Cherry Hill's Horse Care for Kids

August 5, 2002
Dedicated equestrians will want Cherry Hill's Horse Care for Kids by Cherry Hill. The comprehensive guide helps children and their parents choose the right horse and gives guidelines for safe handling and proper care. Full-color illustrations and photographs appear throughout; a glossary, index and extensive resource listings are also provided. Raptors!: A Kid's Guide to Birds of Prey by Christyna and Ren Laubach and Charles W.G. Smith guides bird watchers with information about their appearance, wingspan, call, habitat and more.

January 1, 2003
Gr 4-8-A book supposedly for families who are about to buy a horse and have no prior knowledge of horses or their care. Hill's tone seems almost condescending at times. People who know as little as the author assumes and take on the responsibility of horse ownership are in trouble, and this book does not offer enough information to get them out of it. There is some sound advice here, but it isn't appropriately written for a novice audience. In "Finding the Right Horse," readers are advised to "look for one with good training and manners and a soft eye." Unless they are fairly experienced, prospective buyers won't have any idea how to evaluate the animal's training or know what "a soft eye" is. Horse-loving young readers will be better served by Sandy Ransford's Horse & Pony Care (Kingfisher, 2002) or Jackie Budd's Horse & Pony Care (Gareth Stevens, 1998).-Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2002
Gr. 4-8. A trainer who has written many books about horses offers a fully illustrated, practical guidebook for children who want to take on the responsibility of caring for a horse. A note to parents underscores the importance of choosing the right animal and the right instructor to guide the child, as well as realistically assessing the time, work, and cost of horse care. Besides explaining how to choose a horse and look after its food, shelter, grooming, health, and safety, Hill discusses the nature of horses, including their physiology and psychology. Excellent illustrations range from a painting identifying the parts of a horse and clear drawings showing breeds, gaits, and body language to many color photos of children and teenagers looking after their animals. Checklists for horse care around the calendar year and an unusually comprehensive glossary complete the volume. A well-designed, very informative guide for young people who are dreaming about owning a horse or serious about caring for one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)