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If a Horse Had Words

Author Kelly Cooper

Illustrated by Lucy Eldridge

Hardcover

$17.99 US

Tundra | Tundra Books

9.88"W x 10.31"H x 0.44"D (25.1 x 26.2 x 1.1 cm) | 18 oz (499 g) | 20 per carton

On sale Jun 05, 2018 | 48 Pages | 9781101918722

Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell L

Sales rights: World

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Children's Books > Children's Picture Books

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For horse-loving readers of all ages, a lyrical and exquisitely illustrated picture book following the relationship between a boy and a horse, separated then reunited. This is a story about enduring friendships and how language is shaped by our experiences.

The foal is born on a spring morning of sunshine and snow melt. If she had words, she would say willow, crocus, puddle and sky . . .

Red Badger is a newborn foal learning to stand when she slips and gets stuck in a muddy badger hole. It is a young boy who frees her, and his kindness and gentleness mark the beginning of their friendship -- though she will always be wary of the ground that briefly trapped her. As the seasons pass on the ranch, Red Badger learns more about her world: Fall is leaf rustle and fence posts. Winter is white hills and long nights. The boy is hay, a gentle touch, playing in the snow and the sweet smell of peppermints. If a horse had words, the word would be . . . friend.

This is a beautifully written and heartwarming story told from the horse's point of view that follows her relationship with a boy from the day she is born, to when she is sent to auction, to the day she and the boy are reunited at a rodeo where she has become a bronc and he a cowboy.

WINNER | 2018
New Brunswick Book Awards - Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children’s Writing

"Readers drawn to stories about the unbreakable bonds between children and animals will remember this one." --starred review, Publishers Weekly

"This book is written in a poetic and lyrical manner. . . . A solid and engaging choice for horse lovers or anyone who has ever bonded with an animal." --School Library Journal

"If a Horse Had Words is a colourful exploration of language and friendship. . . . [A] gentle and emotive story [that] will capture the hearts of many readers. The illustrations and lyrical text bring the story to life and capture a gentle sense of whimsy that will delight and engage young readers. Highly recommended." --CM Magazine

KELLY COOPER grew up on a cattle farm in the tiny farming community of Senlac, Saskatchewan. Kelly later moved to New Brunswick and now lives on a dairy farm with one husband, two daughters, a hundred cows, many cats and two donkeys. Kelly has years of experience teaching language arts and visual arts and has worked with students of all ages. She has written for radio, and her poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction have been published in a number of Canadian literary journals and several anthologies. Her first picture book, If a Horse Had Words, was illustrated by Lucy Eldridge and her upcoming picture book, Midnight and Moon, is illustrated by Daniel Miyares. View titles by Kelly Cooper

Lucy Eldridge View titles by Lucy Eldridge

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About

Awards

WINNER | 2018
New Brunswick Book Awards - Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children’s Writing

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