Candlewick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published August 26th, so make note to pick it up then.
This is a bit like the tall tales of the past. You know, Paul Bunyon and the like. In this case, Leroy, who isn't any too big, decides to get a horse. He's in luck because there's one in the paper "cheap". Since he hasn't hardly any money, he's hoping cheap is cheap enough. On his walk across town, he decides he will name the horse Tornado. That sounds good, doesn't it?
The horse doesn't have all its teeth, is pretty aged and not very energetic, but the price is good. It seems the lady owner is willing to give him Maybelline. She only three conditions he has to meet: Feed her regularly, whisper sweet nothings in her ear, and never leave her alone.
The tall part of the tale comes in to play when he gets her home and looks for something to feed her. She's a big horse. So he makes her spaghetti! Then he makes more and then he makes more, and so on until he's totally out of noodles...
All's well as they sleep out under the stars since she won't fit in his apartment. Then he goes inside for a few minutes and when he comes out, she's gone... She got lonely, you see.
He has quite a time finding her and the story is sweet and fun to read. Chris Van Dusen's illustrations are wonderful and full of whimsey. They make the story even more special. This story would be great for middle schoolers. Just don't let them feed their horses spaghetti!
