Everything but the Horse

By Holly Hobbie
(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Hardcover, 9780316070195, 32pp.)

Publication Date: October 2010

Categories: Animals - Horses, Animals - Farm Animals

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Autumn 2010 Kids' Next List

“When Holly's family move from their suburban neighborhood to a farm on Middlebury Road, the young girl isn't so sure she'll ever get used to her new home. But gradually, as she gets to know the farm animals, she begins to feel comfortable. Holly's favorite pastime, though, is watching the horses. She spends hours daydreaming about getting a pony of her very own. But Holly's family isn't so sure--they say a horse is too dangerous, too expensive, and too much trouble. But on her birthday, Holly discovers a special surprise waiting for her in the barn--a surprise that just might be better than what she could have dreamed up on her own! Holly Hobbie's lovely recollection of her own childhood is a gentle, beautiful tale that is sure to resonant with young horse lovers! With soft watercolor illustrations and Hobbie's characteristically wonderful storytelling, this is a fantastic story to share with the whole family!”

-- Megan Graves, Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA

Description

This gorgeous, resonant tale is a beautiful recollection from Holly Hobbie's own childhood about her love affair with horses.When Holly's family moves from the city to the countryside, she's scared of this new world at first, but gradually comes to love the animals she encounters. Soon she is drawing the horses in the local pastures obsessively, hinting to her parents what she wants more than anything. But will her one wish ever come true?

About the Author

Holly Hobbie has worked as an artist for more than thirty years and is the author of ten previous and highly acclaimed Toot & Puddle picture books, as well as Fanny, Fanny & Annabelle, and an illustrated memoir, The Art of Holly Hobbie.

Praise For Everything but the Horse…

A Smithsonian 2010 Notable Book for Children

"Beautifully depicts a time when life for a young farm girl was filled with rustic barns, fields, and delightful animals, while [Hobbie's] heartwarming text conveys a sense of innocence and dreams. Cozy as a grandmother's quilt, this book will have adults reminiscing and children dreaming."
-School Library Journal, starred review

"Hobbie offers an affecting yet never sentimental memoir... [that] perfectly balances realistic watercolor renderings... with comical spot illustrations of herself and her mischievous brothers.... The joyful surprise ending may puzzle younger readers, but adults will recognize the authenticity of a youthful change of heart."
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Both the vivid text and the appealing ink-and-watercolor illustrations are well calibrated to hold children's interest. This engaging picture book, one of the few offering a realistic story with a rural setting, will speak to horse-crazy kids everywhere."
-Booklist

"The author's watercolor illustrations are nuanced and lovely, as always, adding to the narrative."
-Kirkus Reviews

This book is on these lists:

BookShop by Juniebelleseven
kids by bayselkie
Tricia rutledge's Wish List by tricia rutledge

All lists >>

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