Customer Reviews

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had read this book as a child, then recently came across it again as an adult. Although the story itself is simple, the moral is timeless and holds the characteristics of a downplayed fairytale. As a horse lover, I feel that there are not enough books out there which center around the majestic beast. Fritz is akin to Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. A not so beautiful, diamond in the rough, heart of gold pony who will fill readers' hearts. This book has incidentally inspired me to try my hand at writing children's horse stories as well. I recommend it to anyone who wants to teach children the importance of all too rare goodness which needs to be duplicated time and again.

This is a wonderful story about Fritz, a short, shaggy pony who lives his life in the shadow of the tall, sleek horses of the kingdom. His life changes, however, when this little "nobody" prances forward to rescue the children when the "beautiful" horses cannot.

An endearing story which teaches children that true beauty is found inside. As with all Jan Brett books, the charming illustrations will captivate even the smallest of children.

Add this one to your child's library ... it's sure to quickly become a favorite!

Fritz is not beautiful, but he is gentle and kind and hard working. He rescues the children when the beautiful horses would not. This story, like all of Jan Brett's books, is wonderfully illustrated and teaches a lesson while showing the joys animals bring to a child's life.

Not only a wonderful, heartwarming story for any age of horse and childhood lover, but the illustrations stand completely on their own. We have two others books by the same illustrator / author and are actively seeking more. A must have for all children's and pen and ink art libraries!

Ms. Brett has such an incredible talent for children's books! While reading this book I was enchanted by her tale of Fritz, a shetland (?) pony who was exiled from a city due to his stocky appearance. In the end this pony saves the day but not before a disaster happens on the road to the great city.

An excellent choice for a library, one that any child (although especially a horse-loving child) will want to read again and again. Ms. Brett's illustrations always set her books apart from her fellow authors and this book is no exception. She captures the life and beauty of every horse and pony in her book.

I believe that this is a second-grade reading level book although any age is certain to enjoy this story.

I love the illustrations in this book, and my horse-crazy daughters enjoy them too.

I just think that the very end of the book [SPOILER - the citizens welcome Fritz into their town at the end because of him saving their children] wasn't handled the way I would have. It felt like an implicit ratification of the townspeople's attitude - still only the beautiful horses allowed in town, and Fritz is allowed because he worked so hard. I'd have preferred something about the people realizing that the heart matters more, or that they were wrong about what's most important (exterior vs. interior beauty). I don't think it would have needed to be heavy-handed.

As it is, we don't read it that often and when we do, I find myself modifying the last few words. Or starting a discussion about being kind etc.

Once long ago there was a walled city known for its beautiful horses, and so a law was passed out that only the most beautiful were allowed in the city, not even a scruffy pony who very much wanted to look and be grand. Suddenly, the bridge breaks. Will Fritz be able to save the children? The plot is colorful and imaginative. The setting is just outside the walled city with ponds, fields, and roads. Fritz is the main character of the book. He is sure-footed, kind, and always willing to work. The men and ladies mock poor Fritz because he is scruffy. The children absolutely adore Fritz but are scared of their own horses who prance around and show themselves off. Jan Brett, the author of Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, was born December 1, 1949, in Hingham, Massachusetts. Fritz and the Beautiful Horses was her first published book ever. Today she lives in Norwell, Massachusetts, an historic area on the south shore, and spends her summers up in the mountains where she works hard on her books. Jan Brett wrote a boat-load of other books including Hedgie's surprise. I thought the book Fritz and the Beautiful Horses was great and would recommend it to everyone.

A heartwarming story of a misfit pony who proves the proverb to be true: "Beauty is only skin deep." One falls in love with this dear little pony, his sorrows and his gentle ways. As the author describes him, "Fritz was very gentle and kind. He was sure-footed and always willing to work." His physical appearance of short legs and tangled mane did not win him an invitation to live with the other gorgeous horses in the beautiful walled city. He lived outside of it and alone.

The text is perfect. The illustrations are unique in their intricacy. The author excels in variegated designs of the clothing of the characters, especially the children in the story.

I won't give away the ending, but it is heart-winning and satisfying. Jan Brett has here created the perfect children's book, with love at its heart.

We love this book about Fritz. The illustrations are beautiful. This is one of our favorites.

Once again Jan Brett brings us a charming story with captivating illustrations. Best of all, the story is well written and demonstrates to young readers that good literature can be fun. We added this book to our home library when it was still only available in the school binding. It's great to see it is finally available in the more affordable paperback.