Synopsis
Can Little Horse find his place in the big world?
After accidentally falling into a stream, Little Horse fights the swift current that carries him farther and farther from the valley where he was born.
When he finally manages to scramble ashore, a giant bird swoops down on him. Little Horse runs for cover in a forest of flowers only to have a giant paw pin him to the ground. But a hand gently lifts him up and tucks him inside a warm cave-just like the cave he used to share with his mother.
This tender, fast-moving tale, written by master storyteller Betsy Byars and enhanced by David McPhail's beguiling illustrations, is a true cliff-hanger.
Candice Ransom - Children's Literature
Little Horse lives in a valley with other little horses. One day Little Horse falls into the river and is swept away from his home. He struggles onto an island, but a hawk frightens him back into the water. On land again, Little Horse wanders through an amazing colorful forest, finally falling asleep between the roots of a gigantic tree. He is picked up by a human. His new home is a miniature stall in the little boy's room. Though Little Horse is safe, he dreams of the valley where he was born, leaving the door open for a sequel. In her chapter book fantasy, Byars provides more complex sentence structure than usually found in easy readers. David McPhail's soft pencil drawings are confusing, however. The first illustration shows a tiny horse standing beside reeds. But the hills in the background are out of proportion. Other drawings suggest Little Horse is bigger as well. It isn't until the illustration of the hawk chasing Little Horse that the reader realizes Little Horse is very small. 2002, Henry Holt,