Synopses & Reviews
A breathtaking storybook about a timid girl and her magical horse.
Jewel is terrified of everything -- especially the horses on her ranch. But when her grandfather puts the fate of a scrawny newborn foal in her hands, she has no choice but to care for the sad little thing she names Bug. As the two grow fond of each other, Jewel discovers an extraordinary secret about Bug -- he can fly! Unfortunately, someone else has discovered the foal's secret. Can Jewel overcome her fears in order to save her best friend?
This lyrical story, rich with Alice Hoffman's signature magical realism and paired with sweeping, lush paintings, is a delightful read-aloud experience for the whole family.
Review
"Finding courage through caring for another is the theme of this striking fantasy....[T]he book takes off into magical realism, with Jewel discovering that her horse can fly. A circus barker steals the animal, and scenes in which Jewel masterminds a daring rescue are dynamic. Johnson and Fancher chart the emotional movement of the story, from fear and isolation to courage and love, through rich artwork -- dark and angular (especially in the sinister circus scenes) to brightly glowing." Booklist
Synopsis
Jewel is afraid of everything until her grandfather gives her a special horse to raise, a small horse with the ability to fly.