By Patricia MacLachlan Illustrated by Micha Archer
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2022
Picture Book, 40 Pages, ages 2-6
In the evening before the new year, two horses, Tim and Tom, pull a sled through the town. The two horses love the snow, and the sleigh rides for young and old alike, bringing them together to celebrate the upcoming new year.
It is the very last evening before the new year, and two horses pull their sleigh through town, spreading light, and love, and laughter.
With sparse yet poignant prose, this book celebrates intergenerational relationships as well as community. It’s a quiet book, filled with sparkling detail of the town and people in it, but with the sounds and feel of a snow filled new years eve. Without the usual fireworks and raucous celebrations, this is a new and unique take with a deeply satisfying calm and quiet despite trumpets, joyful children, and reminiscent senior citizens.
There are two sleigh rides through town. The first, cheerfully depicts children laughing and dogs running alongside the sleigh, wooly hats blowing into the street, and a town full of sparkling lights and colorful houses. The second, full of senior citizens from The Manor Home, is equally as joyful and full of reminiscing about growing up in those sparkling little houses, their own wooly hats, riding horses to school, and being young.
The author, Patricia MacLachlan is a Newbery Medal-winning author of many recognizable books including Sarah, Plain and Tall, Waiting for the Magic, and Prairie Days.
The bright and brilliant artwork by Caldecott Honor-winner Micha Archer, doesn’t distract from the quiet prose, rather the two work together to tell the story. The combination of artistic mediums adds to the interest and it seems that you find something new on each page as you read it again.
It is truly an exquisitely delightful book and completely captivating.
Snow Horses by Patricia MacLachlan gets 5 stars from this reviewer.