TONY (Children's Horse Story)

Roaring Brook Press/Neal Porter Book, 2017. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/New. Erin Stead tri-color illustrations. CONDITION: NEW 2017 Roaring Brook hardcover (dark gray boards) & dust jacket, first edition, first printing. Tri-color illustrations by Erin Stead. CONTENT: CONTENT: Tony was all white/ large, sturdy,/ with wide gentle eyes and a ton of love . . .. Follow this touching tale of a boy and his friendship with a horse, by the late poet Ed Galing and illustrated with remarkable tenderness by Caldecott-winning artist Erin Stead. Tony is a large white workhorse with gentle eyes and a loving spirit. He faithfully fulfills his duties pulling the milk cart for Tom every morning before dawn. The narrator, a young boy, has found a companion in the horse and arises in the early hours to give him a pat or perhaps a treat. The kindness is well received by both Tony and Tom, and a ritual of sorts is established among the three friends. This beautiful picture book of kindness and friendship is simple in text and rich in content-a treasure. Telling a tale of times gone by, it is a peek into life in the early morning hours of American cities in the 1920s. Caldecott medalist Stead lovingly adapted a poem by Galing for a picture book audience. "The muted pencil drawings are gorgeous and soft, a comfort simply to view. The gray and aqua coloring puts readers in predawn's light, with the yellow highlights perfectly yielding a sense of warmth. The illustrations and text work together perfectly, conveying a story for readers of all ages.