Little Horse

REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker When I first read Little Horse on His Own, which has been reviewed in a previous edition of Stories for Children, I did not know that it was a sequel until I did some research for writing the review. While in the library not long ago, I found the original. Like its sequel, Little Horse is an early chapter book and tells the story of how Little Horse, who lives in a valley with other little horses, accidentally falls into a stream that carries him away from his home. He first lands on an island where a giant hawk swoops down on him. Heading back into the water, he reaches land again and finds himself in a forest, but instead of the little trees with which he is familiar in his home valley, it is a forest of colorful flowers. Frightened by a dog, he tries to flee but is picked up by a hand which tucks him inside the dark, warm pocket of a pair of overalls and takes him to a farm where there are other horses, but they are giants compared to him. His new home is a toy stall in a little boy's room. However, he is already dreaming about his journey back to his home. This is obviously a quasi-fantasy book, but small children, who have to live in a society where so much is made for larger adults, should be able to identify with Little Horse's predicament of finding himeself in a world where everything is huge.

I have been trying to find stories my 8 year old will enjoy reading. This was a winner and she wants the next book. She usually doesn't like to read , this gave her confidence since the words were simple and the "chapters" were short enough to not intimidate her. Just what she needs to work up to her potential.

This is a great book for beginner chapter readers. IT is also good for children with Visual problems for the words are large enough and the Book has enough space between sentences which is a bonus.