Review: Running with the Horses

Prolific Australian children's author, Alison Lester, has created another beautiful children's picture book featuring gorgeous multimedia illustrations including ink, watercolour and photographs.

In writing Running with the Horses, Lester was inspired by the rescue of the Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during the Second World War. A work of fiction, the author introduces to a young horse-lover named Nina, whose father, Viktor, is stablemaster to the Royal Academy of Dancing Horses.


Nina dreams of becoming an Academy Rider, but when she and her father have to flee from the city, Nina's world is turned upside down. Tearing away on horses in the night, including her beloved equine friend Zelda, they ride to the foothills of the mountains, certain they will be safe on the other side of the pass.

 

Danger, however, comes from all sides. How will Nina and her father make it to the safety of their family's home? Can Zelda the cab horse save them?

Running with the Horses is heavy on text and so is suitable for older readers, however, all ages will be absolutely enchanted by this historical adventure and its breathtaking journey to safety. A love of horses is not necessary to thoroughly enjoy this book, but a love of beautiful art and traditional, engaging literature is a must.

Author website

Title: Running with the Horses
Author: Alison Lester
Publisher: Penguin/Viking, A$29.95RRP
Format: Hardcover, dust jacket
Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-670-86833-9
For ages: 7+
Type: Picture Book

Running With the Horses was one of my 6 Younger Reader ‘nominations’ for the Clayton’s Night Awards run by the ACT branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. This night mimics the announcement of the nominees for the Book of the Year Awards, and I was the ‘judge’ in the Younger Reader category.

See my other nominations and their reviews here.