Tony is a white horse who pulls Tom’s milk wagon through town each morning before dawn. Gentle and reliable, he is beloved by Tom and by the young narrator who always awakens to say hello and to give Tony a pat. The understated poetic text invites readers to slow down and look at the intimate pencil illustrations that evoke an earlier era and a strong sense of early morning. The narrator is neither pictured nor named, but a pair of saddle shoes on the floor next to two pieces of hard candy, an apple, and some carrots suggests that it might be a school-age girl, up early perhaps to help with farm chores in this beautiful pairing of text and illustrations. (Ages 6-8)

Tony was all white,
large, sturdy,
with wide gentle eyes
and a ton of love . . .

Follow this touching tale of a boy and his friendship with a horse, by the late poet Ed Galing and illustrated with remarkable tenderness by Caldecott-winning artist Erin Stead.

A Neal Porter Book

A New York City Public Library Notable Best Book for Kids