That's Mine, Horace

by Holly Keller

Horace thought it was the best truck he had even seen. So he stuck it in his pocket and took it home. The only trouble was, it wasn't his...

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Holly Keller is an American author and illustrator of children’s books, celebrated for her warm storytelling and distinctive minimalist cartoon style, often featuring animal protagonists. A lifelong reader and artist, she studied history before turning to illustration, encouraged by a design professor to pursue picture books. Her debut publications introduced a body of work known for gentle humor and emotional insight. Keller’s stories frequently explore themes such as adoption, belonging, friendship, sibling bonds, and coping with loss, offering young readers reassurance alongside entertainment. In addition to writing and illustrating her own titles, she has created artwork for texts by other children’s authors. Her books have received numerous honors and remain widely appreciated for their clarity, empathy, and timeless appeal.

Reviews

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about Horace and how his conscience affected him when he took a cool truck he found on the playground.

I thought his friend Walter and the teacher handled it well.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: That’s Mine, Horace (E KEL)

Author: Keller, Holly

Time Period of Story:

Main Idea: Horace, a little tiger cub, likes an orange truck that he found at school, so he put it in his pocket. It belongs to Walter, a lion cub.
Horace fibs, feels guilty, then is given an opportunity to make things right.

Vocabulary/Special Terms: fib, guilt, conscience (not words in the book, but part of the meaning of the story)

Why would a teacher read this book to a class? Special Education, Guidance type lesson about giving someone a second chance, making things right again (Horace actually does not apologize, though)

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reader truly immerses themselves in Horace's world: finding a cool truck, then being filled with shame and regret when he lies to his teacher about taking his friend's truck, even shutting out the world because Horace doesn't know what to do next. Teacher and mom show trust and belief in Horace's goodness. Walter is extremely cool (too cool for a 5 year old, really) to let Horace keep Walter's truck while Horace is sick. Horace just casually slides the truck back to Walter without apology and resolves the crisis and gets back to playing? Well, I think kids might make up that way sometimes, actually...

[Iman Tabbaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horace becomes ill after he takes a truck from the school yard belonging to his friend Walter. When questioned by his teacher and mother about the truck he fibs to both of them. Walter writes Horace a letter giving him permission to keep the truck until he is well, even though he knows Horace took it without permission. Horace brings it back to Walter at school the next day.

This book is a great way to start a discussion about values, honesty, and friendship, and even forgiveness all significant to social development. Concepts such as: kindness and guilt can be introduced to children with this book.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good example of how lying can really make you sick! Horace does not feel well after he takes a truck and tells a fib. The story takes a turn for the better though.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a pretty basic story about telling a lie and feeling bad about it. Cute illustrations and a happy ending.

[Little Champs]

2281

[Jordyn Gordon]

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