Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse by Williams, Ursula Moray (2011) Paperback – January 1, 1994

Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse is from an older, more innocent time (1938). The hero is a little wooden horse who only wants to be useful to his kindly old master, an elderly carpenter who crafts and peddles wooden toys. When the people stop buying wooden toys in favor of the new tin toys coming out in stores, the old peddler finds himself without a way to earn a living and buy food, and then he becomes very sick. The little wooden horse sets out into the world to make his fortune so that he can return and care for his master. He tries farming, mining, goes to sea, etc. he shows courage, humility, industriousness, and other great character traits. He's like the complete opposite of poor old Pinocchio!My 6 year old son loves reading this book to himself, but it would also make a great read aloud for a parent to read to their 4-9 year old child. Excerpt:"Your master would not know you now!" the ponies teased him. "Red saddle, blue stripes - all gone - all black as coal!"The little wooden horse knew very well that his beauties were faded, and lately he had lost a wheel, so that he pulled the trucks along cloppetty-clack! cloppetty-clack! and even the kind-hearted miners smiled when they heard him coming."But when I have made my fortune," said the little wooden horse, "I shall have a new coat of paint, new wheels, a new red saddle, and three new blue stripes. One can't have everything at once."The day's work was nearly over when there was a rumble in the mine, and all the miners stopped working to listen. The three ponies pricked up their ears.....

so happy to have found this story in the English version as it was one of the books that was read to us in my 4th grade class in Switzerland so many years ago and its memories have never left my mind. My life now is in English speaking countries and now I can still share these stories with next generations :)!

although it took a bit to ship from London it is a great book! One of those that my daughter will add to her library even as an adult.

An old but utterly charming story of toy horse trying to get home.

Love this book since childhood. Thanks!

good story for kids

I read this over and over when I was small. I had no idea it was a translation.

Old children’s stories tend to veer toward the sappy so I was very worried about reading this one. No worries. Williams never even ventured into that territory; instead, she created the character of the little wooden horse so real yet so gently brave and daringly courageous that I would put him up on my list of Favorite Book Characters. I must obtain a copy of this book for my library. A 1001 CBYMRBYGU.

I enjoyed this being read to me as a child, so happily got it for our Little Woman. Some of the syntax is a little old, but it's otherwise lovely. The vocabulary is broader than the more modern books too, which I appreciate as she is taking in everything offered right now. The story itself seems far-fetched to an adult, but the ideas are simple and easy to understand for children. She loved it. Recommended.

I love this trilogy and we got them all. The hard back versions feel nice to hold and they will last. I read them aloud to my daughter and I loved the stories too.

I bought this book as I remember it when I was a young childMy teacher read my class this book one chapter each day just beforeHome time.I was only 8 or 9 at the time & all the kids loved this bookThe story was so good it stayed with me all this time.I bought my own copy years later but lost it.My copy was in paperback format but this latest copy is a hardbackEdition.It's well worth the money & all kids from 5 to older teenagersWould love this book.I would highly recommend this book to anyoneIt's also an ideal birthday or Christmas gift.

I remember reading this when I was little and loving the story, so I bought it for my granddaughter who is 5. She had it has a bedtime story and loved it just as much as me. She even insisted on taking it to school so her teacher could read it to the class. Lovely heartwarming story of Uncle Peder who makes his little wooden horse who overcomes all kinds of adversity to eventually go back to Uncle Peder with a body full of coins to help him in his old age and his wedding. Brings a tear to my eye!!

I live in Australia and borrowed this book many times from the local library as a child, but couldnt get a copy for myself. I loved the story then, and I love it now, some 50 years later. It is a wonderful story, beautifully written and has stood the test of time. Its full of fun and adventure, and the little horse is so endearing you cant help but fall in love with him. If there were more people like him the world would be a better place. I cant think of a better story for parents to read to their children.