Merrylegs by Pam Smy

Begin with the wonderful end papers.  You will see six riders prancing across the page. You can almost hear the clip clop of their hooves. Now turn the page. A small white horse stands behind a fence with his eyes cast down. Go back to the end papers. This same white horse is at the end of the line and his head and eyes are down.

"With his head down and his eyes on the ground, Merrylegs plodded and clomped. Round and round, day after day, teaching the children how to ride. ... He just podded and clomped around the stables and wished his life was more exciting."

Merrylegs works at a riding stable carrying children who are learning to ride. He never looks at the children and so he misses their smiles and joy. Instead Merrylegs longs to join the beautiful horses who gallop around the racetrack.

One day his friend, Feathers, rushes into the stable with some big news. The fair is in town. The pair race off to take a look. They see lights, hear music and see children but it is the carousel that fascinates Merrylegs.

"Merrylegs had never seen such beautiful horses. Their eyes flashed. Their manes flowed. And their painted bodies glowed scarlet and gold."

When everyone is gone Merrylegs moves in for a closer look. Merrylegs is so disappointed. He cannot seem to copy the graceful movements of the carousel horses.

"I am not a racehorse, or a carousel horse. I am not tall or beautiful. I am just a stumbling, plodding riding school pony."

During the night the magic happens. Merrylegs opens his eyes and he sees a beautiful carousel horse. He follows his new friend. They race through the town and into the woods. When they reach the top of the hill the pair fly off into the night sky. It is a magical evening, yes it was perhaps a dream but when the next day arrives Merrylegs is transformed.  Yes he is still a riding school pony but he has a new attitude.

"His tail swishes, his hooves lift and his head is held high."  Now he can see and hear the children who love riding this beautiful white horse called Merrylegs.

I have talked in previous post about my problem finding wonderful books for very young horse lovers. Merrylegs is a book that you should definitely consider adding to your primary school library. I am sure it will be a popular.  This book would also be a very special gift for a young horse lover. As a bonus this is a hardcover picture book available for a lower price than you might expect but if you want to wait the paperback edition will be released late this year. I think the title of this book is just perfect - carousel = merry go round! Merrylegs finds his happiness - he is able to be 'merry'.

The horses move across the pages flowing from one spread to another, galloping, flying, following the dream. The storytelling is assured,gently rhythmical, uncluttered, a pleasure to read, the ideal partner for the illustrations. As in the best picture books here the two elements work seamlessly together. Books for Keeps

Pam Smy is the illustrator of Follow the Swallow by Julia Donaldson.

I would pair this book with The Carousel by Ursula Dubosarsky and One Horse Waiting for Me.