How Art Is Created in Topsy Turvy Land

Topsy Turvy Tales have a unique look created by artist and illustrator, Kevin Scott Collier. Here are examples from a work-in-progress called Chizzy's Topsy Tale.

First, Kevin draws the image on white paper using a black marker.

After scanning the art into his computer, Kevin "inverts" the image, making it a "negative."


Next, using rbg color and paint buckets in Adobe Photoshop, Kevin colors the images.


Finally, each color area is individually selected and a "lighting effect" added to create shadows and dimension.


The illustration is complete!

Chizzy's Ready for Beggar's Night

Where's Chizzy? Dotty sure looks scared, doesn't she?

Chizzy is the monkey featured on the cover of Topsy Turvy Land (Hidden Pictures Publishing) written by Mama Donna and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier. 

Dotty and Chizzy both make appearances in the other Topsy Tales, too (Chizzy's Topsy Tale, Dotty's Topsy Tale, and Sully's Topsy Tale).  

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

Chizzy's Topsy Tale

I'm delighted to say that that Guardian Angel Publishing has released a new and expanded version of Chizzy's Topsy Tale in print and as an eBook. Kevin Scott Collier has completed the cutest illustrations for the book. Kevin and I gave away hundreds (problably more like thousands) of the shorter ebooks featuring Chizzy, the mischievous monkey in Topsy Turvy Land. Now available.

Reviews for Chizzy's Topsy Tale:

Stories for Children Magazine:

This charming picture book story told in rhyming text again teams up author Donna J. Shepherd with Illustrator Kevin Scott Collier. Together, they have created another compelling book for all young readers.

Chizzy the Monkey was just tucked in bed by his mother when Dotty the Hippo calls to him and asks him to hunt for a fruit treat with her. Along the way, Dotty gets them lost in the woods. The meet a lion cub who is scared of them and they are scared that the cub's mother might return. They tell the cub they are lost, and he points them in the right direction. They stop their snack search to help a baby elephant out of the mud. They continue on and find their fruit treat and start eating it when Chizzy worries that his mother will be quite upset when she discovers that he isn't in his bed. Do they make it home in time before Chizzy's mother discovers him missing? You'll just have to read this cute book to find out what happens next!

The superb text by Donna Shepherd and colorful kid-friendly illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier make this book a "must have" for the younger set. It gives young children the message that they should help out their friends and to also be aware that parents worry about them. I give this book a high five for the cute storyline, the perfect rhyming text and the wonderfully colorful and kid-friendly illustrations.

The Muse Books Reviews:

"The strength of this book is the poetic flare throughout on each page along with the illustrations. The storyline brings the animals alive, appealing to this big child, but to families who are seeking a story that will entertain and teach children the mishaps of disobeying. A great and fun read all around." - Lea Schizas

Reviews by Heidi for Home School Blogger:

"With its fun rhyming verses and vibrant illustrations, this book will be a favorite."

The Book Chook:

"Chizzy's Topsy Tale is just the sort of picture book that helps children learn to read." - Susan Stephenson

Zooprise:

“Chizzy’s Topsy Tale” is a great bedtime or anytime story for young ones. Not only is it a well written story, it also help parents teach lessons that are important for children to learn. A great addition to any children’s library, this book and the whole series will be treasured for years to come." - Joy Delgado

Valentine's Day Hidden Picture Puzzle

A special treat! A hidden picture puzzle for Valentine's Day by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles or other books (like Topsy Turvy Land!) from Hidden Pictures Publishing, click HERE. Enjoy!

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

Kevin draws Chizzy, my favorite monkey!

AND Kevin draws Dotty, Chizzy's best friend.

New Coloring Page! Chizzy Goes Bananas!

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

Chizzy Coloring Page

An elephant is in deep trouble! You'll find out what Chizzy and Dotty do to help when you read Chizzy's Topsy Tale - coming soon from Guardian Angel Publishing!

Coloring Page

Hi, kids! Here's a sketch of Chizzy by illustrator, Kevin Scott Collier. Why don't YOU color him? What color eyes does he have? How about his fur? Maybe you like purple or blue! After all - in Topsy Turvy Land, anything goes!

Here's a picture of Kevin and his color drawing of Chizzy. How different is your picture from Kevin's?

The Books that Started It All!

TOPSY TURVY LAND
by Donna J. Shepherd
Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
(Hidden Pictures by Liz Ball)

Come visit a place of peace and whimsy where green monkeys and singing snakes live. Children will delight in the lyrical rhymes and vibrant illustrations while searching for the hidden hearts. Full of fun from beginning to end!

ISBN: 0967815967
Format: Paperback, 16pp
Pub. Date: July 2005
Publisher:
Hidden Pictures Publishing
P.O. Box 63
Tipp City, OH 45371

Retail price: $6.99

To order directly from the publisher, click here!

To order from Amazon:



Excerpt:

"He made the giraffe with his very long neck,
And the toucan with gigantic beak,
God must have had fun,
Creating each one,
And all in just under a week!"
© 2005 Donna Shepherd

The publisher has a blog, too. Check it out! Click here!