Attention, all horse lovers! Here’s a gentle, gorgeously illustrated meditation on the healing power of our relationship with animals and overcoming our fears, for readers of I Talk Like a River and Rescue & Jessica.
When a shy young girl attends a school program to read to a horse called Snow, she doesn’t know what to expect—other than to be nervous about reading aloud. Her words often get stuck, but Snow’s calm and reassuring company slowly builds her confidence. Rain and the Reading Horse is a beautiful celebration of a girl’s relationship with a horse and the slow but persistent ways we can confront our fears.
Kirkus: “Read this book to a horse, a dog, a cat, a sibling, anyone! An empathetic tale for anxious readers everywhere.”
Publisher’s Weekly, starred review: “Across a picture book narrative that ‘evoke[s] healing and growth,’ RAIN AND THE READING HORSE by Maria Gianferrari and illustrator Hannah Salyer presents ‘a hopeful story rooted in change slowly wrought.’”
About the author: As a shy, animal-loving kid, Maria Gianferrari wishes she could have read to a horse like Snow. As a shy, animal-loving adult, she now gets to write about all kinds of creatures and the bonds that they share with humans in books like Be a Tree!, You and the Bowerbird, and To Dogs, with Love. Maria lives in Massachusetts with her family and dreams of reading Rain and the Reading Horse to a horse! You can learn more at her website: mariagianferrari.com.
About the illustrator: Hannah Salyer’s work, including Packs: Strength in Numbers and Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art, has been recognized by American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators and featured in various exhibitions in New York City. Her books have been deemed Gold Standard Selections by the Junior Library Guild. She teaches art to students of all ages, including those at Parsons School of Design, has a ceramics practice, and is co-founder and co-director of Underland Gallery.
Leave a blog comment for a chance to win a copy of Rain and the Reading Horse by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Hannah Salyer. (U.S Residents only, please.) A random winner will be selected by 9pm on October 24, 2025. Check back for the winner announcement in the comments (and via email if provided). Prize must be claimed by October 31, 2025 or another winner will be selected. Good luck!
Jennifer Mary G 
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
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This looks incredible! Can’t wait to read it!!
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Reading to a pet is so much fun I can only imagine how fun it would be to read to a horse. Congratulations to Maria and Hannah
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Looking forward to reading your new book. Congratulations Maria and Hanna! I love your choice of a horse as a reading partner – they’re truly amazing. Best of success to you both.
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Congrats, Barbara! You were randomly selected as the winner! I’ll reach out by email for details. 🙂
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This is amazing!!! Thank you so much Jennifer. The book looks great. Looking forward to reading it! Barbara
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I am a big fan of Maria’s books and can’t wait to read this book too, especially since I have always loved horses and reading. The illustrations are gorgeous! Congratulations on such a beautiful book.
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