We aren’t so lucky to live on an acreage, (yet) but my parents live on a large one, and they have their own irrepressible horse, Arthur, a strawberry roan, my horse from my teen years. So irrepressible, he has been know to pose for a picture with my dad’s work cap on his head, no word of a lie, this picture exists and is a family favorite! So needless to say, any story that reminds my kids of their beloved Arthur, captures their attention immediately.
This story about Chester, a painted horse, is adorable, entertaining and captures realistically some of the true behaviors of horses; lying in the shade, rolling around in the dust, and poking their noses where they don’t belong! (isn’t that one always the case!) The illustrations are beautifully done, and Chester’s adventures are fun and this book is really enjoyable to read to my kids. It is a perfect book for any little girl or boy who has an interest in horses.
Reading level: ages 4-8
Page Count: 36 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
What to expect: A cute story about a horse trying to cool down on the hot Texas range, he visits various other farmyard animals trying to get ideas how to cool down, pricks his nose on a cactus on his adventures, then ends up in the masters yard trying to drink from her birdbath, only to find the cow drank it all! He ends up receiving some kind words, the thorn removed and a cool refreshing hose down by his master.
Publisher’s synopsis: Recommended for an award in children’s literature, Hot on the Range by new author R.D. Jentsch is easygoing, light and humorous. Brightly illustrated by David C. Bryant, this book helps teach pre- and beginning readers that like each of us, horses have personalities and in the case of Chester, a painted horse, and Willie, a palomino, out on the Texas range, horses can have a lot of character.
About the Author: Horsewoman R.D. Jentsch lives on a ranch in Texas, where she currently owns fourteen horses, each with unique and challenging personalities. She is an avid horsewoman and has spent many years honing her skills. She treats her horses respectfully according to their own unique personality, with a focus on natural horsemanship. After working in her family’s construction business for two decades, she is currently attending Ashworth University for pursuits in marketing. Visit the book website at Hot on The Range.
Our Rating: 4 out of 5