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Little Horse
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.
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.
45 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2002
About the author
Betsy Byars
162 books165 followersBetsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 24, 2019
Over the many decades of her award-winning career, Betsy Byars teamed with numerous outstanding illustrators. The soft sweetness of David McPhail's style suits her especially well, as evidenced by Little Horse. Born in a sheltered valley where no human has set foot, Little Horse spends his days frolicking with other colts, and snuggles beside his mother to sleep in their cave at night. It's an idyllic existence, until one day Little Horse's curiosity gets the best of him. Wandering to a stream for a refreshing drink of water, the white colt's hooves slip and he tumbles in, where the current rapidly carries him away. As his home vanishes around the bend, Little Horse fears what will become of him without his mother's protection.
Nature isn't always kind to Little Horse as it was in the valley. He plunges over a waterfall, a fright that luckily leaves him unharmed. He washes up on an island, but it isn't as safe as his old home; a predatory bird stalks the colt, nearly making off with him into the sky until Little Horse abandons any hope for a future on the island and dives back into the swirling stream. He eventually finds himself in a field of flowers taller than he is, and takes refuge in a cave much like the one he shared with his mother, but a lupine predator makes staying here impossible. Seemingly doomed to die by the creature's fangs, Little Horse is rescued by a family of giants who offers him a clean, safe home. Someday he'll return to his mother in the sweet valley of his birth, Little Horse vows. For now, he's content to be alive.
Little Horse is an offbeat story. His true size is hinted at from early on, but isn't made obvious until the final pages. What kind of animal is he, and are there more like him and his mother? The narrative is conspicuously incomplete, but continues in Little Horse on His Own. I like the feel of the writing, and David McPhail's artwork is lovely; I'm rating Little Horse one and a half stars, and would at least round up to two if the story answered more of the questions it raises, felt even moderately self-contained, or if there were more zing to the narrative. I recommend many Betsy Byars titles ahead of this one, but Little Horse isn't a bad book.
Nature isn't always kind to Little Horse as it was in the valley. He plunges over a waterfall, a fright that luckily leaves him unharmed. He washes up on an island, but it isn't as safe as his old home; a predatory bird stalks the colt, nearly making off with him into the sky until Little Horse abandons any hope for a future on the island and dives back into the swirling stream. He eventually finds himself in a field of flowers taller than he is, and takes refuge in a cave much like the one he shared with his mother, but a lupine predator makes staying here impossible. Seemingly doomed to die by the creature's fangs, Little Horse is rescued by a family of giants who offers him a clean, safe home. Someday he'll return to his mother in the sweet valley of his birth, Little Horse vows. For now, he's content to be alive.
Little Horse is an offbeat story. His true size is hinted at from early on, but isn't made obvious until the final pages. What kind of animal is he, and are there more like him and his mother? The narrative is conspicuously incomplete, but continues in Little Horse on His Own. I like the feel of the writing, and David McPhail's artwork is lovely; I'm rating Little Horse one and a half stars, and would at least round up to two if the story answered more of the questions it raises, felt even moderately self-contained, or if there were more zing to the narrative. I recommend many Betsy Byars titles ahead of this one, but Little Horse isn't a bad book.
June 3, 2015
This was a MUCH better book than Betsy Byars' most famous book, The Summer of the Swans. It was imaginative (how about if horses were the size of hamsters?) and, despite the oh-so-cute cover, has some nicely dark moments.
I know this book isn't for 45-year-olds (like me) but it was such a nice way to relax after reading about the Roman Empire, the Holocaust, the Stanford Prison Experiment and other jolly things like that.
I know this book isn't for 45-year-olds (like me) but it was such a nice way to relax after reading about the Roman Empire, the Holocaust, the Stanford Prison Experiment and other jolly things like that.
April 10, 2013
We (my 5 and 3 year old) absolutely loved this book! It kept their attention because the chapters were short and there was suspense! They could hardly wait to see what would happen to Little Horse next. My 3 year old especially liked the pictures. They were great for helping her visualize the story.
March 1, 2023
My six year old son loved this book. He liked the pictures especially and how they went along with the story. He pointed out certain illustrations and moments that were either endearing or thrilling (or cute, in his words). It was an easy bedtime story to share together in about two or three nights.
September 11, 2010
6 year old "I didn't like the story"
July 19, 2022
The Little Horse series came to me when I tripped upon it at the library as it was written by one of the authors who appeared prominently in my childhood reading years. As a result I chose to step out in reading this particular series.
First of all the story gives a brief introduction to its titular character although one doesn't really get much of his personality from the story. Instead the plot explores what happens when through unfortunate circumstances he is removed from the only home he knows.
The story has been completed with black-and-white illustrations that are whimsical and cute while helping the author's detailed writing.
In the end it was rather a cute story and one that would make for a nice quick bedtime story for those whose children enjoy horses but not for those who desire a more solid book to read.
First of all the story gives a brief introduction to its titular character although one doesn't really get much of his personality from the story. Instead the plot explores what happens when through unfortunate circumstances he is removed from the only home he knows.
The story has been completed with black-and-white illustrations that are whimsical and cute while helping the author's detailed writing.
In the end it was rather a cute story and one that would make for a nice quick bedtime story for those whose children enjoy horses but not for those who desire a more solid book to read.
December 21, 2021
Read this to my three year old daughter. It was very cute, fast paced and definitely kept my preschooler entertained. She was asking great questions about the plot, and was sympathizing with little horse. Definitely a great book for littles!
June 26, 2017
Part 1 of the bearable-to-read children's horse book.
May 24, 2018
Good story with cute illustrations. The ending is kind of sad as the little horse never made it back to his mum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2022
My daughter loved this so much that she was hoping for a sequel.
December 23, 2022
Cute, simple, good for little kids.
September 4, 2023
One part charming, one part weird, one part the stuff of toddler's nightmares.
October 23, 2026
What a sweet little book! I am a fan of David McPhail's illustrations. They made this story so delightful.
January 3, 2011
This is an unusual story about horses. We didn't realize at first just how small the "Little Horse" is, but it made for an interesting tale. There was drama and suspense and a (mostly) happy ending. We read this one together at one time, but this would be a great book to read for children who are just starting chapter books. With twelve (very short) chapters, children will be encouraged to read more.
September 8, 2013
Interesting. Fantasy tale about a little horse swept away from its family into the real world. Very sweet, almost too saccharine for my taste.
Pictures support the text - lovely pictures too!
Definitely for younger readers, especially girls.
Pictures support the text - lovely pictures too!
Definitely for younger readers, especially girls.
June 2, 2016
Spoiler alert. My boys enjoyed this one. Each short chapter was a cliff hanger. I really didn't like the way it ended - little horse is sepaeated from his mother at the beginning and never makes it back home.
May 26, 2012
Notes:
cute cover
terrible book - manic pace, weird plot
cute cover
terrible book - manic pace, weird plot
February 20, 2013
Luke's review: I loved that this book was about horses and adventures. I always like adventures.
May 9, 2013
Good book for students just beginning chapter books.
March 14, 2015
Little horse falls into the stream by accident. The current pulls him far away from his home.
In this book Little Horse has to get away from a eagle or hawk. I like this book a lot.
In this book Little Horse has to get away from a eagle or hawk. I like this book a lot.
March 21, 2016
Meh. The kids liked it fine, but it wasn't my favorite.
October 13, 2008
It was a cute story.
October 26, 2012
Boring for mom but great introduction for my first grader to read a chapter book on her own.
April 12, 2018
This was cute. A great book for beginning chapter book readers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews