Harry and Horsie
PreSchool-K—Harry and his best friend, Horsie, are inseparable. One night, when he can't sleep, he climbs to the shelf that holds his new bubble-making machine. He creates bubbles that begin to surround objects in his room and float them out the window. That's not a problem until one of the diaphanous orbs picks up Horsie and silently drifts into outer space. Harry's adventure in rescuing his beloved stuffed animal is enhanced by retro-style, computer-generated illustrations in beige, blue, and black with touches of red and gold. Planets that hang from Harry's ceiling, a crescent moon shining into his room, and the racecar posters decorating his walls all foreshadow the boy's quest. The intriguing pictures vary from one or two per page to entire spreads, creating interest and flow. This simple story looks as though it could have been written and illustrated in the 1950s, but it will appeal to today's readers.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WIEND