Little Horse

by Betsy Byars, David McPhail (Illustrator)

Overview

Can Little Horse find his place in the big world?

After accidentally falling into a stream, Little Horse fights the swift current that carries him farther and farther from the valley where he was born.

When he finally manages to scramble ashore, a giant bird swoops down on him. Little Horse runs for cover in a forest of flowers only to have a giant paw pin him to the ground. But a hand gently lifts him up and tucks him inside a warm cave-just like the cave he used to share with his mother.

This tender, fast-moving tale, written by master storyteller Betsy Byars and enhanced by David McPhail's beguiling illustrations, is a true cliff-hanger.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805098709
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	04/01/2002
Series:	Little Horse
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	56
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Betsy Byars is the author of many award-winning and popular books for children, including The Seven Treasure Haunts and Tornado. Ms. Byars was awarded the Newbery Medal for The Summer of the Swans. She and her husband live in South Carolina.

David McPhail is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the popular Pig Pig stories. He lives with his family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Editorial Reviews

"Though the word choice, fast pace, and predictable adventures are perfect for the child who is ready to move beyond easy reading books, the story line provides fantastical and philosophical questions often lacking in books for children of this age." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Gr 1-3-This book seems at first to be a realistic wild horse story but it soon bridges into light fantasy. Little Horse falls into a river and is carried away from his homeland. After narrowly surviving a tumble down a waterfall and evading capture by a bird of prey, he comes to a land where flowers are as tall as trees. It is here that he-and readers-realize that he is tiny-about the size of a squirrel. His relative size presents new problems as he is chased by a dog and feels the ground shake at a man's approach. However, the man proves to be gentle and caring. He takes the animal home and gives him to a boy who provides food and an appropriately sized shelter. Little Horse falls asleep dreaming of returning to his homeland. Young horse lovers will delight in the idea of a real horse they could hold in their hands and will enjoy the small creature's adventures. The simple, sometimes-repetitive sentence structure is similar to that in easy-readers but the format is a more standard paragraph form and the print size is smaller than most. Though Little Horse's adventures are sometimes terrifying, McPhail's soft, almost fuzzy-lined black-and-white illustrations lend a comforting air of reassurance even at the scariest moments. These pictures also add to Little Horse's character and charm. While there is not much depth to this story, it will provide sweet feed for young equine enthusiasts just venturing into chapter books.-Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

A satisfying horse story with a new twist. Little Horse lives in a remote valley with his family and other horses. One day, he strays from the protection of his family, takes a drink from the river, and is carried far away from his safe valley. Disaster after disaster meets Little Horse, but he relies upon luck and his wits to survive. The story's surprising twist comes when the reader realizes that Little Horse really is little. Little enough for the flowers to look like trees. Little enough for a hawk to try to pick him up. This unexpected detail separates Little Horse from many beginning chapter books. When Little Horse meets humans for the first time, he is terrified by their size and then comforted by their care. McPhail's (Mud Is Cake, below, etc.) warm pencil illustrations add excitement and understanding to each page. McPhail can make Little Horse look lonely or terrified or comforted. Though the word choice, fast pace, and predictable adventures are perfect for the child who is ready to move beyond easy reading books, the story line provides fantastical and philosophical questions often lacking in books for children of this age. (Fiction. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews