If I Was a Horse

Contributors

By Sophie Blackall

On Sale
Oct 3, 2023
Page Count
32 pages
ISBN-13
9780316510981

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER!​
 
★ "Charming and whimsical visual surprises are found throughout the impeccably designed pages…An exquisite equine fantasy, this encourages imaginations to giddyup and run wild and free.”—Booklist, starred review

A gift for any child with an unbridled imagination, this bestseller from award-winning creator Sophie Blackall captures the astonishing spectacle of life as a horse. And with a cover adorned with glitter, this romp really sparkles!

If you were a horse, what would you do? Could you fit in your clothes? Would you give your little sister a ride? Would your brother even notice?
 
Gallop along with two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall through this riotous day in the life of a child who imagines their life as a horse. What ensues are uproarious, resonant episodes that feature a giant horse in familiar settings offering both a visual feast, a grand dose of joy, and a celebration of the real power of imagination to help us navigate the world.

  • Praise for If I Was a Horse:
    A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
    An American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 2024

    An Amazon Best Book of 2023​
    A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book 2023
    A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2023
    A Children's Book Council Favorites Awards, Children's Favorite


     
  • * "Charming and whimsical visual surprises are found throughout the impeccably designed pages…An exquisite equine fantasy, this encourages imaginations to giddyup and run wild and free.”
    Booklist, starred review
  • * "Every illustration invites readers to pause to appreciate its details."
     
    Shelf Awareness, starred review
  • "Delightful…[with] colorful, sweet, gently humorous illustrations…There’ll be no neigh-sayers for this one."
    Kirkus
  • "Detailed and nuanced. . . There’s a sensitive heart and sharp eye in the humor here."
     
    Horn Book
  • “A whimsical picture book that embarks on a journey of imagination…­A wonderful reminder of the power of imagination and a launching point for story hour discussions.” 
     
    School Library Journal
  • “Throughout this cozy view of longed-for freedoms in childhood, Blackall’s signature-style illustrations summon giggles…”
    Publishers Weekly
  • Praise for Farmhouse:
    A 2022 KIRKUS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK
    A 2022 SLJ BEST BOOK
    A HORN BOOK FANFARE
    A 2022 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK
    A 2022 BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK
    A 2022 WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK
    A 2022 NYTIMES BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK
    AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2022
    A 2022 BOOKLIST EDITORS’ CHOICE
    GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST KIDS’ BOOKS OF 2022
    2023 ALSC NOTABLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
    2023 CCBC CHILDREN’S CHOICES LIST
    2023 BANK ST COLLEGE BEST BOOKS
  • *"A lovely, tender reimagination of people in a long-past time and place."
    Kirkus, starred review
  • *"A love letter to the joys of country living and family life as well as the importance of treasuring the past and all its stories."
    School Library Journal, starred review
  • *"The tale’s strong sense of place undergirds Blackall’s witness to the way environments change over time and stories survive long after material objects disappear, in a thoughtful, expertly executed work that looks simultaneously forward and back."
    Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • *"Blackall’s illustrations are everything here, incorporating wallpaper, fabrics, and other items scavenged from the house melded together with ink, watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil to create vibrantly layered compositions with a tactile quality."
    Horn Book, starred review
  • * "Genuinely captivating...A meditation on the creative process...Multifaceted and arresting...Irresistible."
    Booklist, starred review
  • a tender, layered masterpiece that itself deserves to be passed along for generations.”
    New York Times
  • *"A sophisticated, openhearted ode to what truly makes a house a home...Vividly realized...."
    BookPage, starred review
  • Praise for Hello Lighthouse:

    A New York Times Bestseller and Caldecott Winner

     * "Blackall's charmingly old-fashioned art style is beautifully matched to this nostalgia-rich story, which imbues an antiquated place with warmth and wonder."L
    Booklist, starred review
  • * "A delightful bedtime read perfect for one on one sharing."
    School Library Journal, starred review
  • * "It's a jewel of a creation and a gift to those who dream of retreat."
    Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • "I will be surprised if a more exquisite picture book will be published this year...Children will be fascinated..."
    New York Times Book Review
  • Praise for Finding Winnie:
    A #1 New York Times bestseller and Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal
    A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
  • *"The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant."
    Horn Book, starred review
  • *"Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins."
    Booklist, starred review
  • *"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually."
    School Library Journal, starred review
  • *"The book strikes a lovely, understated tone of wonder and family pride...[Sophie Blackall] proves that she's equally imaginative at chronicling straight-on reality too."
    Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • "Gorgeously illustrated...[a] delightful telling."
    New York Times Book Review
  • "Exquisite"."
    Wall Street Journal

Formats and Prices

Price

$18.99

Price

$23.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover $18.99 $23.99 CAD

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDIE!

Order IF I WAS A HORSE at participating locations to receive a signed art print.

Limited quantities available per store. Please contact store to confirm availability at that location.

Sophie Blackall

About the Author

Sophie Blackall is the bestselling and two-time Caldecott medal-winning artist behind Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous BearHello, Lighthouse and Farmhouse. She is also the proprietor of Milkwood, a creative retreat for children’s book makers. She lives between Brooklyn and a farm in upstate New York.

Learn more about this author