- Comedy
- Colin collection
- Ages 3–6
Colin's
Part of the collectionColin→Best for 3–6s who enjoy Halloweenish humour without actual scares; very strong read-aloud.
- Books3
- Arcs1
- Span2024–2026
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
Holly Swain's three (so far) picture books about Colin, a vegetarian vampire whose attempts at a quiet life keep being foiled by a chatty duck. The first book (Colin's Castle, 2024) introduces the pair; subsequent books bring in Grandma and then a Monster. The art works with bold silhouettes, limited palettes (orange, black, white) and well-paced page turns. The series sits comfortably in the small group of picture books that handle 'just spooky enough' for 3–6s, the vampire is gently absurd, never genuinely frightening.
Best for 3–6s who enjoy Halloweenish humour without actual scares; very strong read-aloud.
Read in any order; each book is a standalone story with the same cast.
One arc
The shape of the series.
- IStandalone collection arcLow sensitivity
Colin and the duck
Three picture books about the same vampire-and-duck dynamic.
Standalones, all built around the running joke of Colin trying to keep his life quiet and the duck being incapable of allowing this. Castle is the strongest opener (and the awarded volume); Grandma and Monster widen the cast without changing the formula.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 3–6
- Read aloud · 3–6
- Independent · 6–7
Reluctant-reader friendliness
Very high
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Designed to
Sensitivity envelope
Low overall, and consistent.
About the author