The empowering story of a little girl overcoming a big fear with the help of her family and a horse named Magic
Dom wishes she were brave enough to ride a horse—if only horses weren’t so huge and intimidating! Momma says it’s normal to have the jitters at first, but Dom isn’t sure she’ll ever feel ready. She spends time with Magic, her favorite horse, and he seems to understand her worries, and even lets her brush him. This gives Dom the boost she needs, and sure enough, when she finally does get in the saddle, she’s thrilled to discover the frightened ba-bum, ba-bum of her heart transforming into a happy beat in rhythm with Magic’s steady clip-clop, clip-clop.
Lyrical text and stunning light-filled paintings beautifully capture the touching bond between Dom and Magic as Dom gains the confidence to ride, reassuring readers that everyone tries new things at their own pace.
“Foregrounding a Black child who navigates fear and longing around riding a horse, Starling Lyons and Lewis spin an affirming story about self-paced courage that grows through determination, gentleness, and support. Young Dom is intimated by horses’ ‘big bodies, big legs, and big teeth.’ . . . Dom quietly admits wanting to ride but feeling scared. Time spent listening to relatives’ steady reassurance and brushing Magic’s ‘stardust coat’ help Dom gather confidence. . . . When Dom finally mounts, the child’s ‘Ba-bum’ pulse matches the horse’s rhythmic ‘Clip-clop,’ signaling a triumph rooted in connection rather than bravado or pressure. Luminous watercolor illustrations with prominent brushwork emphasize scale, light, and expression, capturing the protagonist’s vulnerability and growing resolve. It’s a patient portrait of bravery found through self-attunement.” —Publishers Weekly
“Dom longs to ride like confident big sister Leah and Uncle Blue. But the horses seem so large, so intimidating—their ‘big bodies, big legs, and big teeth’ are unsettling. . . . When Dom confides in Magic, the ebony horse with a coat that ‘shines like it’s covered with stars,’ he seems to understand. . . . With encouragement from the rest of the family and time spent brushing Magic’s ‘stardust’ coat, Dom builds the courage to mount. . . . Celebrated artist Lewis renders this tender journey in watercolors that realistically capture the peaceful rural setting and the majestic horses, as well as Dom’s trepidation and growing confidence. The illustrator’s compositions include shadowy, dream-rendered spaces and sun-drenched fields. The paintings’ soft washes and glowing light create an atmosphere of warmth and safety, while Lewis’ skillful handling of Dom’s perspective—showing Dom on the ground against the landscape, then triumphant atop Magic—visually reinforces the youngster’s achievement. Lyons’ interplay of Dom’s heartbeat (‘ba-bum’) with the horse’s hoofbeats (‘clip-clop’) provides a satisfying rhythmic thread. A heartening, beautifully illustrated testament to patience, trust, and burgeoning courage.” —Kirkus Reviews
Kelly Starling Lyons (kellystarlinglyons.com) is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for young readers including Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations, Ellen's Broom, Hope’s Gift, and Tea Cakes for Tosh. Her chapter books include the popular Jada Jones and Miles Lewis series and She Persisted: Dorothy Height and She Persisted: Coretta Scott King. Kelly is a teaching artist and founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. She lives in North Carolina.
View titles by Kelly Starling Lyons
The empowering story of a little girl overcoming a big fear with the help of her family and a horse named Magic
Dom wishes she were brave enough to ride a horse—if only horses weren’t so huge and intimidating! Momma says it’s normal to have the jitters at first, but Dom isn’t sure she’ll ever feel ready. She spends time with Magic, her favorite horse, and he seems to understand her worries, and even lets her brush him. This gives Dom the boost she needs, and sure enough, when she finally does get in the saddle, she’s thrilled to discover the frightened ba-bum, ba-bum of her heart transforming into a happy beat in rhythm with Magic’s steady clip-clop, clip-clop.
Lyrical text and stunning light-filled paintings beautifully capture the touching bond between Dom and Magic as Dom gains the confidence to ride, reassuring readers that everyone tries new things at their own pace.
Reviews
“Foregrounding a Black child who navigates fear and longing around riding a horse, Starling Lyons and Lewis spin an affirming story about self-paced courage that grows through determination, gentleness, and support. Young Dom is intimated by horses’ ‘big bodies, big legs, and big teeth.’ . . . Dom quietly admits wanting to ride but feeling scared. Time spent listening to relatives’ steady reassurance and brushing Magic’s ‘stardust coat’ help Dom gather confidence. . . . When Dom finally mounts, the child’s ‘Ba-bum’ pulse matches the horse’s rhythmic ‘Clip-clop,’ signaling a triumph rooted in connection rather than bravado or pressure. Luminous watercolor illustrations with prominent brushwork emphasize scale, light, and expression, capturing the protagonist’s vulnerability and growing resolve. It’s a patient portrait of bravery found through self-attunement.” —Publishers Weekly
“Dom longs to ride like confident big sister Leah and Uncle Blue. But the horses seem so large, so intimidating—their ‘big bodies, big legs, and big teeth’ are unsettling. . . . When Dom confides in Magic, the ebony horse with a coat that ‘shines like it’s covered with stars,’ he seems to understand. . . . With encouragement from the rest of the family and time spent brushing Magic’s ‘stardust’ coat, Dom builds the courage to mount. . . . Celebrated artist Lewis renders this tender journey in watercolors that realistically capture the peaceful rural setting and the majestic horses, as well as Dom’s trepidation and growing confidence. The illustrator’s compositions include shadowy, dream-rendered spaces and sun-drenched fields. The paintings’ soft washes and glowing light create an atmosphere of warmth and safety, while Lewis’ skillful handling of Dom’s perspective—showing Dom on the ground against the landscape, then triumphant atop Magic—visually reinforces the youngster’s achievement. Lyons’ interplay of Dom’s heartbeat (‘ba-bum’) with the horse’s hoofbeats (‘clip-clop’) provides a satisfying rhythmic thread. A heartening, beautifully illustrated testament to patience, trust, and burgeoning courage.” —Kirkus Reviews
Author
Kelly Starling Lyons (kellystarlinglyons.com) is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for young readers including Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations, Ellen's Broom, Hope’s Gift, and Tea Cakes for Tosh. Her chapter books include the popular Jada Jones and Miles Lewis series and She Persisted: Dorothy Height and She Persisted: Coretta Scott King. Kelly is a teaching artist and founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. She lives in North Carolina.
View titles by Kelly Starling Lyons
