If You Want to Ride a Horse

December 18, 2023
This love letter to horseback riding offers warm encouragement, even to readers who may not have access to horses. Novesky (Girl on a Motorcycle) welcomes those riding only in their imaginations (“All you have to do is close your eyes”) or using someone else’s gear (“It’s okay to borrow”). Gently urging text provides access to treasured insider jargon (“Might she have stockings or socks? Feathered fetlocks?”), simple tips (“Slip him a peppermint”), and clear instruction (“Settle in the saddle, center, spine to spine”). The “you” the narrator addresses is portrayed as a pale-skinned child with a bowl cut, who starts out drawing a horse, then stands uncertainly in a stable doorway, feet turned inward, before growing comfortable with grooming and riding. In addition to naturalistic, close-up views of the animals themselves, mixed-media spreads by Abary (Crow Spirit) employ printmaking-like textures to detail riding clothing, tack, even a diagram of a quick-release knot. In this passionate introduction to riding, the creators make no apologies for being besotted with horses: “What? Is your heart a wild horse, too?/ A secret: the scent of a barn is a balm.” Extensive back matter concludes. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary.

January 1, 2024
Climb into the saddle of your imagination. So you want to ride a horse? Who doesn't! It's really quite simple. All you have to do, advises this lovely book that proceeds at the rhythm of a gentle trot, is close your eyes and visualize the horse of your dreams. Think about your horse's coloring, markings, shoes, and mane--braided or not? Then think of a name. The name's important because you'll want to call that horse of yours so you can go for a ride. If you're ever so lucky, your steed will love you and greet you with "a nicker, a lick, a nudge" and "rest his splendid head on you." Oh, and don't forget to "slip him a peppermint," which you should always carry in your pocket. The text proceeds with suggestions about how to groom horses and keep them clean and how to ride them carefully, safely, and joyously--if only in your mind's eye. Readers who were already lovers of these gorgeous, wonderful creatures will find their fancies galloping away in delight. Others may well become instant equine converts as they pick up horse lore and facts aplenty and may eagerly trot toward other titles to learn more about their new favorite animals. The soft mixed-media illustrations suggest a landscape of the imagination with their muted palette. Horse lovers, take note: This is a sweet, tender book to ride off into the sunset with. (information on horses, photos, author's and illustrator's notes) (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2024
"If you want to ride a horse," the narrator assures the reader, "all you have to do is close your eyes." There follows a tour (in the imagination) of horses and horse ownership -- what color will your horse be, with what markings? How will you care for your horse, grooming it and cleaning its stall? How will you tack up your horse, and what gaits will you experience after you mount it? Although the text covers many of the topics explored in introductory horse books, the dreamlike nature of this gentle, occasionally rhyming picture book allows expansion into related areas: "Is your heart a wild horse, too? A secret: the scent of a barn is a balm. It will calm that galloping muscle inside you, I promise." The speckled mixed-media illustrations in muted tones of rose, peach, and champagne extend the imaginative atmosphere, seeming to float in space and transporting the reader, by book's end, to a deserted beach where horse and rider can run in untrammeled freedom. Back matter goes into greater depth on the subjects of horse colorings and markings, styles of riding, behavior, and equipment, and concludes with personal notes from the horse-loving author and illustrator. "Heels down, eyes up, smile. Yes, beam. You are sitting atop a dream." Anita L. Burkam

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

March 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* You know those horse-obsessed kids who watch Spirit and read Misty of Chincoteague on repeat? This dreamy and instructive book is tailor-made for them. Recreational riding or horse ownership may be unrealistic for many, but here the bounds of reality dissolve with some wishful thinking. "If you want to ride a horse, all you have to do is close your eyes." The horse of your imagination--neigh, the horse of your dreams--can be any color and have any markings, with a mane groomed just so. Questions about "this horse of yours" receive affirming responses that encourage readers to embrace horsemanship with whimsy and gusto. "The scent of a barn is a balm. It will calm that galloping muscle inside you, I promise." As in her admiring biographies of unconventional women, including Cloth Lullaby (2016) and Girl on a Motorcycle (2020), Novesky's fanciful lyricism teeters on the right side of informed infatuation and continues her trend of crafting adventurous protagonists. Abary's mixed-media illustrations gorgeously meld the text's specific details with romantic possibility, centering the escapades a child and their horse might enjoy. Illuminating back matter calls back to the gentle text while notes from both creators lend a personal connection to their work. A terrific addition to all collections and an absolute must for equine enthusiasts.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 23, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A delightful exploration of a child's imaginative journey into the world of horses. Through its engaging narrative and soft, muted illustrations, the book captures the essence of what it means to dream about riding and caring for these magnificent animals. The text is thoughtfully crafted, describing various features of horses-from their coats and colors to their unique markings and personalities. It effectively balances storytelling with factual information, making it accessible for beginner readers while also providing more developed readers with interesting insights into horse care. The inclusion of practical aspects, such as grooming and the tools needed, adds depth to the narrative. The illustrations have a simple, sketch-like quality, utilizing a gentle palette of orange, purple, and grey. This choice of colors creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly complementing the text. The visuals not only enhance the storytelling but also invite young readers to immerse themselves in the whimsical world of horses. What sets this book apart is its interactive approach. The author poses questions that encourage readers to imagine their perfect horse and what it would be like to ride. This technique fosters creativity and engagement, making the reading experience dynamic and personal. VERDICT A charming and informative book that will resonate with young horse enthusiasts, this title is ideal for educators looking to inspire a love for reading and an appreciation for horses in children.-Haley Amendt

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
"31If you want to ride a horse," the narrator assures the reader, "all you have to do is close your eyes." There follows a tour (in the imagination) of horses and horse ownership -- what color will your horse be, with what markings? How will you care for your horse, grooming it and cleaning its stall? How will you tack up your horse, and what gaits will you experience after you mount it? Although the text covers many of the topics explored in introductory horse books, the dreamlike nature of this gentle, occasionally rhyming picture book allows expansion into related areas: "Is your heart a wild horse, too? A secret: the scent of a barn is a balm. It will calm that galloping muscle inside you, I promise." The speckled mixed-media illustrations in muted tones of rose, peach, and champagne extend the imaginative atmosphere, seeming to float in space and transporting the reader, by book's end, to a deserted beach where horse and rider can run in untrammeled freedom. Back matter goes into greater depth on the subjects of horse colorings and markings, styles of riding, behavior, and equipment, and concludes with personal notes from the horse-loving author and illustrator. "Heels down, eyes up, smile. Yes, beam. You are sitting atop a dream."

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)