KIKI AND ME

In this Dutch import, love conquers all—even puberty.

From the moment they meet, it’s love at first sight. Kiki, a pale-skinned young girl, instantly befriends our nameless narrator, a gorgeous horse with a deep black coat. Kiki feeds, grooms, and tidies up after her horse, and the two go on epic rides over different seasons and in various locations. Timmers alternates between meticulous black-and-white pen-and-ink sequences, where nearly every muscle in the horse’s hide is visible, and jaw-dropping full-color wordless landscapes rendered in acrylic. When Kiki grows older and begins spending more time with a new friend (a potential romantic interest), the horse feels insecure: “Maybe Kiki didn’t want me anymore.” The horse’s fear of abandonment is palpable; readers will worry that our hero will be put out to pasture. But Timmers brings the narrative to a delightful ending: The horse is given a companion, too, and Kiki makes it clear that she still adores our protagonist. Timmers’ deeply satisfying conclusion emphasizes that there’s more than enough love to go around; this tale will easily become a beloved classic on the shelves of horse fans. Heck, even the horse averse will cave under the sheer beauty of the illustrations.

Equestrian adoration brought to life via breathtaking artwork—an unequivocal champion.