Terrible Horses - by Raymond Antrobus (Hardcover)

About the Book

"For one little boy and his older sister, fights are always waiting to happen--when he takes something without asking, jumps on her bed without asking, even wanders off without asking. And when they fight, they don't use words: it's all push, pull, hurt, hide. To cool off after, the boy retreats to his room to write and draw stories--stories about terrible horses trampling and galloping, while he is a lone pony unable to compete or speak or sleep. One morning, the boy wakes up to find his sketchbook missing, taken by his sister. What now? Will this make things worse, or could it help them to finally understand each other? With empathy and simplicity, Terrible Horses has much to say about using creativity to rein in anger, reflect, and see life through someone else's eyes"--

Book Synopsis

In a relatable tale about two siblings at constant odds, a child discovers that expressing himself through stories can help resolve conflict and generate understanding.

My sister is cooler than me.
I want her friends to be my friends.
I want her things to be my things.

For one little boy and his older sister, fights are always waiting to happen--when he takes something without asking, jumps on her bed without asking, even wanders off without asking. And when they fight, they don't use words: it's all push, pull, hurt, hide. To cool off after, the boy retreats to his room to write and draw stories--stories about terrible horses trampling and galloping, while he is a lone pony unable to compete or speak or sleep. One morning, the boy wakes up to find his sketchbook missing, taken by his sister. What now? Will this make things worse, or could it help them to finally understand each other? With empathy and simplicity, Terrible Horses has much to say about using creativity to rein in anger, reflect, and see life through someone else's eyes.

Review Quotes

Older/younger sibling conflicts are faced head-on, thanks to a herd of horses. . . . Antrobus takes a universal conflict and deftly synthesizes it to its most essential parts. Words and pictures work in tandem, expertly speaking volumes with minimal text. . . Both big and little siblings will see a bit of themselves in this exquisite equine-saturated tale.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This book poignantly explores sibling relationships--where many children first develop the complicated and difficult tools for interacting with their peers. . . . Regulating emotions is difficult, even for only children, and this is a great story to start discussions on big feelings.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

A child with brown skin who wears hearing aids narrates this acutely felt story about sibling conflict. . . . Antrobus sees and validates the anger and wounding that erupts during fights and offers, at the end, hope and connection that feel real.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Poet Antrobus (Can Bears Ski?, 2020) offers a heartwarming picture book that delves into the complexities of sibling relationships with empathy and creativity. . . . This artful picture book celebrates the power of storytelling as a bridge between siblings, showcasing how creativity and understanding can mend even the most tumultuous relationships.
--Booklist

"Already one of my favorite picture books of 2024. . . . It's an amazing inclusive story of sibling love and frustration. Antrobus does so much with so little. He just taps into that little sibling longing to be with the older kids so well."
--A Fuse 8 Production (An SLJ blog)

This tale captures both siblings' angst as well as the transformative power of art.
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Raymond Antrobus is the author of Can Bears Ski?, illustrated by Polly Dunbar, his picture book debut. A recipient of the Ted Hughes Award for his adult poetry collection The Perseverance, he was awarded an MBE for his services to literature in 2021. Originally from London, Raymond Antrobus lives in Oxhey Village, England.

Ken Wilson-Max was born and raised in Zimbabwe and studied design in the UK. He is the author-illustrator of many children's books, including Astro Girl, Eco Girl, and Where's Lenny? Ken Wilson-Max lives in Middlesex, England.