Race the Wild Wind: A Story of the Sable Island Horses

by Sandra Markle, Layne Johnson (Illustrator)

From acclaimed science writer Sandra Markle comes a fascinating survival story about the wild horses of Sable Island. During a shipwreck, a young stallion leads a band of horses to safety on an arc of golden land-Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia. In gorgeously illustrated panoramic views, readers will see how the herd quickly adapted to harsh winters before the warmth of spring brought new life and new foals. But when a severe summer storm puts the horses in danger once again, only by racing the wild wind can they survive the trials of nature in their new home.

Genres: Picture Books, Horses, Childrens, Science, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 19, 2011

About the author

Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."

Reviews

[Abigail]

Prolific children's author Sandra Markle joins forces with illustrator Layne Johnson in this picture-book set on Canada's famed Sable Island. When a herd of domesticated horses is left behind on the tiny crescent isle off the coast of Nova Scotia, the young stallion in their midst emerges as a leader, helping the others to adapt to this strange and free new life. Eventually the herd flourishes, going on to make a home for themselves in this new place. The book closes with an author's note about the true story behind her fictional narrative, and about horses, as well as a list of further reading ideas...

Having recently enjoyed Briana Corr Scott's She Dreams of Sable Island , a poetic picture-book about a young girl who dreams of exploring the eponymous isle, I went in search of other picture-books about this extraordinary place. I'm glad that I did, as I found Race the Wild Wind: A Story of the Sable Island Horses to be immensely enjoyable, pairing a simple but engaging story from Markle with beautiful oil paintings from Johnson. The story of Sable Island and its horses reminds me of similar tales from American history, in which wild horse herds eventually flourished on various islands along the eastern coast, from Virginia's Assateague Island to North Carolina's Outer Banks. The wild horse herds of America's eastern coast are believed to have come from equine survivors of Spanish shipwrecks, during the days of exploration, while the prevailing opinion regarding the origin of the Sable Island herd is that they were let loose deliberately, by a merchant who later intended to collect them, but never did. Whatever the case may be, they continue to thrive to this day, and are beautiful to behold.

Recommended to young horse lovers and to picture-book readers who enjoy animal stories, or are interested in Sable Island. For my own part, I will have to see if I can track down a copy of Free as the Wind: Saving the Horses of Sable Island , which details how Canada's children stepped up to help the eponymous horses, when they were threatened with destruction in the 1960s.

[Barbara]

A ship releases a herd of horses into the sea on an island near Nova Scotia, and the horses must fend for themselves. Although they've been accustomed to humans providing food, water, and shelter for them, suddenly they are forced to fend for themselves as the weather turns colder. (I loved the visual image the sentence "Storms claw at beaches and dunes" brought to my mind, and I almost shivered in sympathy with these creatures. The story focuses on one stallion who likes to race along the dunes and ends up leading many of the others. In fact, the author imagines him herding them up a dune to avoid a fierce winter storm during their second year on the island. Backmatter includes facts about horses and notes about the horses who have lived on Sable Island without humans since the mid-1700s. The oil on canvas illustrations show the liveliness of these horses who learn to survive in the wild. I especially loved the paintings of how they almost disappear in the fog that sometimes covers the island. Horse lovers will cherish this book.

[Peacegal]

Race the Wild Wind is a lushly-illustrated picture book depicting the life experience of a band of horses who are washed overboard during a storm and make their way to Sable Island, based upon true events.

Young horse lovers will gallop to this one, but adults should be aware there is some discussion of the difficulties the horses face in a natural environment. There are references to an older horse dying, stallions fighting, and the horses facing down extreme weather. There are some images where the horses' expressions are full of fright. This content may bother young or sensitive readers. There are also happy and peaceful moments, such as mares caring for their foals and horses running and playing.

Overall, we have a memorable book that shows us the way tough and determined animals can survive and thrive in harsh environments.

[Glenna]

Race the Wild Wind by Sandra Markle is a wonderful story full of vivid imagery and a inspiring story about a stallion who endures the harsh elements of the wild even though he was bred for a different life. This book could be a great resource to introduce children to varies concepts such as survival(and what we need to survive), family dynamics, and the change of seasons. The appeal to young readers lies in its plot; children will be captivated by the story's focus on one stallion and his struggle to adapt to the island.

[Amy]

Bea says she would give this book four stars because she didn't know about these horses and she is interested in learning more about them after reading this book.

That is my main beef - why not give more information in the story! The main story is written quite poetically and is light on details. The author's note at the end talks a little more about the details. We have read quite a few books about the wild horses on Assateague Island and these have a similar history.

[Heidi-Marie]

An imagined how-did story of a stallion and other horses learning to take care of themselves when they first "settled" Sable Island. I love the illustrations. A good choice for the horse-lover. Especially considering the further books and website resources listed in the back. I enjoyed seeing pictures of the real Sable horses--and I'm not as big a horse fan as some of my friends and family!

[Renée]

The idea behind this book, the story of how Sable Island became populated with wild horses, is a good one, but the focus and perspective from one stallion left a lot to be desired, particularly since it reinforced a male-dominated culture. Even if that is how horses herd, I suppose as the reader, I need to do more to reinforce a positive gender association to the children I read this to.

[Linda]

Wonderful picture book about the wild horses of Sable Island. The illustrations lend to the excitement of the horses' fight for survival on this thin strip of land off the coast of Canada, in the Atlantic ocean.

[Donalyn]

This book describes the presumed origins and lives of the wild horses on Sable Island.

[Edward Sullivan]

Good story that horse lovers will certainly appreciate.

[Shelli]

Gorgeous, colorful, eyecatching illustrations are the best part of this story that is based on known facts and some educated guesses, about the horse that reside on Sable Island.

[Marianna]

I did not know the story of these remarkable horses. This story is a fictional account of how they may have come to be there.

[Beverly]

It is amazing that these wild horses can actually eke out a living on such a narrow little island.

[Yuliya Khodos]

For any horse lover a must see. Pictures a breathtaking. Storyline is ok.

[Helen]

This is a nice story about horses dropped off in Canadian islands, who, over time, become wild and free.

[Julia Jasztal]

Mommy's review from 10/8/11 -


This is a beautiful book! As soon as I finish saving this review I'm going to recommend it to a few friends.
The illustrations are beyond beautiful - absolutely stunning. Layne Johnson is brilliant in my opinion. It's not often I'm so taken with paintings but I just kept poring over each page in this book.
This is also the first book I can remember that was based on real events that Julia actually wanted to learn more about the real event(s) behind the fictional story. Usually, when reading a book that has some basis in real life, Julia will pay attention long enough for me to tell her just that. "This actually happened somewhere baby." "This story is slightly changed but someone did go through this." That sort of thing. Once or twice she let me get through the authors note they tend to include to tell you a little more.
But never before has she really, really paid attention and wanted to hear more. That alone impresses me. This is a don't miss for sure - I'd urge anyone to pick it up and give it a shot!

[Russell]

Executed well, can't wait for the sequel!