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Friday 17 September 2010

Magic Spirit the Dream Horse by Pippa Funnell



Tilly is an adopted child with a passion for ponies. The only clue to her past is a bracelet made of plaited horse hair. But when Tilly helps to rescue Magic Spirit, a rescue horse who has been so badly treated by humans that he won't let anyone close, everything changes. She's invited to Silver Shoe Farm to help with Magic Spirit's recovery, and Tilly's special affinity with horses is clear to everyone. Soon the stables become like a second home and that's when Tilly's adventures really begin. For every girl who has ever longed for a pony of her own, these delightful, warm and engaging stories are packed with Pippa's expert advice on everything you ever wanted to know about horses.


I have never been interested in horses and horse riding and was therefore unsure about this book. It has been written by Pippa Funnell, Olympic Medallist, and champion rider. However, I really enjoyed the story.
The book is based around Tilly, a young girl, adopted while young who arrived at her foster parents with an unusual bracelet, a plaited braid of horse hair. She has always had an interest in horses but has never been able to ride. However, when out with her mum, she rescues a runaway horse and when the owner of a local livery yard arrives to rescue the horse, she offers Tilly the opportunity to visit the yard and help with the horses. Tilly accepts the offer and is soon found to have a bond and trust with the horses.

The book included some useful information about looking after and grooming horses and included in the back of the book are Pippa's top tips. There are also a number of websites mentioned in the book which will be popular with young horse lovers.
I would recommend this to children everywhere who have a love for horses - a great encouragement to young readers everywhere to get into reading books as this is just one title in a number of books written by Pippa Funnell.

Thank you to Nina Douglas of Orion Books for sending me the book to review.

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