Running with the Horses

by Alison Lester

Nina and her father live in a beautiful riding school famous for their Lippizaners--precious, rare performing horses.  Nina loves the horses that her father looks after, but she also loves Zelda, one of the old carriage horses who she sneaks out to see.  It's a perfect world for a little girl, although she has to compete with her father's work for his attention.  But a war is coming, one that will threaten their lives and the very existence of the school.  When the city is under attack, Nina and Father are in charge of fleeing with the horses to a safe place across the border, but can they pass enemy soldiers, bombed out bridges and the fearsome cold of the Alps to get there?  And can Nina save her beloved Zelda, too?

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, War, Horses, Historical, World War II

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2009

About the author

Has a son Lachie Hume, who is also a published children's book author.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Am a big Alison Lester fan, and this book did not disappoint.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story about a girl and her father who rescue some of the Lippizaner horses of the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II. Nina's father works with the horses. One day Nina discovers that her school is closed, and all the cab-pulling horses have disappeared except for old Zelda. When she tells her father, he realizes they must flee with the last four horses that night. With gunfire in the distance, Nina insists on taking Zelda, which proves to be a blessing in disguise. They head out of the city, toward the mountains, on the other side of which is Nina's grandparents' house and safety. I loved the illustrations, which at times looked like drawings and at times like photos to which drawings had been added. In all the pictures, Nina, her father, Karl the groom, and the horses are drawn in black and white, like ghosts trying to spirit themselves away to safety. A note at the end of the book points out that this story is a work a fiction, and is not historical except that the real Lippizaner horses, were, indeed, rescued during World War II. I wish Lester had added more of the real story of the horses in her note. I highly recommend this to horse- and adventure-loving children everywhere.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy to experience this beautiful little chapter book by Alison Lester of “Noni the Pony” fame. The slim volume is beautifully bound in blue with silver lettering on the cover and has charming endpapers. It also incorporates gorgeous black and white sketches and emotion-filled, full colour, double page illustrations for each short chapter.

Alison Lester’s love of horses shines through in this entry level historical fiction novel which retells the story of the daring rescue and escape of the beautiful Lippzanier horses from the Spanish Riding Academy during WW2. What an adventure in extraordinarily challenging circumstances for Nina a young girl, her father, Viktor, the Stable Master and the beautiful horses. The real star of the story is Zelda, an old cab horse, who Nina insists should also travel with them. Reluctantly, her father agrees despite fearing Zelda will put them all at risk and is unlikely to survive the dangerous journey over the alps. Young readers who have the maturity to cope with the war time theme will really enjoy this beautiful little story.

[clivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not expect to tear up reading this, but I did. A historical fiction read for kids about saving horses with a young girl as the lead character? Yes, please. One of the first children's books I've come across that reads more like a novel. While it's inspired by the rescue of the Lipizzaner stallions during WWII, the story is totally fictional. But I didn't mind one bit. Intriguing illustrations, too, blending photographs and sketches.

[Denise Rawling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful tale from this master storyteller: layered but not too complex the story stays focussed on the immediate action, warm hearted but never sentimental her love of horses permeates this simple adventure that has all the right touches of excitement, daring-do, homecoming, friendship and loyalty. Beautiful illustrations go hand in glove with story.

[Chenoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply told and beautifully illustrated story that tells the reader firstly about the relationship between a girl and a horse, and secondly about the upheaval and terror of a family escaping a war. Lester writes in a way that you have exactly the words you need to understand and feel what is happening, without explicitly outlining the events. A lovely book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Springfield)
Nice, but implausible. A little long for a picture-book. Thank goodness the note makes clear the connection to history. I did like the story, and the art, and think children will too.

[Rachel Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am embracing reading and enjoying children's books with my kids. This is a lovely story for children who are slightly more established readers, with an exciting story based in history, rich with love for animals and amazing, unique illustrations. I loved this book!

[Debbie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with very evocative illustrations. Alison Lester is a master of children's storytelling and this books brings alive the dangers of war and the bravery some people, and animals display in the face it. Excellent read for primary students.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling story of a young girl escaping Vienna on horseback during a war. The old horse Zelda leads the way. Interesting illustrations blending historical photographs with paintings. Sorry to see this one on the library discard pile. Don’t little girls still love horses?

[Briony Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to myself this morning because I felt like it. One of my favourite children books and one of my favourite authors.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a girl and her horse as they flee the Spanish riding school in Vienna with the lipizzaners.

[Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo butterful the picters the story best bedtime story ever

[Brianna]

horses, war, danger, brave

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated children’s book.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and attractive illustrations.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long to share in storytime, but I can see this appealing to older horse-loving kids.

[Jessica Joines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book, quite entertaining and kind.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow the harrowing rescue of the Lipizzaner horses during World War II in this picture book. The book is nonfiction woven with fiction, seen through the eyes of a fictional character, Nina, the daughter of the stablemaster at the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna. As the war came closer to Vienna, Nina’s school was closed and people were fleeing the city. To save the last four stallions, Nina would have to ride over the Alps with her father. But she could not leave her favorite old cab horse, Zelda, behind in the deserted city. So Nina rode Zelda, following her father and the horses, not knowing the dangers that she and Zelda would face together as they crossed the Alps to safety.

Lester has created a picture book that successfully marries fiction with history, giving young readers a glimpse of the dangers of the War as well as the bravery that it created. Nina is a ten-year-old whose care for her horse and courage during the adventure will inspire. The book does have more text than many picture books, making it more appropriate for a slightly older audience, one which is more likely to understand the historical aspect of the book better as well.

The illustrations are a very attractive mix of photographs and pencil drawings. The characters are shown in black and white throughout, contrasted with the colored backgrounds. This creates a unique look that has the people in clear relief from their surroundings.

A look at a moment in history that has the appeal of horses and a young heroine as well. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alison Lester gives a historical fiction account of the rescue of the dancing Lipizzaner stallions during World War II. Nina and her father live in Europe and, as the fighting from the war creeps closer to their town, they are faced with the challenge of saving the last of the Lipizzaner horses. Along with a groomsman and Zelda, an old cab horse, they cross the mountains into safety. The story is tense and the small group of people and horses face many dangers.

I wish that the story was a bit more historically accurate and included a few more details, such as the location of the Royal Academy of Dancing Horses or the mountain range that they crossed. Recommended for grades 3 - 5, horse lovers in particular will like this picture book.

The illustrations for this story are also quite stylized. The backgrounds are done in muted colors but the characters and horses are done in black and white pencil (crayon?). I enjoyed this contrast and found it an interesting complement to the story, though I know that others found the style a bit awkward.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running with Horses is a fictional story about the rescue of the Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II. In the story Nina and her father attempt to get to safety while riding on the old horse Zelda. Zelda gets weary during the trip and Nina and her father almost have to leave her behind.

“’Come, Nina,’ Victor said. ‘We must keep riding.’ He ran a hand along the old mare’s neck. ‘I hope she will be all right.’

As they began their descent down the other side of the mountain, the snow was almost up to the horses’ bellies. Nina’s feet felt frozen in her sodden boots, and Zelda’s steps were weak and faltering.”

[Maureen Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just re-read this fine picture book about a Viennese girl, Nina, who must evacuate Austria with her father & four Lippizaners during WWII. At Nina's behest, they take an abandoned mare who is instrumental to their safe passage. While this story has obvious appeal to the horsey set, its adventure, pathos (yes! In a picture book!) & beautiful mixed-media illustrstions will draw in many readers.
I will definitely use this as a read aloud with the youngers at my school when the olders are studying modern Eurasia.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting fictional story based on true events: the rescue of Lippizaners during WWII. However, I was not quite as excited about the illustrations. The drawings of the horses are a bit more stylistic than the realism of the horses in the other horse books for this month. There are black and white drawings on top of paintings and sometimes a photograph. A young girl, her father, and another groom rescue four Lippizaners and one old cab horse. And the story of the brave cab horse who could is heartwarming.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really captivating artwork, and a very interesting story (about Lippizaners - precious, rare performing horses). But the book is extremely text heavy, so in my mind, a great book for a parent to read to a child (but not necessarily one that a child will want to read on their own). The artwork is beautiful enough to keep young eyes on the pages, though...

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horse lovers will appreciate this story about some Lippizaner horses being whisked away from Austria's Winter Palace at the onset of WWII. The girl protagonist picks up an unglamorous cab horse along the way who ends up being the hero. Unique pencil drawings bumped up against actual photos of Vienna and the Austrian Alps(?) have a beautiful and sometimes haunting quality.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book, if maybe a touch too sentimental and predictable. I like the art style, with its black-and-white illustrations of characters, color backgrounds, and the occasional inclusion of seeming photographs in the background details. It would be nice if it were a true story and not merely based on one, but history is not so obliging.

[Megan G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is my favourite book I have ever read and I have read lots of books. This book shows the love between you and your horse and that you can always trust your horse to take you as far as he/she can carry/take you ( if the horse trusses you ) still this is a heartwarming story that every girl who loves horses should read.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the illustrations were not my favorite style, I loved this story of a young girl and her father who are trying to save their Lippizaners from the soldiers and war. Nina also wants to save their old horse, Zelda. There are dangers along the way. Will they be able to make it and will Zelda survive the journey?

[Pam Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story inspired by the rescue of stallions in Vienna during the Second World War. I loved the way the suspense built as Nina and her father struggled to escape their town with their loyal old cab horse.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read running with the horses by Alison Lester and it is sad to know that is based on a true story. I have learnt that horses aren't just dumb animals,but can actually save peoples lives.