In the late 1800s, former slave and veterinarian Bill "Doc" Key realized that his new foal, Jim, was no ordinary horse. Believing in the p... read full description
reviews
Sep 07, 2011
babyhippoface
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Straightforward account of the achievements of Jim Key, called "The World's Smartest Horse." Jim was born with crippled legs but managed to overcome his handicap and learn to walk and trot. When Doc Key, the successful African-American veterinarian who owned Jim, saw the horse's determination, he began a grand experiment: could this intelligent horse learn to "read"? With time, perserverance, and kindness, Doc was able to teach Jim to recognize primary colors and the letters
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Sep 06, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
4.5 STARS
Even during his childhood, as a slave in 1830s Tennessee, Bill Key loved animals and had a special talent for understanding them and, often, curing them. When he grew up and slaves were freed, he became a veterinarian, and would often speak with people about the treatment of animals. He noted that horses, especially, were often mistreated, whipped or beaten in order to perform better, but he urged kindness, compassion, and understanding. (So heartbreaking to imagine that More...
Even during his childhood, as a slave in 1830s Tennessee, Bill Key loved animals and had a special talent for understanding them and, often, curing them. When he grew up and slaves were freed, he became a veterinarian, and would often speak with people about the treatment of animals. He noted that horses, especially, were often mistreated, whipped or beaten in order to perform better, but he urged kindness, compassion, and understanding. (So heartbreaking to imagine that More...
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Jun 26, 2011
Barb
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I don't know where I came across this book, I think it might have been when I was looking for a wholesome movie for family night and was researching Secretariat. I think it must have popped up in the "other people also looked at.." window on the web-page. Anyway it's time for the summer reading program so I borrowed this with a healthy arm-load of other books.
I highly recomemnd this book to animal lovers of all ages. It's a sweet heart-warming story about Bill Key and his More...
I highly recomemnd this book to animal lovers of all ages. It's a sweet heart-warming story about Bill Key and his More...
Jan 25, 2011
Peacegal
rated it:
Wonder Horse is a wonderful story about kindness and the power of compassion. In the 1800s, Bill “Doc” Key, a veterinarian and former slave, teaches an orphaned colt, Jim, to perform amazing mental feats such as recognizing letters and colors.
The humane education element (on behalf of both humans and animals) is outstanding, especially considering the time period in which the book is set. As the text notes, few people at the time cared about animals or believed they had feelings. So More...
The humane education element (on behalf of both humans and animals) is outstanding, especially considering the time period in which the book is set. As the text notes, few people at the time cared about animals or believed they had feelings. So More...
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Sep 28, 2010
Margo
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Kids love animal stories, and they are sure to be amazed by Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Emily Arnold McCully's newest picture book about Jim Key, a 19th century horse who astonished audiences with his incredible talents.
This enchanting book is not just an animal story, however; it is also a story about slavery, the power of kindness and patience, and overcoming prejudice. Jim's owner, Bill Key, was born a slave in 1833. McCully's heartwarming water-color illustrations port More...
This enchanting book is not just an animal story, however; it is also a story about slavery, the power of kindness and patience, and overcoming prejudice. Jim's owner, Bill Key, was born a slave in 1833. McCully's heartwarming water-color illustrations port More...
Sep 13, 2011
Lisa
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This is an outstanding book (story and pictures and note/photo in the back) about an ex-slave veterinarian who believed in and taught kindness to animals. A horse he raised from its birth, he taught it to recognize the letters of the alphabet, colors, and do other remarkable things, all through patience and love.
I thought I’d heard of this horse, but it was actually another horse (mentioned in the author’s note) I’d heard of, and always thought the man was a charlatan. But Bill and More...
I thought I’d heard of this horse, but it was actually another horse (mentioned in the author’s note) I’d heard of, and always thought the man was a charlatan. But Bill and More...
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May 11, 2011
Luann
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This is a slightly fictionalized biography of Bill Key, a man who was born a slave in 1833 and became a veterinarian. He believed in treating animals with kindness and tried to teach others that animals have feelings and it is wrong to make them suffer. This is also the story of Jim Key, Doc Key's horse, who he trained to spell, count, do math, identify colors, and make change from a cash register. This seems like a fantastic, made-up story, but the author's note which includes a photograph of D
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May 05, 2011
Nick
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This is a slightly fictionalized story of a real man and a real horse. Kids who like animals are going to enjoy this story, but younger ones may ask a lot of questions about slavery and other issues raised within the story.
The story itself, of a horse learning both "tricks" and actual recognition of letters, colors and numbers, is itself a lot of fun. The illustrations make it something special. The story of both man and horse devoting themselves to the Humane Society movement wa More...
The story itself, of a horse learning both "tricks" and actual recognition of letters, colors and numbers, is itself a lot of fun. The illustrations make it something special. The story of both man and horse devoting themselves to the Humane Society movement wa More...
Oct 18, 2011
Abigail
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Author/illustrator Emily Arnold McCully, who won a Caldecott Medal in 1993 for Mirette on the High Wire, tends to seek out unusual true stories for her picture-book biographies - she retold the tale of Irish woman pirate Gráinne Ní Mháille, in The Pirate Queen, and of inventor Margaret E. Knight in Marvelous Mattie - and Wonder Horse is no exception! The story of former slave Bill Key, who became a veterinarian and animal trainer, after being emancipated, and his incredible horse Jim, whom he ta
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 09, 2010
W.H.
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n the late 1800s, former slave and veterinarian Bill "Doc" Key realized that his new foal, Jim, was no ordinary horse. Believing in the power of kindness and patience, Doc taught Jim to spell, recognize the primary colors, and even make change from a cash register!
Performing in shows across the country, Jim stunned audiences with his incredible skills. But when some people called Jim a fake, Doc set out to prove them wrong and to show the world that, thanks to the power o More...
Performing in shows across the country, Jim stunned audiences with his incredible skills. But when some people called Jim a fake, Doc set out to prove them wrong and to show the world that, thanks to the power o More...
Sep 27, 2010
Eva
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This is a really great story and it's a great teaching story as well. I learned more than one thing from the story myself and it opened up an intense conversation with my daughter about the shameful period in history where this country was inhabited by slave and slave owners. Julia, at only 5 years old, was completely and utterly horrifed. We had a long talk about it and I think she understands as much as someone her age can understand this.
The story is extra special in so many ways. That More...
The story is extra special in so many ways. That More...
Oct 29, 2011
Deb
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Kathryn Krull chronicles the story of Bill Key who was born into slavery in 1833 and his horse, Jim Key. Even though suffering racial discrimination and humiliation Bill educated Jim to perform in shows. He used kindness to educate his horse. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animas eventually teamed up with Bill and Jim Key to spread the message, "Treat Animals with Kindness". Interesting biography of both Bill Key and his horse.
Dec 14, 2010
Pam
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Emily Arnold McCully's forte is nineteenth and early twentienth century non-fiction stories about the pop culture stars of their times. In this story, McCully tells the story of a ex-slave turned vet who raises horses. He ends up taking to the road with his "wonder horse." This book is sure to resonate with the younger students at my school as it highlights kindness and how important it is for all living things.
Sep 07, 2010
A really amazing story about a piece of history I knew nothing about. McCully does a great job of simplifying the story and making it accessible. The historical note in the back provides a little more information and notes how remarkable it was that Doc Key was able to do what he did considering the time frame. It's incredibly sad to think that as a society we haven't gotten too much better about cruelty to animals.
Mar 19, 2011
Becky
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Picture book adaptation of a true story, by the always-wonderful Emily Arnold McCully. Be kind to animals; they are intelligent and have feelings too! I love how Doc Key always believed in Jim, even though he wasn't the race horse he'd hoped for.
Includes an Author's Note and Bibliography. And check out Beautiful Jim Key's web site: http://www.beautifuljimkey.com/
Includes an Author's Note and Bibliography. And check out Beautiful Jim Key's web site: http://www.beautifuljimkey.com/
Aug 30, 2011
Melanie
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Wonder Horse tells the story of "Doc" Key and Jim, his horse. After Emancipation, Bill Key became a veterinarian who focused on animal welfare. He bought an Arabian mare from a circus for $40. She had a foal who Bill trained to know letters, numbers, colors, addition and subtraction.
Based on a true story with historical information included.
Based on a true story with historical information included.
Jul 20, 2010
Cfett
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Delightful story about an intelligent horse named Jim who is lame from birth. Jim tries so hard to prove himself, that his owner (Bill "Doc" Key, takes him on the road. Doc, a veterinarian, believes that animals should be treated with kindness and patience. Is is amazing to learn about Jim and his relationship with Doc.
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Jan 06, 2011
Diana
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I liked the story which will have immediate appeal to most children. However, after reading the non-fiction description of Jim Key, I found myself wondering how factual the book really was. I would have liked to have seen a clear connection of the events described within the book to the non-fiction summary.
Oct 14, 2011
Liz
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What makes this an excellent children's book.
1. Illustrations are beautiful and charming.
2. It is based on a true story
3. The theme is kindness to animals
4. It includes a bibliography and some historical facts (for the adults)
Having read the book "Beautiful Jim Key" by Mim Rivas I know that there was a lot left out, but what you do have is enough to make many, if not most, people want to know more.
1. Illustrations are beautiful and charming.
2. It is based on a true story
3. The theme is kindness to animals
4. It includes a bibliography and some historical facts (for the adults)
Having read the book "Beautiful Jim Key" by Mim Rivas I know that there was a lot left out, but what you do have is enough to make many, if not most, people want to know more.
Aug 16, 2010
Virginia
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In addition to being a good story, this is based on truth and tells us about an unknown slave who became a vet and a businessman and who was one of the early believers in kindness when training animals. Author's notes are good and put the story in the proper place in history.
Nov 04, 2010
Marianna
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Jim Key is one smart horse, but people don't believe it's real. This story is loosely based on a true story in post-Civil War Tennessee. A story that shows by example how being kind to animals will benefit everyone.
Nov 28, 2010
Allison
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Excellent. I probably wouldn't have believed this story to be true if I had read it a few years ago, before watching a dog play, and win, at tic-tac-toe. This is a very cool story about a very smart horse!
Nov 11, 2010
Jessica
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An absolutely wonderful picture book story with wonderful bibliography at the end, which makes me want to do further research on both the remarkable man and the Wonder Horse.
Aug 24, 2010
Kathy
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People and animals can amaze us. We just have to believe in their worth, always. Truly an amazing man and an amazing horse in this book based on a actual events.
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Jul 07, 2010
Beth
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Both Bill and his horse, Jim, have to deal with prejudices. The solution to both a past slave turned veterinarian and an alphabet and color knowing horse is kindness.
Jul 19, 2011
Becky
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This would make a good discussion with students if they believe animals are as start as humans or not.
Jun 17, 2011
Mary
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True story of a former slave training a horse to recognize letters, colors, etc.
