Riding Magic

Foregrounding a Black child who navigates fear and longing around riding a horse, Starling Lyons (Dream Builder) and Lewis (To Walk the Sky) 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,” and the sound of the animals’ hooves echoes in the child’s “Ba-bum. Ba-bum” heartbeat while a sister and uncle ride off on trails rich with family history. Drawn to Magic, an ebony horse whose coat shines “like it’s covered with stars,” 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, and a dream about “people who look like me riding... long ago” results in a feeling of readiness. 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. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary. (June)