A Horse Called Farmer

By Peter Cumming

On a recent Sunday morning I awoke just in time to catch the sound of Stompin’ Tom Connors’ A Little Horse Called Farmer. I’d never heard the song before but sure enough it was the same story as my children’s well-loved book A Horse Called Farmer written by Peter Cumming – a simple little paperback with plain and poignant (pencil on illustration board) art by P. John Burden. The illustrations include (importantly) a map of the Magdeline Islands which my children used to meticulously trace Farmer’s brave and difficult journey from one end of the Islands to the other – back to his old home and the children there who loved him. Following the scents on the fresh summer breezes, running overland and even swimming a dangerous channel, Farmer miraculously covers the distance that lay between him and those he loves.
That Farmer’s journey is based on a well-known true story carries weight with readers of all ages, as is often the case. This is a little book well worth a place on your own bookshelf; it also makes a lovely gift from our region. In French, it’s available as Cheval des Iles.

ISBN:0590717472