Stick Horse Derby: Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers’ Favorite
Stick Horse Derby by Mark Wayne Adams is a 42-page children’s story in rhyme. It’s a fun tale about a child who wants a racehorse so she can compete on a professional level. This story is unique in that it gives the reader a taste of horse racing and some interesting information about the Kentucky Derby, all the while wrapping it around the desires of a young child. And that child is insistent on getting what she wants, and now! But the wisdom of the parents prevails, and she learns that although she doesn’t get what she wants, she is able to use her imagination and have fun with alternatives. After a few hard lessons, that is.
I find it rare for an author to have skills as an illustrator equal to or exceeding the prose, but that is exactly what you get with this book. The pictures are colorful, detailed and a delight for young readers and the story scans well. I appreciate the parents’ involvement in the child’s life. Instead of leaving her to her own devices and frustrations, they gently guide her learning until she is able to come out as a winner and inspire her friends along the way. Stick Horse Derby by Mark Wayne Adams is a fun, colorful adventure for young readers that will enhance their creativity while teaching them about our racing heritage at the same time. The end of the book has a section filled with Kentucky Derby facts, stick horse derby vocabulary, a word search, and finally a crossword puzzle. Highly recommended.
