This lovely book delves into a little girl’s imagination. What would she do if she was a horse?

She could gallop all day through the fields and come home to the family when hungry. She could give her little sister a ride to school on her back. She could roll gleefully in the mud, and never wear clothes unless she was in a parade, of course. She could sleep standing up and dream great galloping dreams all night.

This a clever book, with a clever ending. It is a gentle story, with soft lilting humour, that leaves you with a smile on your face, remembering what a wonderful thing a child’s imagination is.

At the start of the book the illustrator tells us that the images are created with watercolour, gouache, pencil, fabric, and wallpaper and assembled digitally.

If I was a Horse is wonderful simplicity, but often the best things often are. Magically done.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 3+

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Blackall is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children. This includes the New York Times bestselling ‘Ivy and Bean’ series, the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner, Finding Winnie. Also the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner, Hello Lighthouse, which she also wrote.

She is the four-time recipient of The New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book Award. Sophie has worked with UNICEF and Save the Children, UK on global health and literacy initiatives. Originally from Australia, she now splits her time between Brooklyn, New York, and the Catskill Mountains, where she is building a retreat for the children’s book community called Milkwood Farm.

Visit Sophie Blackall’s website