Pickles for Christmas by Kathy Simmers. I loved the story of Pickles the horse. The little boy loved Pickles so much and just wanted the horse to be his. Sometimes dreaming and wishing makes your dream come true.

Matthew’s love for horses and his dedication to Pickles his favorite horse to ride will be very relatable to kiddos. The illustrations will be a tougher sell to readers who are used to a more modern style. A definite for horse lovers, but would be a secondary purchase for any other audience.

This is such a sweet book. It is great to see a new book about horses and ponies for kids since there isn't that many published anymore. Kids and adults still love horses and this would be a great gift for the horse loving kid or to add to the library collection.

Pickles for Christmas is a heartwarming story. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the resolution. The art is well done. I will be purchasing this book for my child. We are horse lovers and I cannot wait to share this story with her.

Thank you to Bound to Happen Publishing | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review

A delightful little book for any budding Horse riders and beautifully drawn illustrations by Marjorie van Heerden. I especially appreciate the main character being shown as left handed - this is strangely unusual in children;s books. Brought back memories form my own childhood of riding lessons with my little equine friend Jonty!

#PicklesforChristmas #NetGalley

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful book for any child who loves horses, which is pretty much most of them. Except for the part that the parents actually buy the horse (Pickles) for their son, so maybe the book is best for those parents who can actually afford to buy the horse. Otherwise, you are reminding your child (who already knows) that you have yet to buy them a horse.

Definitely would recommend this book!

Such a sweet story and great illustrations.
If you have any kids that like horses this will be a great story to share with them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Pickles for Christmas is a beautifully illustrated children's picture book based on a real story of a little boy called Matthew and the horse he fell in love with and who loved him back just as much.
Matthew loves horses and isn't bothered by which horse he gets to ride (no matter how tricky they are) as long as he gets to ride one. When he goes to Pony Camp for two weeks in the summer, he gets to ride the same pony every day for the whole two weeks. This pony is called Pickles, and the pair form an unbreakable bond. When Pickles is put up for sale, Matthew is heartbroken until his parents realise how much Matthew loves Pickles and all he does to care for him.
This was such a beautiful book, and any horse lover will absolutely adore this.

What a sweet story about a little boy and the horse he loves! I also loved the illustrations. The only note I have about this book is do not give it to a child who really wants a horse but will not be getting one.

This is a kind and emotional story (and once I reached the author’s note at the end, explaining that it was inspired by a real boy’s adoption journey and his dream of a pony, it touched me much more deeply).

But while reading, I couldn’t shake a bit of irritation. A pony for Christmas? It felt out of reach (even tone-deaf) in a world where most children’s wishes are far more rooted in everyday reality.
For me, it read more like a fairy tale than something relatable.

Beautiful in intention, but I live in a different reality — and I think many readers will, too.

Pickles for Christmas is a sweet story of a boy named Matthew and a horse named Pickles. After riding many different horses at the stable every day he goes, Matthew is told one day that he has "his own horse for two weeks". The bond that is formed between Matthew and Pickles is sweet and sincere and the care he takes of the horse he loves shows how important they are to each other. But when Matthew learns that Pickles is for sale and another young person might be able to call Pickles theirs he is so sad. Will Matthew get to keep Pickles as his own, or will he lose his dear friend to another young person? You will have to read and find out.

Loved the sweet story of Matthew and his horse Pickles. The illustrations and the story really emphasized the strong relationship that the two had together and how they absolutely cared and loved spending time with each other.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BoundtoHappenPublishing for the chance to get an ARC of #PicklesforChristmas.

4 ⭐

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Bound to happen Publishing and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pickles for Christmas is the story of Matthew and his love for horses, how he meet Pickles and the beautiful friendship that blossomed from that first meeting onwards.

This is one of those stories that makes your heart melt, it's a beautiful story and it's a perfect Christmas tale for children. The illustrations are gorgeous, the style is very detailed and pretty.

This is one of those sweet books that melts your hearts. Horses are always wonderful stories for children. This story has friendship, love and sweet relationships. I read this with my grandchildren and it got some happy high fives and smiles. One of them even wants her own horse. It will be a treat to share this book with other families.

a cute Christmas story for little ones, and the jar of pickles 🥰 was such a cute thing. will definitely be sharing with classes around Christmas they'll love that he's called pickles 🥒

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this adorable book!

Matthew's deep love for horses is truly endearing in this story, especially the instant, sweet connection he forms with Pickles at riding camp. Their bond makes for a heartwarming tale of friendship, dedication, and determination as Matthew tries desperately to keep his new best friend.

The illustrations are lovely, especially when capturing Matthew playing with Pickles; they're simply the sweetest & beautifully enhance their deepening bond as time moves on!

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Pickles forChristmas by Kathy Simmers in exchange for a honest review.This is a heartwarming beautifully written and illustrated book based on the true story of Matthew who loved riding and taking care of a pony named Pickles.More than anything else he wanted to own Pickles. Will his Christmas wish come true? Read the story and find out.

Why did i cry? I knew what was going to happen!
This is a very simple story about a boy who loves horses. His friendship with Pickles is precious and silly. When he thought he had lost Pickles, I felt his heartbreak. I will buy this for my friends' kids, but i won't read it to them because I know i won't be able to without crying.

When I was young, there were so many girls who were "horse girls". They loved horses. Read books and watched movies on horses. But so many little boys likely felt left out. This is the book for those little boys,

Heartwarming and sweet with unexpected moments -- this is perfect for the horse person in your life and the holiday season!

So adorable! Takes me back to my childhood when i wanted a horse and my parents bought me one for Christmas. The bond between horses and humans is definitely something special. My 4 yo loved this book and now wants to head to pony club!