Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Review: Race The Wild Wind, A Story of the Sable Island Horses


By: Sandra Markle
Paintings by: Layne Johnson
Published by: Bloomsbury Kids
Released on: July 19th, 2011
Source: from publisher to review
Ages: 6 & up
3 stars- It's A Good Read

From acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle comes a fascinating survival story about the wild horses of Sable Island. During a shipwreck, a young stallion leads a band of horses to safety on an arc of golden land-Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia. In gorgeously illustrated panoramic views, readers will see how the herd quickly adapted to harsh winters before the warmth of spring brought new life and new foals. But when a severe summer storm puts the horses in danger once again, only by racing the wild wind can they survive the trials of nature in their new home.

This is a book that horse lovers will really enjoy. Inspired by the real life Sable Island horses (which you can read more about here), author Saundra Markle does a wonderful job at telling the story of what it must have been like for the first horses on the Island.

Unlike domesticated horses, the Sable Island horses roam freely with no human contact. It's a fascinating story to read about the diverse weather conditions on the island and to see how resilient these animals are. Along with the story are some amazing pictures by artist Layne Johnson. This book is both an informative read, it's also a fantastic picture book. I think this book is a great read to have at home and a great fit for teachers who are studying horses or Island life for animals.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~