Natalie Jane Prior (text) and Stephen Michael King (illustration), Wandering Star, Scholastic Australia, May 2019, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760663339
A young girl and her horse go on an enchanting adventure making friends along the way. On their travels, they encounter a circus filled with talented animals, a farm with a field full of sheep, and finally their favourite place of all—a secret cove where they look out for dolphins and seals.
Even when their adventure takes a turn and they end up in a dark cave, the young girl discovers how brave she can be with her best friend by her side, and the help of some glow-worms!
This is a tender story about a little girl who loves her horse so dearly she has magical dreams about their adventures when she sleeps.
Natalie Jane Prior’s gentle rhyme makes you feel like you are floating in a dream, and captures the beautiful relationship children can have with animals.
Enchanting illustrations by award winning author and illustrator Stephen Michael King compliments the tranquil verse, creating a beautifully rhythmic story that explores the magic of adventure and discovery.
This story will appeal to any little girl who adores horses, or anyone who loves animals. It can be the opener for wonderful classroom discussion about friendships with animals, not to mention all the craft activities making horse finger-puppets and colouring fun.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
