The Book: Pie: An Old Brown Horse

The Author: Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo

The Story: This five star Readers’ Favorite review book is the story of a twenty five year old ranch horse that was injured and pretty much left to die. He was brought to a stable and sold, even though no one really expected him to survive.

He was reborn into a merchant of hope. His amazing spirit and calmness have helped many people over the next 13 years as he became the most amazing mentor and therapy horse. This is Pie’s story as he tells it about the most amazing second chance at life and his travels through it. You will meet his person, a shy young girl who he helps grow into adulthood. He will introduce you to the other horses and people that helped shape his journey. His influence has known no bounds throughout this last 13 years and he continues to shine his light even at the ripe old age of 38.

This is a feel good story about life, love, second chances and giving back.

About the Author: Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo is a seventh generation Texan who has her own brick at The Cowgirl Museum. She has taught in alternative education for over twenty years.

Ms. Scaramuzzo is a member of the 2012 Strathmore’s Who’s Who. She has a BA in Criminology and MAedCT. She works in horse, dog, cat and snake rescues. Ms. Scaramuzzo has been a tester observer for therapy dogs for nine years.

She ran a therapy horse riding program for autistic children for five years. She has been a recognized animal behaviorist for over 20 years. This is her first book about an exceptional horse. She feels it is important to give back to maintain the balance of a civilized society.

Review by Colleen Bratley: Writing a story in the first person is not uncommon, but when that first person is a horse, well, I really wasn’t expecting it to actually be entertaining to say the least. Thankfully since I have such a huge admiration and respect for horses, I decided to give it a read. What a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable story this is.

The title is a little misleading. Pie may be an old brown horse now, but he was nothing of the sort during the story. Kandy brought that personable horse to life like he was almost one of us. As we all know, animals have feelings, thoughts and ways to communicate just like we do. Even though some, and maybe a lot of people, don’t think about this in a very in depth way, Kandy proves that to be our oversight and sadly our loss. Because as you read the story, the thoughts, and emotions of how Kandy presented these majestic animals is nothing short of enthralling, entertaining, and enlightening.

Sometimes you just had to laugh out loud, as Pie literally thought like an animal would at our crazy antics, and his simplistic and natural understanding of how life just is. We make it complicated, and they bring it back to basics and fun.

Reading about Pie and his story made you really wish you could have gotten to know him, even enjoyed some of the same events with him. To have known and spent time with him would have been a cherished privilege. Knowing the owners of Pie could teach all of us the meaning of unconditional love.

As you learn from this book, taking care of a horse or more, is not for the faint of heart. It is work, money, time, and emotion, but the rewards are so much greater than what is given, that the comparison is actually impossible. For those who do it and have done it, like the owners of Pie, they wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Pie calls the owner, keeper. His love, thankfulness, appreciation and admiration of keeper is obvious, and just as obvious is, it’s well deserved. I am sure the keeper is the author, and I am sure you will see, as I did, that the spirit of the keeper is nothing short of incredible. It is apparent that unconditional love is as central to her core as the automatic beating of her heart. People like this should be respected and emulated. Pie knew this and showed her and his charge, little one just how much love he had to give back.

This story should be read by everyone, and really should be a required reading in schools everywhere.

The Book: Ricki

The Author: Lou Honderich

The Story:  Ricki, a ten-year-old deaf girl living in Oklahoma, is crazy about horses. Her dream is to win first place in a horse show. At her grandparents’ farm she works toward that goal, riding their Quarter Horse, Frosty.

Then an unexpected event rocks her family’s comfortable life, bringing new challenges for everyone. Discover the fascinating world of deaf culture and sign language.

Cheer for this spirited, determined girl on her quest for a blue ribbon.

About the Author: Lou Honderich is a former teacher and life-long horsewoman. During her teaching career she taught Kindergarten, first grade and elementary PE. Her hearing loss as an adult led her to the deaf community, sign language, and a new direction in teaching. She

began to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students in self-contained classrooms, mainstream situations, in summer camps and therapeutic horseback riding programs.

The author and her husband live on a small farm in northwest Arkansas with their horses, dogs, cats and chickens.  They have five children and seven grandchildren.  Lou Honderich continues to enjoy riding as well as writing, and is currently at work on her next book. www.louhonderich.com

Review by Lenore Batt: Ricki is a sweet and heartening lovely book. It was such a pleasure to read about a family that was not experiencing sexual and physical abuse, addiction, homelessness, psychotic breaks, sibling hatred and crime.

The book will be a wonderful teaching tool for both the hearing and the hearing impaired. It teaches respect, love, understanding and perseverance.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Review by Hilary Kitz: Ricki is a brilliant first story for children and their parents about the bond between a girl and her horse. And this girl happens to be deaf. This gentle tale illustrates with ease the special world of the deaf.

Honderich has worked for decades with deaf children and also is a long-time horse owner. Her knowledge and love for both transcend the tale. I heartily recommend it for all ages.