Gigi: The Story of a Merry-Go-Round Horse [Paperback]

Elizabeth Foster (Author), Ilse Bischoff (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This children's classic, first published in 1943, relates the travels and adventures of a carousel horse. Gigi is the favorite horse of the children who ride the carousel in the Prater in old Vienna. When WWI breaks out, the carousel is dismantled and Gigi finds himself on his way to a small merry-go-round in Paris. Further adventures take him to London and eventually to America. On each carousel, Gigi forms strong friendships with children whom he dearly misses when he is forced to move on. (Of course carousel horses can talk with children who have not yet outgrown the saddle). The story ends with a happy surprise that will delight the young readers who have also befriended this special merry-go-round horse.

Although it is a children's story, it is one for anyone to enjoy who can still remember holding serious conversations with a favorite carousel horse.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The children's carousel story that has probably been the top favorite for generations, Gigi retains in this new edition all the charming original illustrations, all the mystic wonder of the first edition....Although it is a children's story, it is one for anyone to enjoy who can still remember holding serious conversations with a favorite carousel horse. -- Merry-Go-Roundup, the magazine of the National Carousel Association, Fall, 1990 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

Enhancements to this new edition of Gigi include a new foreword by the author's daughter, Nancy Israel, and the addition of the names of Elizabeth Foster's grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the dedication page. Otherwise, the book remains faithful to the original in terms of both text and the charming illustrations by artist Ilse Bischoff.

In her foreword, Nancy Israel describes how she and her sister made possible the restoration of one of the horses on the Washington National Cathedral's antique merry-go-round. Through the patient efforts of a skilled Cathedral carpenter, and the gifted artistry of members of the Nation's Capital Chapter of the Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, Gigi was replicated, complete with dappled gray coat, shining new saddle, and bright red bridle. Now he was ready to carry a new generation of children on many happy rides. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (February 23, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 091302855X
• ISBN-13: 978-0913028551
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,226,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd like to introduce you to a childhood friend., August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gigi, the Story of a Merry-Go-Round Horse (Hardcover)

I first read GiGi, the Story of a Merry-go-round Horse when I was in the fifth grade. 37 years later I am still reading it and loving it.Set in pre WWI Vienna, Gigi, whose voice can only be heard by children until they outgrow his stirrups, canters in and out of the lives of many children, bringing joy to them.He loves the children deeply, particularly one little girl named Lili but it breaks his heart when he is often sold away from them. He has many adventures, traveling from Vienna to France and America but the story is mostly about love. Ms. Foster tells the tale simply, without condescending to her youthful audience. In fact, she treats the views and perceptions of the children with great respect. This story captures the magic of children and carousels and the simplicity of childlike joy, sorrow and faith. When I was ten, I would check it out of the library, read it with joy during the day and sleep with it under my pillow. My grandkids love Gigi too.