Description
“A long time ago in a city by the sea, there lived a horse named Chestnut.”
Chestnut belongs to Mr. Decker, who runs a delivery service. Each morning at dawn, Mr. Decker harnesses his horse to the wagon to make deliveries around the city. On the morning of the mayor’s daughter’s birthday, there are important deliveries to be made for the party preparation. But when Mr. Decker oversleeps, Chestnut must set off alone, pulling the heavy wagon through the morning fog and following the familiar steps to the merchants’ stores to make the special deliveries.
Author Constance McGeorge has written a charming tale of a steadfast horse whose faithfulness saves the day. Illustrator Mary Whyte’s lovely paintings bring Chestnut to life and perfectly recreate the bustle of turn-of-the-century city life.
Reviews
“The airy, soft-hued watercolor illustrations are as lovely as the lilting language… Varied perspectives add interest and drama to the artwork. Young horse lovers will embrace this charming tale.” ―School Library Journal
“Whyte’s watercolors of a picturesque, nineteenth-century town, modeled on Charleston, South Carolina, meld beautifully with McGeorge’s quiet, homespun tale of determination and devotion.” ―Booklist
“A delightful story that is detailed yet simple and understandable for the young child to grasp. The lovely watercolors by Mary Whyte are soft, detailed with each two-page spread opening up the 19th century scenes of a pleasant, easy-going seacoast town.” ―Chat with Vera
Awards
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2005
SEBA Book Award (Nominee, Children’s Category) ―Southeastern Booksellers’ Association, 2005
More Details
AR Level: 3.5
F&P: O, Gr 3, Genre HF
Themes: Birthdays, Community, Horses, Routines
BISAC 1: JUV002130 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Horses
BISAC 2: JUV023000 JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
BISAC 3: JUV030060 JUVENILE FICTION /People & Places / United States / General
