Book Review of Horse Tales of the Revolution: The Untold Story of the American Revolution From the Animals’ Perspective
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The Children’s Book Review
Horse Tales of the Revolution: The Untold Story of the American Revolution From the Animals’ Perspective
Written and illustrated by Peg Casey
Ages: 8+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Veiled Goddess, Inc. (2026) | ISBN: 9781733361224 (hardcover), 9781733361217 (paperback)
What to Expect: Freedom, American History, War of Independence, Animals.
In this unique and unusual retelling of the story of the United States’ struggle for independence from the British, readers are invited to consider freedom, sacrifice, and duty through an unexpected source of oral history.
You may think you know the story of the War of Independence, but here’s a perspective on the story you’ll have never heard before—that of the animals who witnessed this momentous event in history. As they gather together in the barn of a farm north of Boston, animals including Paul Revere’s horse, the Coyote who witnessed the confiscation of gunpowder from Charlestown and Boston, a goat who watched a blacksmith craft the magic horseshoes for the Midnight Ride, and many others recount the tiny, forgotten details of the moments that crafted the United States as a Nation, from the Pilgrims’ arrival through the Declaration of Independence.
The animal characters who narrate the story offer a range of perspectives that bring fresh life to this well-known historical moment. From Brown Beauty’s independence and cunning to the far-sighted wisdom of Harmony Hawk, Flora Falcon, Constance the Crow, Elegant Eagle, and Sally Seagull, the animal characters have distinct personalities that invite readers to see the human conflict through different eyes.
The key theme of the story is freedom, and the narration by the animals, who are themselves unrestrainedly free at heart, underscores freedom as a natural right, limited only by human depredations. The digital illustrations capture a distinct and expressive handmade folk-art style well suited to both the animal protagonists and child readers, suggesting authenticity over polish. Some parents and educators may want to be aware that the story presents the colonial perspective as unambiguously correct, offering opportunities for discussion about the complexity of history and perspective.
Dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the United States, Horse Tales of the Revolution offers a timely and unique perspective on one of the country’s defining moments.
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About the Author
Peg Casey is a mother, grandmother, and author who loves sharing her stories that inspire children to use their imagination. She also illustrates her stories and is a multi-media artist who exhibits her work in the Greater Boston region. Peg’s debut children’s book, Mystic River Mermaid, was a Finalist for the Independent Publishers of New England Book Awards for Children’s Fiction 2020.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Horse Tales of the Revolution: The Untold Story of the American Revolution From the Animals’ Perspective. Learn more about getting a book review …
