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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I keep thinking about this book and its gorgeous illustrations weeks after I finished it. I was lucky enough to have horses around to ride as a kid growing up in rural Texas but they were never my own, and I can't count the number of imaginary horse pals I pretended to have -- Marino really captures that same feeling of magic and longing. In fact, every year at Christmas when my dad (the reason I love horses) would unwrap his gifts, he'd ask "Is it a pony?!" and I wish I could share this book with him because I think he'd have a soft spot for it, too.
Calming and empowering all at once. Feels Caldecottish!!
The text is simple but powerful. The illustrations, right from the end papers, are to swoon over. I'm not exaggerating. I reread it at least three times and each time I wanted to lose myself in these colour washes. Told in silhouette and first a young person imagines how their life would be different if only they had a horse. Make sure you read this. It's glorious!
A joy to read this one to my daughter. I'll often hear, upon finishing, "read it AGAIN!".
I oblige.
I oblige.
This poetic picture book dreams of having a horse. The entire book is dreamy and soft, a more spiritual and sense-filled look at horses than the reality of barns and saddles. In the images, the little girl meets a horse in a field and offers him the largest apple she can find. There are moments of shyness and quiet as the two meet. They admire one another’s qualities of strength and gentleness. The little girl does ride the horse but not so easily until they become better friends. Then they head out together to meet other horses. The illustrations are done entirely in silhouettes filled with rich watercolor washes. The hair of the little girl mirrors that of the horse’s mane and also the blades of grass in the field around them. A beautiful dream of a picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
If I Had a Horse is the story of a young child musing about all the things they could do if the child had a horse. The pictures are lovely silouettes, with bright painted color, which emphasize the universality of the love of children and horses.
