Book Review: A Unicorn is Born

Title: A Unicorn is Born
Author: Trinie Dalton, Illustrated by Kathrin Ayer
Published: 2007, Abrams Image
Rating: 4/5

This is a delightful book for any young girl or woman who is fascinated with the legend of the unicorn. This short story recounts a mare's pregnancy, birth, and rearing of her firstborn foal. The author does a wonderful job of weaving many legends of the unicorn into her story, and the influence of Robert Vavra's "Unicorns I have Known" is noticeable. The illustrations have a child, dreamlike, quality and are a pleasure to look at. However, the book seems to end abruptly before the young unicorn even reaches her first birthday and leaves the reader wondering what will become of Uma as her powers increase. While this book is an enjoyable read, Dalton could have brought her story to a much higher level by lengthening the tale.

Book Review: Horses in Japan

Title: Horses in Japan
Author: Vivienne Kenrick (deceased)
Published: 1964, Hokuseido Press for J.A. Allen & Co, Ltd. Published in Japan
Score: 5/5

"Why tether your young horse
To a blossoming cherry tree?
As he prances
The flowers will flutter and fall."
     -Min-yo, Folk Song (from the introduction)

In this well researched and breathtaking informational book Kenrick reveals the spirit of the horse in Japan from mythology to Post-World War II. Similar to Robert Vavra's musical soundtrack "Horses of the Wind" the reader is taken on a journey of the horse in Japanese culture. The reader will encounter the ancient war horse, the samurai and his horsemanship skills, and the introduction of European breeds into the land of the rising sun. Kenrick leaves the reader with the understanding of the great role horses have played in the Japanese culture through history, art, and religion. The translated Japanese texts Kenrick selected to be a part of her pages are fascinating and provides her work with the essence of the horse. Kenrick's desire to make horses of Japan known has continued from beyond the grave.

Book Review: Bold Ruler

Title: Bold Ruler
Series: Thoroughbred Legends #24
Author: Edward L. Bowen
Published: 2005, Blood-Horse Publications
Rating: 4.5/5

Bold Ruler was an eight-time leading sire and fathered the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Bowen delved into the past of Bold Ruler's owner, his famous trainer, and his regular jokey making them living beings again. The writer has thoroughly done his research supporting the story of Bold Ruler with quotes from magazines and newspapers when racing was a daily covered event during the 1950's. Bowen provided backgrounds on Bold Ruler's main adversaries so that the reader could imagine just what kinds of horses that Bold Ruler was going up against. At times, however, he dedicated too many pages to the background of other horses, including the ancestry of Bold Ruler. These sections may draw some readers away from the main story but they are filled with interesting history and facts. Bowen, the former editor-in-chief of "The Blood-Horse", has indeed written a great tribute to Bold Ruler.