From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Another quality nonfiction title from a veteran author. Gibbons presents an abundance of information about these "powerful, graceful, and majestic animals" in a pleasing and well-organized format. Using succinct and interesting language complemented by colorful and accurate illustrations, she describes the history of horses, their anatomy, how they communicate through sounds and body movement, care and grooming (including the wide range of tools needed to maintain a healthy coat), and different breeds. Finally, readers learn that horses "are good friends and companions." Thoroughbreds, Welsh ponies, Clydesdales, and many others are shown grazing and prancing across the pages, and the carefully placed captions define terminology and often clarify or add to the text. This book will definitely make the winner's circle.Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 3. Using her characteristic informational picture-book format, Gibbons introduces this magnificent animal to young readers. She begins with a history of the species (including its mysterious disappearance from North America), discusses the main sizes and breeds, and explains many of the specialized terms associated with the animal. Gibbons also comments on gaits, behavior (a short twitch of the tail means that a horse is nervous), and the life cycle. Attractive, full-color labeled illustrations fill every page, with many expanding on a particular point in the main text. Report writers won't find an index or even a table of contents, but Gibbons does include an appendix of extra facts, and the book's accessible format will attract browsers as well as legions of young would-be equestrians. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

ANNOTATION

No other animal has captured people's imaginations or changed their lives as has the horse. Their grace, strength, and beauty have made horses sought after as well as useful. What would kings and queens, knights and conquistadores, cowboys and stagecoach drivers, or farmers have done without them? In this informative book Gail Gibbons relates some of the long history that horses and humans have shared. She looks at horse biology and behavior and includes colorful, clear, and accessible diagrams.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Susan Hepler, Ph.D.

With nearly twenty books in print about animal species (polar bears, pits, penguins, rabbits, sea turtles, sharks, spiders, and so forth), Gibbons is an expert at giving young readers an overview plus interesting specifics. A historical overview of Eohippus' evolution and horse appearance, disappearance and reappearance on the North American continent introduces the book. Discussion of the three basic horse sizes, characteristics and terminology (withers, hands, flank, quarters, fetlock), a double page spread about horse feet and horseshoes, followed by a discussion of gait, teeth, and habits suits the curious as well as report writers. Birth of a foal and its growth into a yearling is also covered. Throughout the full color illustrations, Gibbons uses various breeds of horse to discuss general characteristics and labels the breed so that young readers can learn names or ignore them in pursuit of generalities. A table of some well-known purebred horses and another of entertainment events horses typically appear in round out the information. There's little information about working horses on farms, however, and only Clydesdales and Morgans are mentioned. As in her other books, Gibbons ends with some dozen facts about horses or horse lore that might interest the reader. There's no index or table of contents, but the information is easily locatable since pictures and text and the occasional titled information ("Gaits of a Horse," "Teeth") make information easy to find. Slightly easier than the Lauber/Schanzer The True-or-False Book About Horses (HarperCollins, 2000), the two books would complement any horse lover's inquiry into the species. 2003, Holiday House, Ages 4 to 8.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Another quality nonfiction title from a veteran author. Gibbons presents an abundance of information about these "powerful, graceful, and majestic animals" in a pleasing and well-organized format. Using succinct and interesting language complemented by colorful and accurate illustrations, she describes the history of horses, their anatomy, how they communicate through sounds and body movement, care and grooming (including the wide range of tools needed to maintain a healthy coat), and different breeds. Finally, readers learn that horses "are good friends and companions." Thoroughbreds, Welsh ponies, Clydesdales, and many others are shown grazing and prancing across the pages, and the carefully placed captions define terminology and often clarify or add to the text. This book will definitely make the winner's circle.-Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews