Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett (1981) is a familiar tale, this time told at an unspecified time in an unspecified place. "Once there was a walled city known for its beautiful horses." Of course, this means an equine not so lovely is rejected. Indeed, "Fritz was not so beautiful...But Fritz was very gentle and kind." The story practically writes itself. Yet, Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations save this trope. Her horses are carefully crafted as are the adults and children who ride them. Fritz's despair is undeniable when he is teased. Fritz glows with pride, sweetness, and delight when he is praised. I linger over Jan Brett's art, an essential feature of a picture book.
ESL Education Store has Fritz and the Beautiful Horses Vocabulary Cards. Catcarolines has Animal Alphabet Coloring Pages: H is for Horse. I Heart Curriculum has Horse Freebie.
