Prolific New Zealand children's author Sandra Markle joins forces with American illustrator Layne Johnson in this picture-book set on Canada's famed Sable Island. When a herd of domesticated horses is left behind on the tiny crescent isle off the coast of Nova Scotia, the young stallion in their midst emerges as a leader, helping the others to adapt to this strange and free new life. Eventually the herd flourishes, going on to make a home for themselves in this new place. The book closes with an author's note about the true story behind her fictional narrative, and about horses, as well as a list of further reading ideas...

Having recently enjoyed Briana Corr Scott's She Dreams of Sable Island, a poetic picture-book about a young girl who dreams of exploring the eponymous isle, I went in search of other picture-books about this extraordinary place. I'm glad that I did, as I found Race the Wild Wind: A Story of the Sable Island Horses to be immensely enjoyable, pairing a simple but engaging story from Markle with beautiful oil paintings from Johnson. The story of Sable Island and its horses reminds me of similar tales from American history, in which wild horse herds eventually flourished on various islands along the eastern coast, from Virginia's Assateague Island to North Carolina's Outer Banks. The wild horse herds of America's eastern coast are believed to have come from equine survivors of Spanish shipwrecks, during the days of exploration, while the prevailing opinion regarding the origin of the Sable Island herd is that they were let loose deliberately, by a merchant who later intended to collect them, but never did. Whatever the case may be, they continue to thrive to this day, and are beautiful to behold.

Recommended to young horse lovers and to picture-book readers who enjoy animal stories, or are interested in Sable Island. For my own part, I will have to see if I can track down a copy of Free as the Wind: Saving the Horses of Sable Island, which details how Canada's children stepped up to help the eponymous horses, when they were threatened with destruction in the 1960s. ( )

"Race the Wild Wind: A story of the Sable Island Horses" is where a young stallion and other horses are dropped off in the sea and they swim their way to shore. They make it to Sable Island, when they are on Sable Island they endure different types of climate changes then what they are used to. They young stallion proves that he is a leader and helps saves the other horses. The setting of this book is on an island off the coast of Nova Scotia, which is located in Canada. Sable Island is a very little island, where horses are able to roam freely. This setting allows the horses to roam free and go anywhere they please. I also believe that this is the better way to let the horses live rather than them fenced up on a ranch. Books show us that you can't give up when things get hard or when you are not use to a certain thing. Books also show that if you keep pushing forward that you can make it through and there is a great outcome at the end. ( )

This book is about a group of horses that were let dumped off of a ship into an ocean. These horses thankfully made their way to a nearby island. Today, this island is called Sable Island. Both words and illustrations are beautiful throughout this book. Readers will gain an understanding of what this island was like long ago. The author’s note in the back of the book was also very interesting to read! ( )

Young stallions are dropped off the coast of Novia Scotia, and they must battle for their lives against all the elements alone with no human aid. The horses struggle to find food, and must band together to survive. Through the treacherous conditions, the stallions are triumphant! The horses not only survive but thrive on the island. The true beauty of this story is through the illustrations. The pictures reveal the breathtaking views of Sable Island in 1700’s through oil paintings. It offers a glimpse of what the primitive island would look like inhabited only by nature. The author takes us back to remind us of the raw beauty of untouched land. ( )

Horses from a passing ship are let go near the Stable Islands and are forced to swim to reach the island. Former horses with masters and jobs, these horses are now left to face the island alone and unaware what it holds for them. Soon the horses start to create family bands and lose their domesticated side. A stallion who is faster and stronger becomes the "leader," the look to him in situations. Many months go by and they are still able to live on this island together. It is not until a horrible winter storm comes through do all the horses look to this stallion. He is able to save them in this hard time and in turn becomes their real leader. This book shows how the horses have to adapt to live in this new land and how they have to come together in order to really be able to survive. ( )