Some authors are brand names. Kate Dicamillo is one of them. Borrowed this book based on the strength of her brand while my son was browsing among the shelves at our school library.

Kate Dicamillo writes beautifully from the heart, so it is a rare treat that I can read something easy from her on my snatched-to-snitch-together moments. However, the sentiments behind her story are anything but simple. Leroy Ninker was a reformed thief who longed for a horse. When this cowboy took possession of Maybelline, he discovered several innate things in his nature that had been lying dormant, particularly the ability to compliment others beautiful things. (which is incidentally how I learnt the word ‘cogitate’.) He also put his wits together to locate Maybelline when they got separated from each other during a thunderstorm. His willingness to cater to Maybelline’s communication style and ingenuity in locating her exemplified the theme of the book — “take fate in your hands and wrestle it to the ground”. He demonstrated main character energy by going all out to love Maybelline and having his life enhanced and sweetened in the process. The part about him being a thief was actually just a one-liner in the book, but it hit me deeply. Don’t we all want to be loved unconditionally by someone else in spite of our flawed nature, do we?

Given that I have accompanied students several times on their experiential equestrian programme with Equal, I am once again reminded and heartened of the healing power of horses.

Recommended for those who want to be cowboys and take the lead in charting their lives.