Run with the Wind

A mother horse reassures her young foal that soon he will be big enough to stay by himself and not even miss her

PreSchool-K-In this saccharine picture book, a little foal is frightened by the idea of being separated from his mother. She assures him that he'll be all right and won't even think about her when she's gone. Sure enough, in time, mom goes off to work and the foal frolics and plays all day, running with the wind. The two are happy with their evening reunion. This book may have been intended to comfort children facing such a separation, but will probably have the opposite effect. The idea that a time will come when they will neither think about nor miss parents will be unsettling to many youngsters, and the affectionate reunion and realization that the mother missed her foal won't be enough to reassure them. The flawed theme is presented in an uninspired, somewhat overwritten, anthropomorphized text. The soft, primarily pastel artwork is sweetly sentimental and lacking in spirit. This title is better left alone.
Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This tender tale from a British team speaks meaningfully to the little and big separations that children and parents encounter. Out in the field on a summer night, a foal fears the vast darkness: "I can't see you out here when you move away from me." His mother comforts him by likening her closeness to the wind's presence, which, while unseen, is felt. A bit later, he's dismayed when his mother explains that soon she will be giving people rides all day, and is disbelieving when she predicts that eventually an entire day will pass without his even thinking of her. But when she is off working, he spends the morning running and playing with the wind, forgetting his mother until she returns. Reflecting the natural course of weaning and independence, Pitcher's narrative implies, on a deeper level, an ever-present affection that can soothe and support a prolonged separation. Chapman's (Dora's Eggs) powder-soft illustrations exude a serenity?even amid thick darkness?that will settle little ones' apprehensions. Together, narrative and illustrations give a compassionate nudge to reluctant small colts and fillies. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Pitcher's story of separation anxiety, here played out by a foal and its mother, will have relevance to children who have experienced similar worries. The foal is an uneasy creature: It is upset by the wind, and the night. More unsettling are its mother's intimations that they will not always be together: ``You won't think of me then.'' This puzzles the foal. ``Why won't I think of you?'' it asks. ``Because you won't.'' When the day comes--the mother leaves to give rides to childrenthe foal almost faints, but in no time, it begins to play with the wind: Instant independence. Handsome illustrations can't keep the story from feeling a little pat, and the mother isfor readerscallous. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 3^-5. Her timid foal is anxious about storm noises, the meadow, other horses, and darkness, so the mare reassures him. But she always mentions that one day she will go back to work, and he'll stay behind with the other young horses. When that day arrives, the foal not only survives but also frolics happily. The vibrant colors and primitive-style illustrations suit the story, but a few of the horse figures are awkwardly drawn. The text is a bit wordy for the intended audience; however, the separation anxiety theme will strike a chord with young children. Linda Perkins