egg. No better textbook example of the Dunning-Kruger effect could exist and young fans will delight in knowing better than Steve that horses don’t lay eggs. As his long-suffering but kind friends attempt to reason with him, Steve throws out one ridiculous hypothesis after another, building to the inevitable (and humorously anticipated) climax in which he tries to sit on the balloon to facilitate hatching. Collier’s elegant and very funny illustrations recall 1950s New Yorker cartoons. They’re never busy but instead hold acres of blank space, which really helps the talk bubbles and characters pop, while a soothing color palette of earth tones and buttery yellow stands in marked contrast to so many of today’s graphic novel offerings. This one is also unique in its focus on one goofy individual as opposed to an oil and vinegar style-partnership (i.e., Pizza and Taco, etc.). Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun with the scientific method! Steve the horse and his woodland animal friends find an unfamiliar object in the clearing and get together to determine what it is. Laugh your sox off!
The illustrations by the author are simple and fun.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof galley from Kids Can Press via NetGalley. ***** review #goodreads #storygraph #NetGalley #librarything @kidscanpress @waterstones @childrensbookcouncil #SteveARareEgg by Kelly Collier @iusedtobeanartist #graphicnovelseries
#StevetheHorseGraphicNovelsBk2 #BookishCanadians #KidsBookstagram #IReadCanadian #kidlit #RaiseAReader #StorytimeWithStephanie #MiddleGrade #Humour #Series #childrensbookillustration #family @childrensbookcouncil #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @indigo #BAM #B&N @kobo

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This kids comic was absolutely surprising in just how genuinely funny, silly and charming it was.

Steve finds a...Thingamabob in the woods and embarks upon a scientific, philosophical, and anthropological odyssey about what it might be, recruiting his friends in his theories and experiments.

This gave me a real nostgalic feeling for old Nickelodeon cartoons, especially Angry Beavers.

Obviously, the primary audience is kids and it's incredibly silly and think it would be thoroughly entertaining, but this big kid was absolutely taken with the ridiculousness of Steve and the glorious ridiculousness of this book.

I need more Steve in my life!

[Amanda Carrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cute & fun graphic novel, and I think my students will as well! We’ll be adding this book and plenty of Collier’s others to our primary school library collection. I’d never read any of her books before and am thankful to have had the chance to read this ARC. I especially love how this story naturally weaves in the main character making a prediction and being sad when he wasn’t correct. That’s something that kids really do go through at school and in different situations. It’s a relatable experience and the book also models that it’s still a valuable learning experience. I wasn’t expecting a STEM link and was pleasantly surprised! Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frivolous and whimsical, this has a horse discover one of those ovoid, bouncy, bright red floaty things, tied by a piece of string to a simple stick – and then completely misidentify it as an egg. Most children – you'd hope – will know from the off it is a balloon, but what's not fully clear is if Steve's friends have got it right, and how much they're just humouring Steve. They certainly allow him to push them around. There's nothing else to this – Steve thinks he's tending an egg, and that's it – so it's not exactly complex. But it is actually done with just about enough humorous smarts to allow for a re-read further down the line. A slightly generous four stars.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Steve graphic novels are adorable. In this one, a red balloon has floated into Steve’s world and Steve is trying to figure out what it is. Him and his friends Raccoon and Hair tried to help with the scientific method but the best they come up with is egg balloon. And we get to watch Steve, and his friends have an interesting time with a balloon they think is an egg. These books are a great beginning graphic novel. The story is easy to follow, and the illustrations are as important as the words. Overall, this is well done, and I can’t wait for the next adventure.

[Lila Danisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

BECAUSE NOTHING FABULOUS IS DANGEROUS. IT'S THE LAW.

- Steve, a Rare Egg (Steve the Horse graphic novels, #2), 18.00%

So funny. I was laughing so hard my son almost woke up.
Steve was so antic. He was kinda like Mr. Bean if Mr. Bean talked to much. Bob, bless him, was so patience with Steve.

Thank you to Kelly Collier, Kids Can Press Publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't expect this to be a early reader graphic novel but its a good one. Spoilers: the balloon will pop. But what happens before that climax is a humorous tale of a horse and some forest friends. I love the conversations as the story unfolds. The artwork is also good. Your kids will laugh and enjoy this one.

[Stella Marchione · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so so cute. The kids will laugh and so will you!

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review submitted to School Library Journal for SMS Fiction Article publishing.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...Steve is at it again...meaning although his approach to the "egg" is logical, he still is ignorant about it and does it with his own hilariously arrogant style!

[Liz H {Redd's Reads} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one did not work for me, but I can see how young readers would really enjoy the characters and art style.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun sequel. Steve the Horse discovers what he thinks is an egg.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS. It’s got cute art, a sense of humor that works for me, simple but engaging plotline, and a horse with woodland critters. The ups and downs of science and self-confidence. So relatable.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preferred the first one but the page where Steve prepared to sit on his nest was chef’s kiss

[Kay S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the first one better... This one felt too silly. Even for the kiddos.

And Steve was so mean to Bob in this one, excluding him from everything and making him do all the hard work.

[Bridget Dudzik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to read to kids about inquiry and the scientific method. Loved it!

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve is the silliest horse you’ll ever meet, and in this, the second volume about him, he encounters a thingamabob that's round, red, and floaty. In typical Steve fashion, declares that it’s an egg, adopts it, and proceeds to make his friends co-carers. He’s in for a surprise though.

Just as delightful as the first volume about Steve the Horse, and also highly recommended. Many thanks to Kids Can Press and to Edelweiss for early DRC access.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than the first graphic novel in the series. I was not as irritated with Steve and his selfishness, although he does still tend towards being self-absorbed or, in this case, caught up in his own ideas so he doesn't listen as much to those around him. That being said, it will make for a silly story for an early reader or even for a read aloud. The picture book may be better for read aloud, but these are less graphic novel structure than others and, as a result, could probably be read like a picture book at bedtime to a younger child who may just be intrigued by the story of Steve. Or have read the picture books and want more.

The artwork is fun and consistent with the picture books and what works for this age demographic. Nothing to complain about there. And there is. a lesson buried in the story, but I can't say that it is really apparent and, for the most part, Steve seems to keep going as though he didn't learn anything from his experience hatching a rare egg.

I probably could see it in my heart to push this one to a 4 star if there had been some growth on the part of Steve. He is a foil for the other characters and does get a message across about being stubborn, but for a younger reader, not having him truly learn is a challenging way to end things. He learns a bit, but not a lot.

*I received an ARC via NetGalley.