Custer

by Deborah King

Custer, a horse whose only friends growing up were cows, is reluctant to act like a horse at his new riding school until he meets a wild filly named Minto

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Horses

1 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 1992

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and I think it's really effective as it portrays situations and emotions through the horses which could make it more effective for some children. Custer feels different and like he doesn't fit in when he moves to a riding stables as he is used to being with the cows on the farm at home. He feels all sad, lonely and frightened until another pony Minto comes along who is also scared after her past experiences. Together they form a friendship and help each other to feel loved and included and like they finally fit in as horses. Children could relate to these emotions and experiences as sometimes they might feel lonely and like the don't fit in at first. The illustrations are really beautiful and portray texture and emotions brilliantly, providing real depth to the book. There is more text than some picture books, but this could either be used as a read aloud text or with slightly older readers transitioning onto more prose. There is also some language which might need explaining to some children who aren't familiar with horses and specific terminology, although most of it is self-explanatory. I think it would be good to use with children in Year 2 and above, and could be very popular with children who are interested in horses - I'd have loved this book as a child!

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story of friendship and inclusion. Custer feels different and only fits in with the cows when he is a horse. Custer looks after another horse and begins to learn what it’s like to have a friend and feel loved. I think children could relate to Custer in lots of parts in the book, for example, when he is in the field with the other horses and doesn’t feel like he fits in. The illustrations show the emotion of the animals and could create great discussions. I’d use the book with year 2/3 children. The book is a picture book but with longer paragraphs of text. It could therefore help children who are transitioning to reading longer books or those rely at at readers who are more encouraged by the pictures.

[Jaimie Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Custer is a colt and the son of the finest stallion in the county. But he has no ambition to rise to his heritage, preferring instead to roam the countryside with the cattle. When he's sold to a riding school, he weakens, pining for his cow companions. Even after he is taken to live on a seaside farm, Custer feels no sense of belonging. But his life changes when he befriends Minto, a wild mare brought to the farm. Through their growing friendship, the terrified mare learns to trust others and Custer learns to run free.

The book is based upon real life events and real-life horses. It is notes King's beautiful artwork shifts from the dull greys and browns in Custer's early life then pastel hues of his first wild run at dawn.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite childhood book. I always checked it out at my school's library. I actually thinks it is the reason of how I came to love horses as a young child though I never rode one till I was 8. As a young child after reading this book I knew horses where this amazing thing because of this book. And just today, I got this book in the mail. It's been 10+ years since I last read it and it's still just as beautiful. Love this book and it's art work.

[Cws]

J636.1-Kin