  | Horse called Now Author: Doyle, Ruth | |
| Price: $23.08 | ||
Summary:
Now the Horse loves to stand in her field of green and admire the beauty of nature. The birds are singing, the crickets are chattering, what else could he wish for? But for the other animals in the farmyard, every sound and shadow signals threat and danger. Is Rabbit being chased by a hungry Fox? And is a swooping Magpie trying to catch Hen's chicks? How can Now be so brave when there are so many things to worry about? When a thunderstorm arrives, Now leads the animals to shelter in a barn, where they come face to face with their fears, and discover that not everything is as frightening as it seems.
| Illustrator: | Finkeldey, Alexandra |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/24)
School Library Journal (07/01/24)
Booklist (+) (06/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2024 K-Gr 4—In this gently reassuring fablelike story, a wise horse guides other farm animals through the process of reducing anxiety and being present in the moment. Rabbits fear the threat of a fox, a hen worries about a magpie swooping in, and sheep fret that the farmer's new dog may mistreat them—but none of those concerns come to fruition. In fact, readers are reminded to look beyond assumptions when a thunderstorm breaks and the "scary" animals end up being just as sympathetic and vulnerable as the initial cast of endearing creatures. Doyle's prose is beautiful and descriptive, introducing young readers to a lovely and sophisticated use of language through onomatopoeia, similes, and a rich vocabulary. Finkeldey's expansive illustrations lend a vintage charm reminiscent of Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire's work. Rendered with textured brushstrokes, animal faces are expressive, and an effective use of color highlights the positive and negative emotions that play out in the narrative. Although anxiety may be difficult to overcome, the horse's lessons, particularly the mantra "At this moment, all is well," provide useful tools for readers of all ages to mitigate tense moments and cope with fears. VERDICT This gentle animal story equips readers with strategies to combat anxiety. An excellent choice for story times about feelings or a comforting bedtime story.—Allison Tran - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2024 *Starred Review* Grazing in a meadow, a horse named Now has several visitors. Rabbit and her babies arrive, frightened by a red flash that might have been Fox. After asking a few questions, Now reassures them, saying, “At this moment, all is well,” and inviting them to eat some dandelions. Next, Hen and her chicks squawk for help, terrified that Magpie might snatch them. Now listens to them, calms them, and suggests they hunt for worms. When Sheep and her lambs arrive, terrified by rumors of Farmer’s new dog, Now comforts them too. A thunderstorm drives them all into the barn, where they meet Fox, Magpie, and New Dog, who are not scary after all. By questioning Now, the animals learn how she deals with fear. As the storm rumbles away, she reassures them, “All is well.” The narrative is beautifully written, well attuned to the natural world, and sensitive to the emotions that the animals are experiencing. The illustrations show the rising winds and driving rain as well as the calm scenes within the dimly lit barn, depicting the characters and their emotions in shades of black, white, and blue/gray. An expressive picture book that suggests practical ways of managing fears while telling a story worth reading and rereading. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
