Snow Horses: A First Night Story

by Patricia MacLachlan

From Newbery Medal–winning author Patricia MacLachlan comes a cozy picture book of love, light, and community during New Year’s and taking the past with us as we step into the future, brought to life with tender and intricate cut paper illustrations.

On the very last evening before the new year, when the snow is falling soft and thick, two black horses wait for the jingle of their sled. As they ride about town, they will spread light to their beloved neighbors, bidding farewell to the last night—and saying hello to the first morning.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Animals, Childrens, Horses, Fiction, Christmas

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2022

About the author

Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Anna]

Micha Archer's illustrations are stunning - vibrant, textured and evocative. They're so strong I didn't feel the accompanying text was needed; it fell flat in comparison (hence the four, not five, stars overall).

[Peacegal]

Such a magical, wintry book. I know I would have loved this as a child, for both the vibrant illustrations and the fact that it stars horses.

[Tiffany T]

The art in this book is stunning. I like how the story discusses both children and grandparents and the nature of time.

[Madison]

This was so stinking cute! As a horse girl Tim and Tom have my heart

[Plainsboro Public Library]

"Snow Horses" by Patricia Maclachlan is a magical journey for 1st graders that captures the true spirit of New Year's celebration. This heartwarming book delivers a positive message that resonates with young minds, helping them understand the significance of the occasion. The story unfolds with captivating illustrations that instantly drew in the children I read it to. The artwork deserves a solid five stars for its vibrant and enchanting portrayal of the snowy world within the pages. The pictures not only complement the narrative but also enhance the overall reading experience for both kids and adults. What makes "Snow Horses" stand out is its exceptional communication skills. Because of the author's special ability to relate to young readers, the plot is interesting and simple to follow. As a teen who has shared this book with many children, I can confidently say that it sparks curiosity and excitement in the little ones, making it a perfect addition to any 1st-grade reading list. In summary, "Snow Horses" earns a well-deserved five stars for its brilliant illustrations and effective communication. This book is a pleasant journey that teaches a good lesson about the real meaning of the New Year's celebration in addition to providing entertainment.

"Snow Horses" by Patricia Maclachlan is a delightful book for 1st graders, offering a heartwarming and magical tale that beautifully conveys the true essence of New Year's. The book's positive message about hope and new beginnings is skillfully communicated through enchanting illustrations that bring the winter wonderland to life. With its simple yet profound storytelling, this five-star gem stands out, making it a highly recommended read for children and a joy for teen readers to share with their younger audience.

Tithi Mehta, Grade 9

[Shannon Green-Kingery]

This beautifully illustrated little book took me back to my childhood and holidays at my grandparents' house with all the extended family. It warmed my heart and made me long for simpler days when people were kinder and took time to fully enjoy the preparations for Christmas and New Year and each other. Lovely!

[Zoe]

Snow Horses is the first New Year's book I have ever read! The illustrations in this book are truly a work of art!

[Dawn Foster]

Come for the story, stay for the illustrations!!!

[DaNae]

As a summer solstice baby I’m partial to the winter one. I’m so happy to add another choice to read, if it really can’t compare to Susan Cooper. It is lovely and gentle and the illustrations are enchanting. MacLachlan has left us a postcard to cherish as we miss her.

And it needs to be said that for over a decade I poured my heart into a library at a school with the same name. (It really has nothing to do with the book, but there was no way I wasn’t going to get it.)

I wish this book hadn’t taken over four months to get to me, but then it’s April and I’m on Spring Break and I’ve spent the morning shoveling snow - so maybe now that I have finally read the book, the blasted weather can turn.

[Guilherme Semionato]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0eEu...
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=598...

[Juli Anna]

An absolute gem in both words and pictures. A wonderful secular holiday story.

[Gabrielle Stoller]

I liked this book far more than I thought I would upon first glance. It is such a great New Year's Eve/First Night story about spreading joy and happiness, light and warmth and community. It made me want to go on a sled ride and ring in the new year.

[Edward Sullivan]

A unique, evocative celebration of New Year's Eve.

[Panda Incognito]

This picture book is overly lengthy for the minimal story, but the illustrations are nice and it is fairly unusual to have a book about New Year's Eve.

[Thompson McLeod]

From the beautiful cover art to the captivating illustrations by Micha Archer, Snow Horses: A First Night Story is the most gorgeous book of the season. Sure to win multiple awards, this a heartwarming book capturing the magic of a sleigh ride on New Year's Eve.

Tim and Tom are big Percheron horses, black as midnight, and they're excited to see Jenny when she comes to the barn. They know they're in for a treat. Jenny leads them out to the sleigh and hitches them up. The sleigh is quite a sight to behold with its sleigh bells and lights. Jenny rides into the town where children are happy to see the sleigh. Children climb aboard for a sleigh ride through the snow.

Later, Jenny heads to the manor where older people are congregating. They climb aboard and talk about their their childhoods. A golden retriever follows the sleigh everywhere it goes. Jenny returns to the barn and puts Tim and Tom inside. They are so happy because they love the snow and the people.

Jenny's yellow dog is tired after his travels with the sleigh. He curls up in front of the fireplace on First Night.

Beautiful story of a community of kind and giving neighbors. The two black horses are magical. Archer captures the snow and the season so well, you can almost feel the snow and hear the sleigh bells.

Snow Horses: A First Night Story is a gem of a story and a sparking jewel of a book!

Being from the South, I'd never heard of First Night. You really can learn so much from picture books!

Highly recommended and should be featured in all art classes as an example of ART.

Ages 3 and up.

[Kathryn]

The illustrations are beautiful. My sons and I pored over the the page with all of the snowy trees (collage style, the snow is lace doilies, paper doilies, just exquisite!) I love all the blues (snow blue, sky blue), snowflakes and warm glowing lights throughout. Five stars for the illustrations! I think I liked them even better than in Prairie Days. That said, the story was a little underwhelming for me. It's a very nice story of a small town coming together on sleigh rides to help celebrate New Year's Eve bit seems to ramble a bit and lacked the emotional tug that I expected. Still, picture books about New Year's celebrations are fairly rare (especially after all the Christmas titles!) so I appreciate that aspect and do recommend it for the illustrations or if you are trying to be a Patricia MacLachlan completest.

[Bethany]

To celebrate a new year, a horse owner named Jenny gets her horses ready for a sleigh ride and they're just as excited for it as she is. Tim and Tom are the names of the horses and they're a stunning midnight color that stands out in the white wintry weather. People of all ages, both young and old, look forward to seeing the sleigh with Tim and Tom. It's a great way to kick off a new year in a way that gathers all the neighbors together to celebrate life and new beginnings.

SNOW HORSES captures the magic of First Night/New Year's Eve with it's wintry theme and magical elements. The illustrations are captivating and vibrant with remarkable details. I love how this story is also about bringing people together to brighten their nights and prepare for a new year. My daughter loves horses and this makes for a great New Year's Eve story.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who love horses and who like to celebrate the new year. It's a story both children and their parents will enjoy together.

[Jill]

The artists made her own paper and ink for these collages. That should stop any beauty-loving person right there and raise their curiosity to the “I need to find this book now” level. And they would be correct to do so.

The story is simple and direct, but full of the kind of winter-coziness imagery I love. A woman takes out her beloved horses to travel to a local village to give the children a night time ride on her sleigh. Then back again to send them home to sweet dreams and loving homes. She then gathers up the older generation of the village and takes them on a ride. They are remembering their rides when they were younger and their days of dressing in the same colors the children wear now. After everyone is taken home, the driver and her two work-loving horses return to their own home in the quiet stillness of the first night of the year.

It’s just glorious.

Go find it and read it—quickly at first to grasp the story and then a slow stroll through it again to revel in each small detail. You may need more than one reread to get it all.

Glory, how I love picture books!

[Karen Gedeon]

Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrations by Micha Archer – On New Years Eve, Jenny hooks Tom & Tim, her two horses, to a large sleigh and they trot around town giving everyone sleigh rides. A town tradition, youngsters and elderly alike enjoy the sleigh ride making and reliving memories along the way. Archer’s collage illustrations made of homemade papers, inks and other objects give the text beautifully created texture and shape. Astute readers will spy a tree made of staff paper, curtains made of lace and even trees made of paper doilies, all of which add to charm of this nondenominational story. A great addition for classrooms and libraries looking to increase their winter picture book collections without touching on any religions or cultures. Grades 1-4.

[StoryTimeReadAloud]

It snows on New Year's Eve and the Percheron horses Tim and Tom are excited to pull the sled. As they make their rounds, kids are excited to see them, the scenery is pristine and magical. After the kids head to bed, the older crowd come out reflecting on their own youthful New Year's eves (beautiful image of aging here, always poignant at a New Year). The horses return to the barn, welcoming a new year.

The illustrations were lovely. They were a mix painting, drawing, and collage (collage for sure, maybe or maybe not the painting). I read the illustrator "works in collage with homemade papers and inks." I would have loved a bit more information about how she made the illustrations because they felt so unique and I can't 100% pinpoint all of it.

[Erin Buhr]

SNOW HORSES is written by Newberry Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Micha Archer. They created PRAIRIE DAYS together. This is similar in some ways - it has a timeless feeling to the story, a celebration of simple country life, and gorgeous artwork. I think Archer's textured, layered artwork steals the show in this picture book. It is stunning. So meticulous in it's detail and creative in the assortment of techniques and materials utilized. The story is wintry story about two horses that pull a sleigh through a town and ends with a message of Happy New Year. A beautiful new book sure to grace wintry shelves for a long time.

[Heidi]

Snow Horses follows the celebration of New Year's Day by sleigh ride. Jenny hitches up her beautiful black Percheron horses to a large sleigh and takes people for a ride. First, a group of children enjoy a ride around town, followed by a golden dog. Afterwards, Jenny and the horses take a group of older people for a ride as well, before returning to the barn for a good rub down and lump of sugar. The book radiates joy and celebration and memories. It reminded me of the hayrides I used to enjoy when I was younger, not in a sleigh, but in a wagon. MacLachlan's text flows beautifully and works well for reading out loud. And Archer's stunning collage illustrations are well worth taking time to study closely. The illustrations are amazing. I loved this book, not only for the great writing and illustrations, but for the memories and the joy that it radiates.

[Lauren]

The perfect cozy bedtime story for New Year's Eve--or any winter night. Of course I would be partial to this since I love horses. I liked that the horses in this story looked and acted like actual horses too--as someone who grew up on a farm, it can be jarring when people write about an animal and then have it not act unrealistically. In other words, many horses appreciate nose kisses! The multimedia illustrations are interesting, it's fun to try to pick out the various materials pieced together to create the different elements. It was also nice to see some characters with melanin in this story! I wish I could go on a sleigh ride...

[Christie Kaaland]

The percheron horses Tim and Tom love winter, love the snow, and when Jenny arrives in the barn, they are excited to be bridled up (with sleigh bells), to celebrate the last night of the old year. The giant brightly colored sleigh soon fills with the neighborhood children who delightfully ride through the snowy neighborhood. When the children are dropped off to snuggle in dream-filled nights, the second ride picks up memory-sweeping adults who have had this adventure since childhood. All help celebrate in this gentle, beautifully illustrated New Year story.

[Liz]

I had never heard First Night, but I learned something new from a kids' book. First Night is a family-friendly way to celebrate the end of the year and welcome the new. In the story, the horses, Tim and Tom, pull a sleigh through town to celebrate with everyone, young and old. Archer's collage illustrations really carry the book for me with all of the colors you would see in a wintertime celebration full of twinkling lights.

[Connie T.]

Jenny hitches her two horses to a sleigh and gives the children a ride around town. She then gives the older folks a ride around and they remember places from the past. It isn't until the last page that there's a mention of the New Year and it's implied that the sleigh rides are a tradition. However there isn't much context to explain what is going on.

The artwork is lovely but I found the story disappointing.

[Brittany]

This book is absolutely beautiful, from the sweet story to the stunning illustrations. I loved it! The illustrations were created with homemade papers and ink (collage style) and they just made the entire story jump off of every page. It REALLY makes me want to take a sleigh ride somewhere! This would be the perfect New Years read for ages 12 and under. (Yes, I said even up to 12 year old kids because it would be so fun to do a themed paper collage art project afterwards!)

[Kristin Nelson]

A beautiful book! Micha Archer made this book come alive with her stunning collage illustrations. The snowflakes and lights are spectacular. It took me so long to read this because I couldn't stop studying and admiring the illustrations!

[Bethe]

5 stars. Cozy holiday book about New Year’s Eve, 2 devoted horses and their owner, and a community of young and old. Don’t forget the little golden dog! Such wonderfully happy illustrations throughout, including case cover art and end pages. I want to go in a sleigh ride now! For the loose looking for the elusive New Year’s Eve book for holiday collections.

[Rose Rosetree]

Cut paper illustrations by Micha Archer give a distinctive look to this story about New Year's Eve-and-into-morning, a.k.a. "First Night."

Patricia MacLachlan adds poetic words to set a mood, and also to tell the story.

Even to an experienced grownup, the storytelling is enchanting. I can only imagine the impact it would have on an imaginative child. Beautiful!