Customer Reviews

Rocking Horse Christmas

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A small boy finds Shadow, a rocking horse, under the Christmas Tree. In his imagination, the two ride to the West, joust, race Seattle Slew in the Kentucky Derby, and go on safari. But then the inevitable happens: the boy starts to grow up, as boys always have and always will (it's at this point I have a hard time reading this to my five year old without pretending there's something in my eye). Shadow ends up in the attic. Years pass.

And then the boy's own little boy finds Shadow (as I read this part to my son, there's more pretending that I have something in my eye). Shadow's spirit returns, and they "flew through the sky all Christmas Eve and didn't come home until dawn."

The illustrations of this book are some of the best I've ever seen; the facts of growing up are utterly convincing. This book is delightful and devastating. And there's no need to wait for Christmas to read it: we're Jewish, and we read it all year round.

I am a Christmas Freak, I will completely admit. However, I LOVED this story. As I read it, I could almost see exactly where I was being taken as a reader. I knew I was about to be pulled in, but I loved every moment of it! The story, quite simply, is one which could be said of any child's favorite Christmas toy. Eventually, that toy is replaced by something -- be it another toy or simply the heartbreak of every child's growing up. Reminiscent of Silverstein's _The Giving Tree,_ the rocking horse keeps vigil, waiting for the little boy who used to have great adventures with him everyday. A happy ending rewards readers who know in their hearts that it is coming (but keep a tissue handy!). A beautifully illustrated book, _Rocking Horse Christmas_ is a holiday treasure to add to any collection!

I would recommend this book to a person who enjoyed the book "The Polar Express." "Rocking Horse Christmas" is a very poignant story about a rocking horse loved by a boy but that is then forgotten. Mixed in is a story of growing up and friendship that will pull at the heartstrings of an adult with children.

Suitable for a second-grade reader but a story that will be cherished by any age. Highly recommended.

This is one of the books that we read every year on Christmas Eve. My children are all grown up, and this story always brings tears to my eyes. It just makes me think of how quickly kids grow up, but yet some things never change. It's a great book!

This is a tale describing the incredible imagination of a boy and his rocking horse.They encounter many adventures and explore all parts of the world. The rocking horse,whose name is Shadow,and the boy become best and inseparable friends until the boy starts to grow up and outgrow the rocking horse. I truly enjoyed this colorful story. It made me feel for the rocking horse and his loss. The illustrations were so beautiful. They were akin to portraits,which made the reader feel as though you were actually there. Every child and parent should read this book.

Jennifer Dunagan,author of Auntie
Jennie's Puppy:The Adventures of Santana
and Santana's Harrowing Halloween

This is such a sweet Christmas book. Anyone with children, especially boys will love to read this to their own children. It also has BEAUTIFUL illustrations.

I think this book is good, But it's not all that and a bag of chips.I mean its 1:45 and i have to read a book and only have 15 min. to read this book is the grate one to read its cute and short of i like it i am shore you would too.