My favorite kind of magical story - the kind that holds matter of fact magic, the sort of magic that could actually happen if you just know how magic works (believe in it and don't think too much about it and accept it when it appears without question). Adults tend to forget how to do it and, scarily, quite a number of children have as well. Best to remember by reading these sort of tales. And make sure all your magical stories are illustrated by the great Quentin Blake. Ohhhh, that Quentin Blake... skill! The five stars are for Mr Blake (five and a half actually). Russell Hoban, you were one trippy writer. Brilliant, but very trippy. I found myself wondering... if this were a book by some other illustrator and author (about some icypole sticks that turn themselves into a magical horse)... what would I think of it? Would I buy it? How much does my preconception of the brilliance of the creators affect my respect for the work? A bit, I think. But the illustration is unmistakably, unbelievably skilled. Including, or even especially, the endpapers. *sigh* :-)
What do You think about Rosie's Magic Horse (2013)?
Awesome and strange. Used popsicle sticks dream of becoming a horse in this adventure tale.
—fahmi98
This book was adorable! My kids and I really enjoyed reading it, and I would read it again.
—April
Totally weird, but i love it. AND i love Quentin Blake.
—vickie
