Review by Booklist Review
Doris is happy. She is a show pony, dancing with the other horses every night in a tent under a spotlight. She loves the music, the movement, and the cheers from the crowd. As time goes on, however, she begins to notice something outside the tent. A faraway twinkling draws her curiosity, until one night she ventures out. Dimmed shades of swirling color capture the magical quality of the night as Doris travels into the unknown. On an icy pond, she dances in a new way, listening to herself instead of the people at a show. As Doris revels in this experience, she is surprised to be joined by a small, brown pony. While not nearly as elegant as Doris, this pony dances with a freedom Doris instantly appreciates. The blues of the night begin to give way to sunny yellows, and Doris and her new friend are ready to see what else awaits them on this new day. Softly understated, the message about being open to possibilities is conveyed in a magical, moving manner.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This limpid story of self-discovery begins in a circus tent, where a dappled gray horse named Doris performs without a mistake ("Clip-clop, clip-clop") and finds only contentment: "It felt perfect." Inside the tent, it's golden and warm; outside, the light is icy blue. Upon noticing "a twinkling... out there," Doris ventures out into the moonlit landscape, moving her body in new ways. After a minute of hesitation ("She heard home echo in the distance"), she begins to dance in earnest ("clippity-skip-clop-trot"), until she's "dizzy with moonness. Whoa." Working digitally and in watercolor and pastels, Jacoby (So Much Snow) shows Doris's black mane flowing and swaying against fields of wintry blue as she finds a whole new, dancing self. But she's alone: "Did I wander too far? Am I the only one out here?" Readers see the brown pony before Doris does, a small figure dancing every bit as exuberantly as Doris. They both twirl and stretch as they discover each other as partners ("Whoa," both of them think) in this story about taking risks to enter a new world with curiosity and joy. Ages 3--6. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Doris begins as a cipher, jumping into a story with no real introduction. Readers don't know where Doris the horse is--though it may be the center ring of a circus--what she performs, what emotional stakes she actually faces. She quits that place for wilder, unbordered spaces, leaving the story open for exploration around general themes, such as bravery in the face of the unknown, being comfortable with oneself, opening up to new ways of life, and relying on one's inner resources instead of adulation from others. This vague uncertainty carries through somewhat impressionistic illustrations. They add to the freedom and interpretative nature of the text but will leave some readers feeling untethered. The shifting spots on Doris's skin and the hint of un-horselike smiles (a pony joins Doris) could be either distracting or beatific. But for readers who sink into the colorscape and go with the rhythm of the pictures, the joyous bursts of language and brush strokes give vibrant movement to the non-story. Sound words--twinkling, springing, wondering--lend an air of magic to the adventure. VERDICT Interesting art and a slightly elusive story will reward those who work for a foothold. The sparse and sparkly language will be compelling to older preschoolers, while there are enough discussion topics for elementary-aged children.--Cat McCarrey
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Doris, a dappled gray circus horse, has always loved performing in the ring, but she's curious about life outside the big top. The dancing horse goes out to discover new places and moves lithely through the night. "She couldn't help wondering…wandering, springing, spinning out of step." Is she happy in her new environment or scared or "dizzy with moonness"? As she continues her dance and doesn't hear the usual applause at the end, she questions her situation. "Did I wander too far? Am I the only one out here?"And then, all of a sudden, there is a new friend in the moonlight, a small brown pony who loves Doris' dancing and also enjoys prancing. Doris is no longer frightened and has a partner in exploration. As the sun comes up, Doris asks her new friend, "What else do you think is out there?" With its graceful multimedia illustrations, swirling images created with watercolors, pastels, and Photoshop, and short, lyrical text that sometimes dances on the page in agile arcs, this delightful book can be used as a read-aloud in schools or libraries or in more intimate family settings. Children will quickly recognize Doris' ambivalent feelings as she escapes her comfortable circus life for new encounters in the woods, similar to their own growing-up experiences as they move outside into the larger world. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Inspiration to step--or dance--out of one's comfort zone. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
