THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS HORSE
A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection
Written by Mary Higgins Clark, illustrated by Wendell Minor 
Paula Wiseman Books 
Publication Date: October 25th, 2011 
ISBN 9781416994787
$17.99 • Ages 4-8

Following the success of their New York Times bestselling picture book, Ghost Ship, author Mary Higgins Clark teams up once again with long-time friend and artist Wendell Minor who originally created the cover art for Clark’s first classic, Where are the Children? The setting of the book is based on an actual farm in Litchfield County, Connecticut that has been passed down through nine generations. Wendell’s captivating paintings create the backdrop for Clark’s superior storytelling, making The Magical Christmas Horse a book that captures the true heart of the holidays, and one that families will make part of their Christmas tradition year after year.

Johnny’s wish had come true. His family would be visiting his grandparents for Christmas. His grandparents lived in an old house in New England where his father had been born. The family together, the smells of the cookies baking, the snowy Christmas tree farm with trees of so many shapes and sizes, and most of all the wooden horse he had told his brother Liam about would make this the best Christmas ever. In his grandparents’ attic Johnny finds many treasures, but the wooden horse he remembered so well is missing. How can Johnny make his brother’s Christmas wish come true?

From KIRKUS REVIEWS

“The prolific mystery writer turns her hand to children's Christmas stories with a sentimental tale of a beloved family heirloom that is restored just in time for reappearance under the Christmas tree…Minor's accomplished illustrations in watercolor and gouache provide strong visual personalities for the main characters and a distinct setting on the snowy New England farm with its 19th-century stone farmhouse.” 
 
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Nostalgic paintings and narrative, along with these collaborators’ (Ghost Ship) hefty fan bases, are likely to make this a solid holiday seller...Minor’s gouache and watercolor art, featuring his characteristic exquisite detail, gives the book its magic” – Publisher's Weekly
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From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Eight-year-old Johnny is eager to visit his grandparents in their big stone house in Connecticut. He vividly remembers his last trip there when he was three, and his strongest memory is of a beautiful, hand-carved wooden horse. Johnny tells his little brother, Liam, that this year, it will be his turn to enjoy it–but the horse has vanished. Will wishing be enough to bring it back on Christmas Day? This story of a caring family, skillfully illustrated in gouache and watercolor, warmly and effectively conveys the selfless ideal of the season. – School Library Journal


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