  | Horse Called Now Author: Doyle, Ruth | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Now the Horse enjoys the singing of the birds, the chattering of the crickets and all the wonders of nature. But Rabbit fears being chased by a fox, and Hen thinks a swooping magpie will catch her chicks. When a thunderstorm arrives, Now leads her friends to shelter . . . where they soon discover that not everything is as frightening as it seems.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/24)
School Library Journal (07/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2024 K-Gr 4—In this gently reassuring fablelike story, a wise horse guides other farm animals through the process of reducing anxiety and being present in the moment. Rabbits fear the threat of a fox, a hen worries about a magpie swooping in, and sheep fret that the farmer's new dog may mistreat them—but none of those concerns come to fruition. In fact, readers are reminded to look beyond assumptions when a thunderstorm breaks and the "scary" animals end up being just as sympathetic and vulnerable as the initial cast of endearing creatures. Doyle's prose is beautiful and descriptive, introducing young readers to a lovely and sophisticated use of language through onomatopoeia, similes, and a rich vocabulary. Finkeldey's expansive illustrations lend a vintage charm reminiscent of Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire's work. Rendered with textured brushstrokes, animal faces are expressive, and an effective use of color highlights the positive and negative emotions that play out in the narrative. Although anxiety may be difficult to overcome, the horse's lessons, particularly the mantra "At this moment, all is well," provide useful tools for readers of all ages to mitigate tense moments and cope with fears. VERDICT This gentle animal story equips readers with strategies to combat anxiety. An excellent choice for story times about feelings or a comforting bedtime story.—Allison Tran - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
