Paul Goble's books are always so pretty. I read this one as a little kid, but it's been a while, so I had to read it again when it turned up as a new edition. When I get a house of my own and a permanent place for my library, I plan to have a collection of all Goble's books, including this one. They're definitely not just kids' books.


(I received my copy of this book free in exchange for a fair review.) ( )

Some picture books are just so beautiful they’re hard to put down. Paul Goble’s Horse Raid falls into this category. The story, though told to young readers, is by no means simple. It’s a well-researched depiction of life in the Plains, when buffalo still ran wild, and horses were the measure of a man. The youthful protagonist wants to prove himself a man, and his grandfather helps him sneak out after his father’s raiding party. But father knows more than he lets on, and older readers will quickly see how plans have come together to give this boy his chance at adulthood.

Responsibility, respect, and recognition of cultural mores underpin this tale. Neither war nor theft are glorified, but a world is brought to life, and the reader, young or old, is given a chance to share something of that world’s experience. Beautiful pictures adorn the pages, darkness bringing the secrecy of night, horses flying like the wind, riders wearing their eagle feathers, inviting questions to work out what they mean. Fighting, feeling, mourning and rejoicing, all are gorgeously depicted on pages filled with intricate details, complex pattern, and deceptive simplicity.

Horse Raid is quite simply a gorgeous book—a well told tale, beautifully illustrated, honest, evocative, captivating, and true.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and I offer my honest review. ( )

Horse Raid – the Making of a Warrior

This short story by Paul Goble is a great introduction to the world of Native American tribes. Told and illustrated by Paul, Horse Raid is a new edition of the 1973 story Lone Bull’s Horse Raid.

The story is fast paced and details the excitement and fear of a 14 year old boy eager to join in on the horse raids of the men of his tribe. An author’s note is provided, detailing the history of horse raids between Native American tribes, where raiding another tribe’s horses is seen as the most heroic of acts carried out by men.

Less than 50 pages in length, Horse Raid is an entertaining short story told from the point of view of young Lone Bull as he and his friend Charging Bear decide to stalk the older men who are taking on a raid with their nearby enemies, the Crows. I’m sure it’d be a great book for younger readers who will also delight in the illustrations. ( )