The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Once there was a girl who loved wild horses. Her family loved her enough to let her live with the creatures that she loved. In this Caldecott winning Native American folk tale, Paul Goble tells the story of a girl who understands horses in a special way. One day, she falls asleep just as a terrible storm approaches. She is awaked by thunder and lightning and jumps on the back of her horse as the entire herd attempts to outrun the storm. When they finally stop running, the horses are lost. The next morning, they are greeted by herd of wild horses who welcome them all to live with them. Readers will be enthralled by the tale of the girl who becomes part of the world that she loves more than anything.

The brilliant illustrations that accompany Goble’s simple text draw the reader into the Native American culture most effectively. Though simplistic in appearance, the drawings express the movement of horses, the violence of the thunderstorm and the beauty of the world we live in. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses shows the way a family loves their daughter enough to let her go and live the life she dreams of. This amazing story will give readers of all ages the courage to believe in the fantastic and to live their dreams.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 2-4.

Keywords associated with this book: Native American, horse, legend, folk tale, picture book, Caldecott