CUSTER: The True Story of a Horse

Young Custer is perfectly happy on a farm where he snitches food from the farmhouse kitchen and enjoys the company of cows. But deciding that the horse must be trained, the farmer sells him to a riding school, which suits him not at all. Next stop is another farm, where he meets Minto, a new wild mare; the two escape together and have a glorious run to the beach, becoming inseparable friends before Custer leads Minto back home. King (Cloudy, 1990) narrates with a mellow, understated humor that will recommend her true story to Herriot's fans; her watercolor illustrations are outstanding, romantic yet realistic, with some delightful compositions (Custer peering out of a row of cows, or communing with a sympathetic cat in his new home) and lovely glimpses of the English countryside. Like Parnall's Stuffer (below), a treat for horse lovers and art lovers; of the two books, this has more warmth and appeal.