Book Bundles: Saddle Up

(3) 4-6 History Comics series. Illustrated by Falynn Koch. In this lighthearted yet informative offering, two cartoon characters learn from a petroglyph horse about North America mustangs, from prehistoric equids on other continents to the reintroduction of horses by Spanish conquistadors, the dramatic horse raids of the Comanche in the American West, and Velma Johnston's (aka Wild Horse Annie) modern-day efforts to protect wild herds. Dynamic comics-panel illustrations use self-referential techniques to move the humorous narrative forward, while "Mane Idea" asides explore topics like horse diet and digestion. A timeline, further reading (including movies and websites), and appendices covering famous mustangs and mustangers close out this highly accessible volume.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Inside Out series. This intensive look at horse bodies features large, full-color anatomical drawings on each packed page highlighting successive anatomical systems (via die-cuts): muscular, skeletal, nervous, digestive, etc. Bite-sized text blocks and additional photos and drawings explain how horses' anatomy relates to their health and behavior and offer (sometimes loosely connected) topics like "mini whinnies" (miniature horses) or horse body language. Whether it's explaining how tissues in horses' feet act like supplemental hearts pumping blood back up the leg with each step or pointing out that horses are unable to vomit, this immersive, volume feeds enthusiasts' appetites for all things horse.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Book Of series. Illustrated by Simon Mendez & Val Walerczuk. After a brief introduction, double-page spreads portray thirty-six breeds of horses from the well-known (Thoroughbred) to the relatively obscure (Konik). Along with a large, realistic color portrait of each breed, the spreads contain chatty bullet points detailing the breed's history and a few other facts, usually emphasizing how tough and well-adapted to their environment the horses are; a "Fact file" gives further information on the breed's height, color, character, origin, and use (e.g., driving, riding, hauling, etc.). This browsable volume includes a world map pictorially indicating where each breed originated.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam