The cover gives us a cold, windswept feeling. It looks as though we’re in for an old-fashioned storytelling session, a sweeping tale of friendship, adventure and triumphing through adversity. Which is exactly what we come to find as we open the cover and absorb ourselves in the story.
Nina lives with her father, Viktor, who is lonely after the death of his wife, Nina’s mother. Forced to leave their home, taking their horses with them, Nina and Viktor ride towards safety as their hometown is overtaken.
The adventure begins, Nina needing to become a strong rider and Viktor leading his young daughter along the way. Nina forms a special bond with her horse, who struggles to make it the entire way.
This is a stunning book – a short novel in picture book format, suited to older picture book age to early readers.
A beautiful story that takes us on a whirlwind adventure through snow and across mountains, with a spellbindingly urgent pace, this is a must have for all children’s bookshelves.
Title: Running With the Horses
Author/Illustrator: Alison Lester
Publisher: Penguin, $29.95 RRP
Publication Date: October 2009
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9780670868339
For ages: 8+
Type: Picture Book
