Rocking Horse Christmas is a 1997 children's fiction Christmas picture book by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Ned Bittinger. It was originally published in 1997, by Scholastic.[1]
 | |
| Author | Mary Pope Osborne |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Ned Bittinger |
| Published | 1997 |
| Publisher | Scholastic Incorporated |
Synopsis
editThe story is about a boy who finds a rocking horse under his Christmas tree. He names the rocking horse Shadow, and together they go through many imaginary adventures. The boy grows up and Shadow is left in the attic where he awaits the return of the boy. Years go by and the boy's son rediscovers Shadow and soon this new boy and Shadow have their own imaginary adventures.[2][3][4]
Reception
editBooklist described Osborne's text as a "heartfelt simplicity and a touch of melancholy" while also calling Bittinger's oil paintings "spectacular".[5] The School Library Journal called the story "rich in the spirit of Christmas" and called the illustrations "rich in palette and detail." The Horn Book Magazine also applauded Bittinger's oil illustrations saying that they "effectively portray both boys' imaginary travels."[2] Rocking Horse Christmas was chosen by The American Booksellers as their "Pick of the Lists."[6] An article in Albemarle Magazine stated that Bittinger spent six months working on preliminary drawings and the illustrations for the book.[7]
One of Bittinger's illustrations from the book was featured on the cover of the Lands' End kids' holiday catalog in 1997.[8]
References
edit- ^ "LC Catalog - Item Information (Full Record)". catalog.loc.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ a b Osborne, Mary Pope (1997). The Rocking Horse Christmas. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0-590-92955-4.
- ^ "Perfect Picture Book Friday – Rocking Horse Christmas". Susanna Leonard Hill. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ Osborne, Mary Pope (2002). Rocking Horse Christmas. Picture Hippo. ISBN 978-0-439-98275-7.
- ^ Rocking Horse Christmas, by Mary Pope Osborne | Booklist Online.
- ^ Shelton State Community College (1998-06-01). Shelton Chronicle 19980601.
- ^ ALBERMARLE (December 1997). ALBEMARLE Magazine, December 1997 - January 1998.
- ^ Lands' End (1997). Lands End Cover 1997 Holiday.