Inspiring Horse-Themed Books Your Tweens Will Love
Do you have young readers who have a love of horses? Or you may have a young child who wants to know more about this magnificent creature, the horse. Horse lovers of all ages will enjoy reading these inspiring books about their equine friends!
Although our family does not have a horse of our own, my children love horseback riding, learning about how to care for horses, and especially reading books about them. I think every young child’s dream is to ride off into the sunset on a stunning steed into a world of daring adventures.
Reading books about horses enables our kids to do just that. They can jump into an imaginary equine world where they can ride horses to their heart’s content. Additionally, they can learn so much detailed information about horses along the way!
Horse Inspiration
In everything living being we study, we see the fingerprints of our Creator. God created horses on the sixth day of creation, the same day He created mankind. In the book of Job, the Bible describes God’s striking design of the horse in this way.
“Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a man? Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying. He paws in the valley and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.”
“Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear, and the javelin. With fierceness and rage, he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet. When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.”
Truly the horse is a marvel worthy of our observation!
Great Horse Stories
These are some of our tween’s favorite chapter books about horses!
*This post contains affiliate links which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family!
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
Marguerite Henry has written several horse books, but Misty of Chincoteague is perhaps her most popular horse book of all. Follow the story of Paul and Maureen Beebe as they try to earn enough to buy the wild mare Phantom and her beautiful foal Misty among the wild ponies on Assateague Island.
- Henry, Marguerite (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages – 12/26/2006 (Publication Date) – Aladdin (Publisher)
Other excellent Marguerite Henry books:
Sea Star ( the sequel to Misty of Chincoteague)
Brighty of the Grand Canyon ( a story of a young burro)
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
This was one of the first chapter books I read aloud to my kids when we started homeschooling so it holds a very special memory for me. I love how this story is told in first person so the reader can experience Beauty’s life step-by-step through each change from birth on an iconic English horse farm, to working as a cab horse to his final days. The reader feels deep sympathy for Black Beauty when he is treated cruelly by his masters and relief when he retires to the countryside later in his life. This book is a tear-jerker so grab some tissues!
- Sewell, Anna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 162 Pages – 07/22/2024 (Publication Date) – Sky Publishing (Publisher)
A Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
In the third book of Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia book series, Shasta and his horse Bree meet with Aravis and her horse Hwin as they are fleeing Calormen. The four embark on an adventurous journey heading for the beautiful country of Narnia.
- Author: C.S. Lewis.
- Publisher: HarperTrophy
- Pages: 241
- Publication Date: 2002
- Edition: 3
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
Ralph Moody is a wonderful author for boys. This book, based on the autobiographical true story of his life, tells how he learned to be a cowboy riding horses on the family farm in Colorado. His family experiences many hardships, but these difficulties teach him hard work and many other valuable lessons. When his father dies, Ralph has to step up and be the man of the family. Little Britches is the first book in this series.
- Moody, Ralph (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 260 Pages – 09/01/1991 (Publication Date) – Bison Books (Publisher)
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Little White Horse is lovely fairy tale with colorful imagery which makes it a wonderful choice for a tween girl. Thirteen year old orphan Maria Merryweather discovers many mysteries at Moon Acre Manor where she is taken after the death of her parents. Young women will fall in love with the beautiful estate and the people and animals she meets there, especially the little white horse.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Goudge, Elizabeth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 239 Pages – 12/31/2001 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
Rush Revere Series by Rush Limbaugh
If you would like to teach United States history to a child with a love of horses, the Rush Revere series is the way to go! In these amazing books, Rush goes back into history as Paul Revere with his horse Liberty. Together they “rush, rush, rush into history!” They relive important historical events like the landing of the pilgrims, the Revolutionary War, and many others. Revere’s time-traveling, talking horse Liberty are there for the Boston Tea Party and the battle at Lexington and Concord. My boys especially loved listening to this series on audiobooks!
- Audible Audiobook
- Rush Limbaugh (Author) – Rush Limbaugh (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/11/2014 (Publication Date) – Simon & Schuster Audio (Publisher)
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
This classic tale is sure to be one of your kids’ favorite horse books! While traveling home from visiting his uncle in India, a young boy Alec sees a wild stallion on the shore shortly before they both board the ship. While en route home, the vessel is caught in a tumultuous storm which sinks the ship. Alec and the wild horse pull through but are stranded on an island where they quickly become good friends as they struggle to survive. This is the first in the black stallion series. Our family loved watching the wild Black Stallion movie best which follows the storyline closely.
- Farley, Walter (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 187 Pages – 08/20/1991 (Publication Date) – Yearling (Publisher)
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
War Horse is the story of a horse and boy in conflict. Albert is separated from his beloved horse, Joey at the onset of World War I. As the family grows poorer in the war, Albert’s father gives Joey away to the army. He shifts from unwanted farm horse to a calvary horse. Since the story is told from the perspective of the horse, the reader can sense the devastation of war, the conflict courage and fear, and the hope of being reunited with Albert. This is a wonderful story of friendship and war that will move your kids to courageously live sacrificially for others.
- World War I
- Morpurgo, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages – 09/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Scholastic Press (Publisher)
Horse Picture books
Tweens are not too old for picture books! Because of their colorful illustrations and engaging plots, your kids will love these stories!
Billy and Blaze by C.W. Anderson
This series of books is the perfect way to introduce young horse lovers with early reading skills to great horse stories. Each page has short paragraphs in large print with a black and white picture illustrating the story. The main character, a young boy named Billy, receives his very own horse for his birthday. Billy instantly loves his horse Blaze and rides him every day. The Billy and Blaze picture books tell of their adventures and tales of friendship.
- Anderson, C.W. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 56 Pages – 04/01/1992 (Publication Date) – Aladdin (Publisher)
Bonnie’s Big Day by James Herriot
Each of the James Herriot books are based on true stories from his career as a veterinarian. Young children will be delighted with this tale of an old farmer, John Skipton, who enters his retired horse Bonny in a family pets competition at the local fair. Dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, and even a pet pig are all expected entries for the family pets class. But a horse?! This is great book for all animal lovers!
- Hardcover Book
- James Herriot (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/12/1987 (Publication Date) – St. Martin’s Press (Publisher)
Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett
Reading this book is a great way to remind children that being useful can be better than being beautiful. In this horse story, a small town is known for its beautiful horses, but Fritz the pony is so plain that nobody notices him. He is unremarkable until he can solve a problem that none of the other horses can solve. Jan Brett’s bright colors and detailed illustrations engage young readers.
- Ages 4 and up Pony Hero Rescue Parade Horse Jumper Charges
- Brett, Jan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 09/21/1987 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
Leonardo’s Horse by Jean Fritz
Leonardo da Vinci is one of my favorite people to study with our kids because he loved to learn about everything. Although he is most known for his art, he was also an astronomer, mathematician, musician, architect, inventor, and more! In this story, we learn of the famous bronze horse statue he was commissioned to create by the Duke of Milan. Leonardo spends much time observing the anatomy of the horse, its muscles and bones. But war and disappointments rendered the sculpture incomplete. He grieved his unfinished horse on his death bed. Leonardo’s dream of the bronze horse died along with him…until many years later another artist revives the dream and finishes Leonardo’s bronze horse.
- Putnam Publishing Group
- Hardcover Book
- Fritz, Jean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 10/01/2001 (Publication Date) – G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Calico the Wonder Horse by Virginia Lee Burton
Caldecott Medalist (and one of my favorite authors) Virginia Lee Burton wrote this adorable horse story which is a perfect gift to give your kids for Christmas. Calico is not a very beautiful horse, but she is smart and very fast. When cowboy Hank saved her from wolves as a colt, she decided that day she would be loyal to him. In Cactus County Badlands, villain Stewy Stinker and his gang of bad men threaten to hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Through a series of adventures, Calico and Hank save the day just in time for the Christmas celebration.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Burton, Virginia Lee (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 262 Pages – 10/30/1997 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
Mrs. Mack by Patricia Polacco
If you like reading books by Patricia Polacco who also wrote “Thank You, Mr. Falkner” and “The Bee Tree”, you will enjoy this picture book as well. She wrote this book about herself. As a young girl, she waited so long to be able to ride horses. One day her father decides it is finally time and takes her to see Mrs. Mack. She can’t help but be disappointed to see the stable she will train at is in a very shabby section of town. Mrs. Mack teaches her all she knows about riding. While at the stable, Patricia meets a beautiful mare, Penny with whom she instantly connects. Patricia learns some valuable life lessons from her time at the stables with Mrs. Mack and Penny. This is a great book for girls!
- Looking to learn a thing or two about horses and life? This is the book for you!!
- Polacco, Patricia (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 01/15/2001 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
If you want to find the best horse books for your children, this list of horse books is a great place to start! Whether your children have never been horseback riding or perhaps, on the other hand, have a horse of their own, they will quickly adore these well-loved stories.
For more book list posts, you may enjoy reading these!
Creepy-Crawly Bug Book List for Kids
21 Must-Read Children’s Books About Courage
Books and Resources to Teach Kids About Honesty
