Bramble and Maggie Books
Four books for beginning readers about a horse and her girl
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"...hits all the right notes." Kirkus
"The narrative voice in this early chapter book is superb—direct, succinct, and easy to read for younger horse lovers, but slyly slanted conceptually to encompass both horse and human perspectives." The Horn Book
"...will instantly find an audience." Library Media Connection
"...expressive, colorful gouache artwork on every page." SLJ
"An engaging horse story for young chapter-book readers and a good read-aloud choice as well." Booklist
A Bank Street Best Book 2013
Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons. When she goes on strike, Mrs. Blenkinsop decides she needs a person of her own. Good idea--but not just any person. Bramble knows she'll have to be picky.
When horse-crazy Maggie meets Bramble, she isn't picky at all. "Bramble is the horse for me," she says. But can Maggie live up to Bramble's high standards? Can Maggie reassure Bramble about the strange new creatures in a suburban back yard? An easy chapter book, with full-color illustrations by Alison Friend. (Candlewick, 2012, 52 pgs.)
Second grade reading level.
"...a perfect choice for kids ready to move beyond picture books...Bramble and Maggie are sure to become favorites for both storytime and reading alone." ABookAndAGarden.com, March 29, 2012
"An engaging horse story for young chapter-book readers and a good read-aloud choice as well." Booklist
"This finely crafted story about building trust and friendship is gently infused with information about equine care, and filled with expressive, colorful gouache artwork on every page." SLJ
"There are few horse stories written in early chapter book form and this will instantly find an audience." Library Media Connection.
"The narrative voice in this early chapter book is superb--direct, succinct, and easy to read for younger horse lovers, but slyly slanted conceptually to encompass both horse and human perspectives." Anita L. Burkam, The Horn Book
"Bramble knew about rides. The rider sat in the saddle. The horse did all the work."
Bramble and Maggie negotiate, and come to an arrangement that seems more fair. All that's required is a little give and take.
"...more intriguing insights into the horse's mind. Portraying human and animal characters empathetically, the narrative features moments of humor as well as insight...highly satisfying...Booklist
"Haas combines realistic horse adventures and grade school pony love like no one else. Bramble is sassy but never scary; Maggie persistent and cheerful, but not all-knowing." Kirkus
"Bramble...has strong opinions and dry wit: "Bramble knew about rides. The rider sat in the saddle. The horse did all the hard work." For new readers gaining confidence, the simple sentences are peppered with more challenging vocabulary, and they build in complexity over the course of the book." Julie Roach, The Horn Book.
In autumn the leaves scritch, acorns bomb the rooftops, and even smart horses like Bramble get a little spooky--which makes riders like Maggie a little tense. Did you ever wonder why they call it "Fall?" And then comes Halloween, with even more fears, real and pretend.
"This well-crafted horse story explores the theme of friendship and facing fears for those getting ready to move on from early readers." Kirkus
"As warm, affectionate and amusing as the story, Friend's gouache illustrations have a charm all their own." Booklist Online
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Maggie's family prepares for a big winter storm while her horse Bramble watches. That night, Bramble shoves her stall door open and trudges through the deep snow, relishing the exciting storm. She becomes a hero the next morning when she helps clear away the snowdrift that blocks her family's door. They all walk to nearby houses, enjoying the camaraderie of their neighbors, shoveling walkways and gathering together for an impromptu feast around a fire. The story unfolds in three chapters: before, during, and after the storm. Writing short, effective sentences, Haas does a particularly good job of expressing the horse's point of view as fully as Maggie's. The girl knows that Bramble's long hair will keep her warm all night, but Maggie never guesses how the snow feels to Bramble; first the cold tickle of falling flakes, then the warmth of the blanket of snow on her back, and finally the pleasure of feeling stronger than the storm: "It was just air and snowflakes. She was a horse." Lighting up every page, expressive gouache paintings feature rounded forms and rich colors that glow brilliantly against backdrops of white snow and blue/gray skies. From the Bramble and Maggie series, here's a beautifully crafted book for beginning readers." Carolyn Phelan, Booklist, Starred review