In this familiar tale, what Mr. Horse deems near disaster is just what his riders always wanted. When he asks, "Who wants a ride?" Mr. Horse has many takers among the barnyard's denizens—Cat, Dog, Pig and Duck; "clip-clop, clippity-clop
" acts as the tale's refrain. Much like a parent eager to satisfy his children's wishes, Mr. Horse agrees to their requests with some safety tips. "Up you get," he repeatedly responds, then "hold on tight
!" when the child-like passengers beg him to go faster. Smee's bold black outline and watercolor wash portray the friendly characters against a vast white space, with Dog's wagging tail and the hero's hooves suggesting movement. But once Mr. Horse quickens his pace, the spreads mirror the intensity; the typeface increases in size, as does the image of the steed (with animals atop his back) galloping across the pages. When the four begin to lose their grip, Mr. Horse "skids to a halt
!" and the riders tumble safely into a haystack. Though the horse's urgent cries of "Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dearie me!" echo those of a concerned caregiver, even youngest readers will appreciate the animals' exuberant chorus of "Again!" as they climb up for another ride. All ages. (Apr.)
