Book Title: Children Who Dance in the Rain by Susan Justice
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Compassion Project Press
Release date: May 2023
Format available for review: print-hardback (USA), PDF
Tour dates: May 15 to Jun 2, 2023
Content Rating: G for all kids.
Sophie gets bored quickly and won’t even eat her food without looking at her tablet. She’s thrilled to hear of her family’s upcoming trip to a magical place called India, a land she’s only heard of in stories. Once there, she quickly realizes that the underprivileged children living in the mud colony possess a joy and contentment she can’t explain. Sophie sets out on a journey of discovery, but what she finds may change her world forever. This tale about the true meaning of happiness and the power of gratitude is based on true events.
Excerpt from Chapter One
It was long after noon
the next day before Naya was at last able to slip away. This time she was
better prepared. In a deerskin bag slung over one shoulder she carried flint
tools and kindling for making fire, a flint knife and enough food to last a
day, as well as a full water skin. Over the other shoulder was coiled a long
length of braided rawhide, strong enough, she hoped, to restrain the filly…
She found the little band at dusk, when the
sun’s afterglow cast blackening shadows across the landscape. She had just
gained the top of a small rise and could see for some distance, despite the
gathering darkness. There they were – blurred shapes silhouetted against the
next range of hills. Succeeding ridges gained in height, verdant meadows giving
way to forested slopes, behind which the sun had disappeared. The horses had
led her to the edge of the grasslands…
Naya shivered in the rapidly cooling
air. The horses appeared to have stopped for the
evening. The mares’ heads hung low, muzzles almost touching the ground in deep
relaxation and she could make out several darker shapes that must be the foals,
lying in the grass at their feet. Only the stallion stood alert, scenting the
air for danger before dropping his head to grab a few mouthfuls of grass. Moments
later, his head lifted again, keen eyes scanning the landscape.
Naya settled herself in
the deep grass and rested her folded arms atop her knees. From her vantage on
the rise downwind from the small band, she could sit and keep watch without
arousing suspicion… Eventually, cheek resting on her forearms, she closed her
eyes, and slept…
At some
point later in the night, she thought she awoke. Lifting her head from her
folded arms, she checked the herd. They were as they’d been before, dozing in
the lee of the hillside across from the rise where she sat. Even the stallion had
relaxed his vigilance and stood with his head lowered. The full moon now rode
high in the sky, bright enough to cast faint shadows. As Naya’s eyes adjusted
to the night, the moon’s light illuminated a faint track leading down the rise
at an angle from where the horses rested. She hadn’t noticed it before.
Rising, Naya moved as
silently as she could, following the path in the moonlight. Soon, she found
herself ascending another small rise, then descending, then rising again, until
at last she stood at the edge of a ravine. Below, she could see a stream,
shining in the moonlight, gurgling quietly as it flowed over its stony bed… Slipping
and sliding, Naya made her way down the steep slope, scratching her skin
against sharp rocks and thorny underbrush. At last she reached the bottom and
looked around her. Along the ravine’s floor, smooth white stones marked the
water course… Drawn onward, Naya followed the path upstream into a grove of
trees.
There, a
wondrous sight met her eyes. Oaks and birches encircled a small pool of water,
fed by an underground spring. Reflected in the pool’s clear, still surface was
the round orb of the moon, casting its light from high above the rocky cliffs
which formed the pool’s backdrop. Beside the pool stood the red filly,
burnished coat softly aglow. Naya froze, rooted as if she were one of the
trees, and stared. The filly, startled by the girl’s approach, stared back. Neither
moved. Eventually, Naya remembered to breathe. In the next moment, she realized
that she had left her rope, along with everything else she’d brought with her,
back on the rise. Still, she and the filly stood motionless, looking at one
another.
In that moment, Naya’s
senses underwent an almost imperceptible shift; the moonlight became just a
little brighter, the stream’s murmur became just a little louder, the slight
breeze rustling the leaves in the trees became just a little fresher against
her skin. In the next moment, she seemed to feel the filly’s thoughts.
I will
grant your heart’s desire, but only if you are able to grant mine. The musical voice resonated within the core of Naya’s
being, even though no sound other than the splash of flowing water and whisper
of the wind in the trees disturbed the silence of the grove. What is your
heart’s desire?
Awestruck, Naya
could only gaze back at the young horse, who now regarded her with luminous
dark eyes in which fear had given way to curiosity. Finally, she found her own voice. “I wish to be with you,”
she said simply. “I wish to touch your coat.” Then, from deep inside, another
longing welled up, a yearning so audacious she almost couldn’t bring herself to
speak. Hesitatingly, she uttered the words. “I wish,” she said, “to ride upon
your back.”
Ah, the red filly seemed to reply, if this is indeed your
deepest desire, then you must see with the eyes of your heart and create ties
without the use of a rope. And when you have succeeded in granting my heart’s
desire, then shall yours be granted also.
Before Naya
could begin to ponder the meaning of the words, the filly brushed past her in a
chestnut blur and was gone, disappearing through the trees toward the mouth of
the ravine. Gazing after her, Naya shook her head, as if to clear her senses. Water
still flowed in the creek and a breeze still rustled among the leaves. The moon
still cast its dim glow – but the moment of utter clarity had vanished, just as
suddenly as the young horse. Shaking herself again, as if awakening from a
dream, Naya retraced her steps to the mouth of the ravine. There was no sign of
the red filly…
MY REVIEW
First, I have to comment on the author of this beautiful book. The storyline is pointing out the differences in culture. While Sophie lived in a world of privilege she soon found out that other places are quite different. The story teaches that not having much, doesn't mean their heart is empty and miserable. It teaches the value of giving and gratitude.
The washable hardcover is eye-catching in its many vibrant colors. The illustrator did a fantastic job of creating the characters in the story through drawing and colorization. All are well drawn and the expressions on the children's faces depict their feelings well. Each illustration is a joy to view and will keep any child engaged in the story. This book would make a beautiful addition to your child's library. Highly recommended.
I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Susan, a legal advocate for children’s rights, has long harbored a dream of crafting a tale that would empower young readers to understand and champion the rights of their peers. Drawing upon her own experiences as a young person comprehending privilege, she was inspired to write a book that would not only entertain but also inspire her readers to consider pressing social issues and to actively strive to make the world a better place for all children.
connect with the author: website ~ instagram
AUTHOR
INTERVIEW w Sarah V. Barnes, author of SHE WHO RIDES HORSES
Q: What’s
your favorite inspirational quote?
A: David
Whyte has a line in his poem What to Remember When Waking:
“To become
human is to become visible while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.”
For me,
this speaks to the essence of what we do as writers. Becoming visible means
putting yourself and your words out there, for others to read. Writing is an
inherently vulnerable act. Even if no one reads what you write other than yourself,
you are still making yourself visible, if only to yourself. You are revealing
what is hidden – the gift of your true self – the gift each of us alone can
offer to the world. The whole poem is a powerful reminder of why we are here –
and that line in particular really inspires me, especially as a writer.
Q: Is your
book mainly for horse lovers?
A: No –
it’s meant to appeal to a wider audience. I describe the story as ‘Clan of the
Cave Bear’ meets ‘My Friend Flicka.’ Certainly the horses, and Naya’s relationship
with the red filly in particular, represent an important aspect of the story
line, but readers don’t have to be horse people to connect with the characters.
The challenges they face are universal.
Q: What is
the most courageous thing that you’ve done?
A: There’s
more than one type of courage, of course. In terms of physical courage,
competing in the cross-country phase of eventing probably took the most
courage. Eventing is the triathlon of horse sports and cross-country involves
galloping around a course while jumping over stone walls, leaping off banks,
crossing ditches and traversing water obstacles. Like most things that require
courage, however, proper preparation takes some of the edge off. If you and
your horse have practiced navigating the various types of obstacles, and you’ve
walked the course and know what to expect, a good outcome is more likely. As
far as the kind of courage that involves emotional vulnerability as opposed to
physical risk, the hardest thing that I’ve had to do is allow my children to go
out into the world, make their own choices (and mistakes) and forge their own
paths. You want the best for them, and that starts with setting them free. Not
surprisingly, elements from both these personal experiences of courage show up
in my books.
Q: What
are your hobbies?
A: When
I’m not writing, I’m often at the barn with my horse. Horses are creatures of
the present moment. They can also potentially be quite dangerous if you don’t
understand them. Spending time around horses necessitates being mindful, being
grounded, paying attention. My horse and I have a relationship which requires
that I show up as my best self. Hobby is perhaps not the right word for the
time and effort that I devote to her, and the lessons she teaches me. Spiritual
practice comes to mind.
Q: What is
your writing schedule?
A: Many
writers apparently do their best work early in the morning. For me, that’s not
the case. While I like to get up with the sun, I spend that first quiet hour
journaling and reading, with a cup of chai at my elbow, followed by meditation
and movement practice. Once the day is underway, my first commitment is usually
going to the barn. Only after I’ve spent time with my horse, do I sit down to
write. Once I’m at my desk, other than letting the dogs out and going upstairs
for tea, I’m pretty much working away until dinner. I write very slowly – going
back to reread and rework passages – so I need big chunks of uninterrupted
time. Luckily I’m at a stage of life where I can enjoy that luxury.
Q: What is
your next project?
A: I’m
nearing the end of the writing/editing process for the second book in the She
Who Rides Horses series. There will be a third book, for sure, and possibly
more, depending on how the story unfolds. At some point the novels will be
released as an audiobook and ultimately, I’d love to see the story made into a
film or limited series.
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