3+ Best Horse Books For Animal Loving Kids (2022)

Is your child a fan of the animal kingdom? Give them these charming books about horses as a gift. They will become more invested in the lives of animals as a result of this.

Naftali The Storyteller And His Horse, Sus, By Isaac Bashevis Singer

The Most Prized Horse:

Do you think that horses, as a subject for serious authors to write about, are too childish and sentimental? In the short story that he wrote for children and adults alike, Isaac Bashevis Singer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978, provides a definitive response to that question. – Naftali the Storyteller and His Horse, Sus

Stories and Sus, his horse, are two of Naftali’s favorite things in the world. When his family, friends, and other neigh-sayers tell him that he won’t be able to make a living with just stories and a horse, Naftali hitsches Sus to a wagon, fills the wagon with books, and spends his days traveling, collecting, and sharing stories about a world that he believes is “full of wonders.”

Not only is the story of Naftali and Sus charming to children, for whom it was written, but it is also charming to readers of any age because it is so profoundly kind and wise. Professor Lars Gyllensten summed up his remarks for the presentation of Singer’s Nobel Prize by saying, “Singer’s storytelling lightly nets the true wonders of adventure and friendship and sings with the symphonic power and imagination that inspired him.”

“Dear Mr. Singer, the greatest magician in the world! It is my duty and a great pleasure to extend to you the warmest congratulations of the Swedish Academy and to extend to you an invitation to accept the Nobel Prize in Literature 1978 from the hands of His Majesty the King.

As he guides Naftali and readers through the marvels of life and the rewards of a life well-lived, this great author does not for one moment forget about the dearest prize of them all: the humble horse, now young, now elderly, who made the whole journey possible. This is an aspect of the story that has an even deeper appeal For horse lovers. I won’t give away the story’s satisfying conclusion to you, but as it gracefully comes to an end, Singer writes:

“Sometimes, when Naftali came into the stable to visit his beloved Sus, he saw him bowing his head against the horse on his left or his right, and it seemed to Naftali that Sus was either listening to stories told to him by the other horses or silently telling his own horsy story…”

You’ll find Naftali and Sus in Singer’s volume, Stories for Children, and there is also a lively illustrated version in Naftali the Storyteller and His Horse, Sus: and Other Stories, which is out of print but well worth tracking down. To learn the story behind Singer’s marvelous stories, read NobelPrize.org’s biography of Isaac Bashevis Singer, and don’t miss the info on the Nobel Prize in Literature – who knows, perhaps your horse will carry you there someday!

The Velveteen Rabbit, By Margery Williams

Real is a Thing that Happens to You:

The annals of history and the pages of literature are replete with tales of animals and people who healed one another and helped each other become their best and most complete selves through selfless acts of bravery and compassion that were performed out of love for one another.

Horses play a significant role in a number of these tales. It’s possible that this is due to the fact that horses have historically served as our allies and companions on the front lines of conflict and on the frontier, both physically and emotionally. The Velveteen Rabbit, a children’s story written by Margery Williams, has its gentle wisdom spoken by an old horse. Perhaps it is fair and even proper that one of the most well-known and enduring of these stories has an old horse speak its wise words.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a stuffed bunny that lives with the hope of one day becoming real. He explains it by saying that the old horse, also known as the Skin Horse, was once a toy but has since become real.

One day, the Rabbit posed the question, “What is REAL?”…

“Does it mean that you have things that buzz inside of you as well as a handle that sticks out?”
The Skin Horse was heard to say, “Real is not how you are made.”
It is an occurrence that takes place with you. When a child loves you for a very, very long time, and not just to play with you, but loves you REALLY, then you become Real.
The Rabbit queried, “Is there any discomfort?”
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, who was known for telling the truth at all times. “When you are Real, you don’t mind getting hurt,” said the philosopher.
He inquired, “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?” or “bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” the Skin Horse said. “It takes time.” “You will turn into. It requires a lot of patience…. In most cases, by the time you reach Real status, the majority of your hair will have been loved off, your eyes will have dropped out of your head, and you will have become loose in the joints and very shabby. However, none of these things are relevant in the slightest because, once you have achieved Realness, there is no way for you to be unattractive—except to those who lack comprehension.

You can read The Velveteen Rabbit as an illustrated flip-book at Internet Archive and download the story and illustrations for free at Project Gutenberg. If you’re looking for a printed book, check out the edition featuring William Nicholson’s original illustrations, which have the sweetly-shabby look of worn toys but well-loved toys, and Donna Green’s luminous and lifelike interpretation.

Calico The Wonder Horse, Or The Saga Of Stewy Stinker, By Virginia Lee Burton

A Tall Tail:

It is up to Calico the Wonder Horse, “the smartest, fastest horse in all of Cactus County,” and her cowboy, Hank, to rescue the herd and bring the criminals to justice after Stewy Stinker and his Badlands gang steal the cattle that belong to the people of Cactus County. Stewy Stinker is the leader of the Badlands gang.

Calico the Wonder Horse and The Saga of Stewy Stinker may have been written by Virginia Lee Burton for her two sons, but this Western tall tale is sure to be a hit with any young audience. Readers will be delighted and captivated by the witty dialogue and descriptions, such as how Calico can “turn on a quarter and give you fifteen cents change” and how her nose is “so keen, she could track a bee through a blizzard.” Calico’s adventure is as visually addictive as a Wild West Where’s Waldo or a horseback hunt for Richard Scarry’s Goldbug. due to the comic book format, which is simple to follow and inviting, and Burton’s pen-and-ink images, which are chock-full of detail. Both of these games take place in the Wild West.

Calico delivers not only the Cactus County cattle but also a story that is as light-hearted and fun as a rollicking tumbleweed. The story features both bad guys and good guys, as well as daring deeds and a happy ending. As quickly as greased lightning, you’ll find Calico in a place of honor on your ‘bedtime bookshelf,’ probably right next to Burton’s other well-respected classics for children, such as The Little House, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal, Katy and the Big Snow, and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.

The only thing that can top the experience of enjoying a fantastic story is sharing that experience with other people. Now, please take a seat on a stool, a tack trunk, or a hay bale. Make some peppermint tea for both you and your pony, and drink up! And I would appreciate it if you would share your thoughts!

💛💜💛 Want To See More Less Common Gift Ideas For Horse Lovers? ==> Click The Images Below To Explore!