If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall is
a delightful romp.
Giddy-up
and go along on this charming fantasy adventure as a child imagines being a
horse for a day. The fun combines horsey nonsense with fanciful human
activities. Galloping across meadows, rolling in rainy puddles, and giving
rides are contrasted with relatable human activities. The true scale of
silliness becomes boldly apparent once this massive creature moves
indoors—helping itself to lunch, refusing to bathe in the cramped bathroom,
and sleeping standing up on a too-small bed.
Blackall,
a two-time Caldecott Medalist, lets her illustrations tell the story supported
by a clean simple text of one or two short sentences on each double-page
spread.
A
personal favorite is the center spread with the horse, in a ruffled tutu and polka
dot party hat, parading in circles in the living room led by the family’s
youngest child. The detail in each page encourages a second look and a third.
Like
every talented storyteller, Blackall surprises the reader with a charming twist
on the very last page.
Recommended
for home and school libraries.
