Everything+but+the+Horse

created by Jessica Valasek

Hobbie, H. (2010). Everything but the horse. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.


Cover image retrieved July 20, 2011 at: Portland book review

__Summary:__
Based on the author's childhood memory of moving to city to farm, this story is about a small girls desire for a horse. After seeing a neighbor girl prance by on a tall, shiny horse, Holly hopes that on her birthday, she can have one too. She approaches her parents only to be told that a horse isn't in the family budget. That doesn't stop Holly as she goes to great lengths to do what she can to be seemingly surrounded by a horse. When her birthday finally arrives, her parents tell her to go to the barn for her present. Will she get what she's been asking for?

__Online Links:__
Learn more about author Hollie Hobbie: Meet Holly Hobbie

Holly Hobbie isn't just the author, she's also the illustrator find out more here: Holly Hobbie the Artist

Learn how to draw a horse just like Holly did: Draw a horse step-by-step

__Discussion Questions:__

 * 1) Explain why you think Holly wanted a horse so badly.
 * 2) Would Holly have made a good horse owner? Explain your reasons.
 * 3) Think about the end of the story and Holly's birthday gift. Describe what Holly thinks of owning a horse now.

__Classroom Activity:__
This activity is intended for upper elementary grades
 * Hollie is writing this story about her childhood in the 1930'a and 1940's. In the illustrations you can see some of the things we have today are much different than what was part of Holly's life growing up, even her clothes are different. Your job is to research a household item or a toy or even a radio program from that time and present it to the class.