Horse Song

The Naadam of Mongolia
By Ted Lewin, Betsy Lewin
Paperback: $12.95

Ted and Betsy Lewin’s illustrated travelogue story of their trip to Mongolia to watch young boy and girl jockeys race horses in the traditional Naadam summer festival.

Description

“Giingooo! Giiiingoooooo!” Tamir and the other young jockeys sing to their horses in wailing, high-pitched voices. They are getting ready to ride in the Naadam, the Mongolian summer festival. Tamir is one of many boys and girls who will race half-wild horses across the open desert for honor and glory.

It is these legendary child jockeys that Ted and Betsy Lewin have traveled to Mongolia to see. In the camp of the horse trainers, the Lewins marvel at the skill of the riders as they “sweat up” their horses, galloping by in swirls of dust and thundering hooves. On the day of the big race, everyone is up before sunrise, watching the riders begin their long trek to the starting line. Will Tamir be able to keep control of his horse during the fourteen-mile race? Who will emerge as the winner as the shimmering dust cloud of riders approaches the finish line?

With a contagious love of travel and adventure, and vivid, action-packed paintings, Ted and Betsy Lewin invite readers to experience the unique thrill of a Naadam horse race. “Giiiingoooooo!”

About the Creators

Ted Lewin

Ted Lewin and his wife, Betsy, have been traveling the world together for decades and have chronicled many of their wide-ranging adventures in books for young readers. In addition to Puffling Patrol, their most recent collaborations were Balarama: A Royal Elephant and Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia, both published by Lee & Low Books.Ted and Betsy have both won countless awards and honors for their books. Ted was awarded a Caldecott Medal Honor in 1994 for Peppe the Lamplighter. When not teaching, visiting with young fans, or traveling, the Lewins are usually drawing and painting in their Brooklyn, New York, home studios. You can visit Ted Lewin online at tedlewin.com

Betsy Lewin

Betsy Lewin and her husband, Ted, have been traveling the world together for decades and have chronicled many of their wide-ranging adventures in books for young readers. In addition to Puffling Patrol, their most recent collaborations were Balarama: A Royal Elephant and Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia, both published by Lee & Low Books.Ted and Betsy have both won countless awards and honors for their books. Betsy was the recipient of a Caldecott Medal Honor in 2001 for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. When not teaching, visiting with young fans, or traveling, the Lewins are usually drawing and painting in their Brooklyn, New York, home studios. You can visit Betsy Lewin online at betsylewin.com

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books

    American Library Association (ALA)

Reviews

  • * "[T]he color-washed sketches and beautiful full-page spreads of the thundering horses and jubilant festival goers that will truly capture readers' attention and draw them into this handsome, heartfelt glimpse of a rarely explored culture."

    - Booklist
  • "[Horse Song] provides a dynamic view of a culture rarely portrayed in children's books and an event that is sure to interest many young readers."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Bright, realistic illustrations . . . this sojourn will not only take armchair travelers to the other side of the planet, it'll make them feel comfortable and welcome when they arrive."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Youth who love horses and have an interest in learning about how people in other countries live and celebrate will enjoy this book."

    - Foreword Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620141854
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2008
  • Trim Size 10 × 8.5 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.5 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Word Count 2737
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584302773
  • Price $19.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2008
  • Trim Size 11 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 56
  • Word Count 2737
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Equestrian
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / People & Places / Asia
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Social Topics / New Experience
  • Themes Animals, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Cultural Diversity, Families, Holidays / Traditions, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Persistence / Grit, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 6
  • Guided Reading T
  • ATOS Book Level 5
  • DRA 44
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 6
  • Lexile Level 870
  • Reading Level Grades 4 - 5
  • SRC 5.6
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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