On the Day the Horse Got Out

by Audrey Helen Weber

On the day the horse got out . . 
the bells all rang,
the birds flew south,
the rabbit dug a bit too deep,
and the beetle cried out in its sleep...
 
But what happened to the horse? Did she find what she was looking for? Drawing on the influence of nursery rhymes, fables, folklore, folk art, and mythology—and combined with Audrey Helen Weber's own playful and surreal sensibility—here is a journey that tells a new story with every read.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Horses, Nursery Rhymes

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Audrey Helen Weber is an artist, picture book author and freelance illustrator mostly making small paintings on paper with gouache, watercolor, and acrylic paints.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonsensical story about what happens to an assortment of creatures and nature after the horse got out.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun! Fun! Fun!

On the Day the Horse Got Out is a lively, nonsensical hardcover picture book with oodles of imagination. The horse getting out causes all kinds of things to happen—bells ring, eggs break, ants play, children dance, and much more. These silly and mystifying results of the horse getting out are amusing.

The illustrations and rhythmic, rhyming text make this book entertaining for little ones, (and for me as well!) It’s a great addition to a child’s, grandparent’s or caregiver’s library.

With timeless, highly detailed illustrations, this adventurous and imaginative children’s book is on my 2021 favorites list—primarily because of how fun it is to read to my toddler grandson.

☆☆☆☆☆
A 2021 Favorite!

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparse text, engaging illustrations, repetition, and a uniquely mild absurdity. What's not to love? Would read at a storytime or toddlertime.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As and adult, I appreciated the art and nostalgic feel of the rhyme -- but my five year old kept asking "why?" so it might not be a good choice for a storytime full of curious toddlers and preschoolers.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and silly with vintage feel. And my vintage, I mean, 1800's vintage picture book (nursery rhyme or primer).

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're reading reviews and see a picture book described as "visually stunning, highly imaginative, and delightfully baffling" (Kirkus) and as blending "suspense and nonsense" (the book flap), I don't know about you, but I've got to read that book.

And I'm so glad I finally did! (My delay is no reflection of the book but rather my TBR piles, which constantly surround me like modern-day, ever-changing Corinthian columns.)

This book is (from the title, not surprisingly) about a horse who gets out and the consequences of that escape--well, loosely (in every sense of the word). It's also very interpretative and surreal in nature, reading as much like a poem with lots to chew over as a picture book narrative. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and will entrance readers, both young and young-at-heart.

While it doesn't really "rhyme" in the strictest sense of the word, it definitely reads like song lyrics or a nursery rhyme, making it an excellent option for a read-aloud.

This is one horse I'm glad got out.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author/artist has debuted with this title. It’s a fun nonsense story with the repeated refrain, “Watch out, watch out the horse is out”. The very pale yellow backgrounds instead of white in the illustrations is very pleasing to the eye and reminds me of a bright sunny day. Especially I am fond of the illustrations for the phrases “for the ants played house” and “the clouded skipper lost a wing”.
And yes according to author information provided, Audrey Weber, worked at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. I actually see some similarity to Carle’s illustrations. Look at the front and back illustrations on the inside of the book cover as well as the way the colors have an appearance of Carle’s application. Look especially at the grass for this.
Can’t wait to see Weber’s next title coming in 2022.

[Erin]

The horse got out, and many creatures get themselves into various tizzies, but where is the horse? What is even happening? What on earth is a Clouded Skipper and where is its dismantled body? (I did look this one up, and a Clouded Skipper is a kind of butterfly. Still couldn't find it on the page.) Did the dragon just bite off the rabbit's head? What happened to the horse?

In the context of a nursery rhyme, this has an enchanting rhythm and a chorus-able refrain. The illustrations draw you in with both clarity and creepiness. There is both charm here, and a kind of wtf-ness that pervades everything to do with children. Go ahead and go along with it: get swept up and shout "watch out, watch out, the horse is out!"

[charlene.librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jacket flap has it right describing Weber's debut as one that "masterfully blends suspense and nonsense, imaginative artwork, and a flawless rhythm that evokes the most beloved read-aloud classics. There is a certain whimsy along with all the elements of nature from little flies by the horse to flowers, insects, a clouded skipper butterfly, dragon, eagle, wind, comet, and stars. The rhythm and rhyme of the text lends a fine element along with the repeating "Watch out, watch out, the horse is out!" Very enjoyable.

[Myles Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one but I can't figure out the lyrical rhythm yet. Would be great for a storytime with older toddlers and preschoolers. The repeating chorus is fun to yell out loud and each verse is full of wonderfully ridiculous imagery. The images are full page too so it makes for a great opportunity to ask your young reader about what they see happening on the page because there are very few words.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhythmic poetry without rhyming, suspense and nonsense. Simple art (with usually plain backgrounds), and only one phrase per page, yet I read it multiple times and found something new each time. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first, but it grew on me with each succeeding reading. This would encourage lots of open-ended questions and discussion. Another reader called a lot of the pictures Monty Pythonesque.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make for fun reading out loud time together with toddlers. The artwork is bright and fun and the writing is lyrical and has a fun repeating line to chant together. I imagine myself asking my little readers, "What do you think happened to the horse?" after finishing this delightful adventure to encourage imaginations.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely more on the artistic side rather than the plotline side. It felt like reading a nursery rhyme, with the nonsensical elements and the classic-feeling artwork. I like the repeated phrases ("Watch out, watch out, the horse is out!"). It was lovely and I enjoyed it even though I don't think it has to make sense. And the color palette was really charming and interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up from the shelving cart. The whimsical, folk style of art appealed as did the continuing shouted refrain: "WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT, the horse it out!" The rhymes throughout are a bit uneven though not so bad as to annoy me if I wanted to read it for storytime. I think that children would enjoy joining in the refrain and the whimsy would be something novel.

[The Blossoming Bibliophiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This imaginative and quirky story, tells the sometimes nonsensical happenings on the day that the horse got out! Reminiscent of classic nursery rhymes, this whimsical story is sure to capture your child’s imagination and have them questioning how and why the horse got out!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book with incredible details that will have readers looking through pages again and again. Readers will love following along saying “watch out, watch out, the horse is out!” during a story time.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book that somehow manages to be incredibly reminiscent of old nursery rhymes. Unfortunately, like some old nursery rhymes, the ending didn't have much closure, but the book is still put together so well that I'll be keeping Audrey on my radar.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.H. Weber's art has been dominating my Pinterest feed for over a year. And rejoice, the algorithm gods have brought us together again. Strong rhyme scheme with verse repetition will work well for sharing aloud and gentle surreal watercolors will encourage return visits to explore the pages.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Audrey Helen Webber's art, so I was excited to read this. The illustrations are glorious and the story is whimsical. I did feel, however, like it just ended abruptly. The kids even asked me why the story "just stopped."

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect story for a toddler story time!!!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pastel-hued book brings to mind the gentle surrealism of classic Sesame Street shorts such as "Daddy Dear" and "The Madrigal Alphabet."

[Laura Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. Not sure why not...

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. Lovely artwork, a cute and at sometimes weird story, and overall one of those books where you think, "this one has staying power."

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, whimsical, and lovely.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is definitely weird. I don't know why, but I really like it!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting things happen when the horse gets out.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my jam but good read-aloud energy

[Cathy Ogren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical book that young readers are sure to love.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, old fashioned feel. Delightful repetitive text for a storytime.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will be a fun read-aloud but maybe one of those books where grown-ups like the artwork more than kids?