Post by Claire on Feb 28, 2015 14:36:36 GMT 1
White Prince the Arabian Horse by Sanford Tousey
SUMMARY:
This is a historical pony story aimed at younger readers. It is lavishly illustrated throughout. Young Alf falls in love with an Arabian colt when he visits the circus. He is overjoyed when the colt strays to the family ranch and he is allowed to look after him until the circus arrive back in town. Together with his Indian pal, Red Feather, he teaches Prince to do lots of tricks. But then the circus comes back - will the boys have to say goodbye forever to their equine friend?
REVIEW:
A fairly simple, although well written story, which is for the most part gentle and innocent. However a couple of rather discomforting incidents occur which I donβt feel sit well in a book for younger children. When a horse thief appears on the scene the book tells of how horse thieves are hung from nearby trees if they are caught, and the horse thief eventually dies from a hoof in the face! This note of violence rather jars with the gentle tone of the rest of the story, especially as the author is keen to point out that both the circus owners and the boys treat the animals kindly. However I am sure that boys in particular will probably enjoy that rather gruesome angle! In fact, having two male lead characters, this is a good book for pony loving younger boys in a genre which does not provide much reading for such.
The book also manages to avoid the cliches of cruel circus owners and that of the Cowboy and Indian. Its nice to see a book where an Indian boy is treated as an equal by a white boy.
Finally, the story is greatly enhanced by the beautiful colour and black and white pictures throughout. It's not a book to miss for those who love great illustrations and collectors will love looking at them time and time again.
3 HORSESHOES (GOOD)
SUMMARY:
This is a historical pony story aimed at younger readers. It is lavishly illustrated throughout. Young Alf falls in love with an Arabian colt when he visits the circus. He is overjoyed when the colt strays to the family ranch and he is allowed to look after him until the circus arrive back in town. Together with his Indian pal, Red Feather, he teaches Prince to do lots of tricks. But then the circus comes back - will the boys have to say goodbye forever to their equine friend?
REVIEW:
A fairly simple, although well written story, which is for the most part gentle and innocent. However a couple of rather discomforting incidents occur which I donβt feel sit well in a book for younger children. When a horse thief appears on the scene the book tells of how horse thieves are hung from nearby trees if they are caught, and the horse thief eventually dies from a hoof in the face! This note of violence rather jars with the gentle tone of the rest of the story, especially as the author is keen to point out that both the circus owners and the boys treat the animals kindly. However I am sure that boys in particular will probably enjoy that rather gruesome angle! In fact, having two male lead characters, this is a good book for pony loving younger boys in a genre which does not provide much reading for such.
The book also manages to avoid the cliches of cruel circus owners and that of the Cowboy and Indian. Its nice to see a book where an Indian boy is treated as an equal by a white boy.
Finally, the story is greatly enhanced by the beautiful colour and black and white pictures throughout. It's not a book to miss for those who love great illustrations and collectors will love looking at them time and time again.
3 HORSESHOES (GOOD)