Wonder Horse by Emily Arnold McCully

Author: Emily Arnold McCully

Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully

Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography

Awards: South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee (2012-2013), Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award (2012), Vermont Red Clover Award Nominee (2012), CCBC Choices (2011), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2011), Treasure State Award (2012), Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award (2010)

Grade(s): K-3rd

Summary: This book tells the true story of Jim Key, the world's smartest horse. His owner, Bill "Doc" Key grew up in slavery, but always knew how to help and tame animals. When the slaves were freed, Bill became a veterinarian where be began to teach people that animals have feelings and need to be treated with kindness. He ended up creating a medicine that treated colic, lameness, cramps, and headaches in both animals and people. Selling this medicine made him rich. When he heard about the circus selling their animals, he wanted to go and try to find a racing horse. He had bought his horse, Lauretta, and was happy that this horse could father a foal that had just been born at his farm. When Lauretta passed away, Bill was struck with grief and felt he could not go on. However, the little foal was determined to make Bill see that he was a good horse despite not having a good start. Soon, Bill realized that the foal, Jim, was actually extremely smart. He began to teach him how to do math, spell, and recognize colors. They travelled around to put on shows to audiences big and small. Everyone loved Jim. Finally, Bill and Jim retired together on a ranch where people still came from all over to meet Jim and see how brilliant he really was. The book ends with real photographs and an author's note about Bill and Jim.

My Thoughts: I loved this book and honestly couldn't believe it was true!! It really shows how amazing animals can be and how with just a little love, they could go really far. I will absolutely use this book in my classroom!! It is a good story on its own, but I feel I could really use this story to start a research project. I could use it to teach my students about how to research properly as well as give them a good and fun topic to research. This book will be a great addition to my classroom library!!