Review by Booklist Review
Grazing in a meadow, a horse named Now has several visitors. Rabbit and her babies arrive, frightened by a red flash that might have been Fox. After asking a few questions, Now reassures them, saying, "At this moment, all is well," and inviting them to eat some dandelions. Next, Hen and her chicks squawk for help, terrified that Magpie might snatch them. Now listens to them, calms them, and suggests they hunt for worms. When Sheep and her lambs arrive, terrified by rumors of Farmer's new dog, Now comforts them too. A thunderstorm drives them all into the barn, where they meet Fox, Magpie, and New Dog, who are not scary after all. By questioning Now, the animals learn how she deals with fear. As the storm rumbles away, she reassures them, "All is well." The narrative is beautifully written, well attuned to the natural world, and sensitive to the emotions that the animals are experiencing. The illustrations show the rising winds and driving rain as well as the calm scenes within the dimly lit barn, depicting the characters and their emotions in shades of black, white, and blue/gray. An expressive picture book that suggests practical ways of managing fears while telling a story worth reading and rereading.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Now" is the name Doyle (You Are Part of the Wonder) gives to a great white horse who stands in a daisy-studded field at the start of this picture book--a horse whose gift is being able to stay in the moment. Now notices "buds opening, dragonflies dancing" when Rabbit and her babies arrive, hearts racing, crying, "Fox is chasing us!" "Can you see him now?" the horse asks, before responding to further concerns ("No... but he might sneak up...") with "Or he might not.... At this moment, all is well." Hen and her chicks fear Magpie; Sheep and her lambs, the farmer's new dog. When thunder booms and the frightened animals flee to the barn, they find unexpected visitors, and Now's patient words help the animals wait in peace. Finkeldey (When the Storks Came Home) uses soft, pastoral shades and textures to capture the horse's shaggy mane, and the fur and feathers of the smaller creatures, whose faces express believable emotion. Barnyard detail and background scenery ground the abstract nature of Now's calming techniques ("I breathe in... and out...") and mindfulness teachings ("even the wildest storms will always end") in this evocative pairing of barnyard life and inward reflection. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4--In this gently reassuring fablelike story, a wise horse guides other farm animals through the process of reducing anxiety and being present in the moment. Rabbits fear the threat of a fox, a hen worries about a magpie swooping in, and sheep fret that the farmer's new dog may mistreat them--but none of those concerns come to fruition. In fact, readers are reminded to look beyond assumptions when a thunderstorm breaks and the "scary" animals end up being just as sympathetic and vulnerable as the initial cast of endearing creatures. Doyle's prose is beautiful and descriptive, introducing young readers to a lovely and sophisticated use of language through onomatopoeia, similes, and a rich vocabulary. Finkeldey's expansive illustrations lend a vintage charm reminiscent of Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire's work. Rendered with textured brushstrokes, animal faces are expressive, and an effective use of color highlights the positive and negative emotions that play out in the narrative. Although anxiety may be difficult to overcome, the horse's lessons, particularly the mantra "At this moment, all is well," provide useful tools for readers of all ages to mitigate tense moments and cope with fears. VERDICT This gentle animal story equips readers with strategies to combat anxiety. An excellent choice for story times about feelings or a comforting bedtime story.--Allison Tran
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A gentle horse models mindfulness. Aptly named Now, the shaggy white mare remains unflappable even as a bevy of panicked animals come rushing up to her. A family of rabbits is the first to dash into the meadow. "Fox is chasing us!" they cry. When Now presses them for details, they admit that they didn't actually see Fox, just a flash of red. But it might be him. "Can you see him now?" the horse inquires. "At this moment, all is well," she tells them. Then Hen and her chicks run over. "Help! There's a swooping bird trying to catch my chicks! It might be Magpie!" "Look up," responds Now. "Can you see a swooping bird?" When Hen responds no, Now repeats, "At this moment, all is well." Though these animals have caught only a glimpse or a shadow, their minds spin wildly to fill in the rest. Now calmly brings them back to her namesake, the present moment. Most mindfulness primers are a list of directives; this tale has the slow-moving grace of a fable. Softly stroked greens, blues, and yellows show the serene side of nature. Besides being a centering presence, Now also imparts wisdom on the habit of jumping to conclusions and misjudging others. A refreshingly inspired lesson on the importance of living in the moment. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
