Horse [Hardcover]

Malachy Doyle (Author), Angelo Rinaldi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Follow one little foal as he grows into a magnificent horse! From learning to stand on wobbly legs to napping in the sunshine and trotting around the field with his mother, he changes as the seasons pass. By springtime he has grown big and strong.

Set against lush green fields and picturesque skies, this touching portrait of a mare and her foal is perfect for all horse fans!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Doyle and Rinaldi briefly describe, in simple text and handsome artwork, the springtime birth of a foal and his first year of growth, culminating on a fine morning a year later when his young owner slips a bridle over his head and leads him quietly around the field for the first time. The stunning double-page oil paintings cover every inch of space, showing farm fields, barn stall, and paddock as well as the human and equine characters. Several illustrations are so realistic that they appear to be painted-over photographs. Like Cow (S & S, 2002), Horse is a beautifully rendered, loving introduction to a familiar animal.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
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From Booklist

In a companion to Cow (2002), the author and illustrator outdo themselves with a simple, appealing text and inviting, photo-realistic oil paintings. Doyle introduces the prototypical horse standing alone in a field: “She is waiting.” After a visit from two children, who talk quietly to her, little listeners find out that she is waiting for the birth of her foal. The foal, in turn, learns to walk and run (and rest in between), and his growth and progress are shown during the course of a year. Rinaldi’s illustrations are pleasingly attuned to the changing seasons, the musculature of the two horses, and the beauty of the mother and foal as they trot around the field. They also capture the bond between a girl and her horse (no adults are pictured or mentioned in the book). The final, lovely last spread, showing a horse and its girl galloping along, offers a promise of further freedoms: “One day we’re going to ride, you and I, over the hill and all the way to the sea.” Grades K-2. --Abby Nolan

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (June 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416924671
• ISBN-13: 978-1416924678
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Malachy was born in Ireland, went to college in England, brought up his children in Wales and has now returned to Ireland, where he lives on a tiny island off the coast of County Donegal.
After spells in advertising and as a special needs teacher, Malachy turned to writing children's books. He has now had over 70 published and has won many prizes, including the Parent's Choice Gold Award and the Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award (for 'Tales from Old Ireland'), the Nestle Children's Book Silver Award (for 'The Dancing Tiger'), the Tir na nOg Award (for 'Georgie') and the English Association Award (for 'Cow').

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, April 18, 2009

By 

R. Wade (Dearborn, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horse (Hardcover)

I originally borrowed this book from the library as my 2 year old daughter loves horses. She has requested I read this book at least once per sitting (nap and bed time) since we got it and we both love it. The pictures are outstanding and the text is easy enough for the very young to understand without driving the adult reading crazy. The story is about a mother horse who starts the book expecting. She has her colt and he grows throughout the book until he is a yearling and the girl offers him a carrot as she puts a halter on him. Also, the book is a nice length, long enough to satisfy the child, but short enough that you have time to read other books. I would say that this book would be appropriate for older children, both my 4 and 6 year old enjoy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for young and old, April 14, 2011

By 

EmilyMOM - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Horse (Hardcover)

I first checked this out from the local library for my daughter; then bought a copy here for my mother. She owns horses and I knew she would appreciate the story and gorgeous illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved by a 2, 4 and 36 year old, August 10, 2010

By 

Mama Leche (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horse (Hardcover)

The prose for "Horse" is beautiful in the way it creates such clear imagery with words ("They love her warm, sweet smell, and the way her breath comes hot and heavy from her soft nose.") Anyone who has spent enough time with horses to know their quiet communication and simple peace will be moved by this book.

The prose of "Horse" also captures the physical world beyond the horses - there are sounds, smells, light moving in a way that can place the reader, sensually, in a world of four seasons, time passing and magic happening.

Angelo Rinaldi's illustrations are so beautiful, they make the horseless equestrian ache for time next to the withers, picking hooves, a hand on the crest of the mane.

We got this book from the local library and I simply must get a copy to keep at home always. It is timeless and equally loved by my 2 and 4 year olds (boy and girl) as well as yours truly, the 36 year old!