Books About Horses

Last updated: March 24, 2026

No horsin' around: This list has surefire suggestions for horse lovers of all ages, from picture books for preschoolers to middle grade classics for kids ready to read on their own and compelling contemporary stories for tweens and teens. To find more animal-friendly media selections, check out our lists of Children's Books About Animals and Best Animal Movies for Kids.

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One Too Many: A Seek and Find Counting Book Poster Image

BOOK

One Too Many: A Seek and Find Counting Book

age 3+

Great for counting, adding, detail-seeking, and giggling.

Gianna Marino Counting (2010)

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Crankee Doodle Poster Image

BOOK

Crankee Doodle

age 4+

Yankee Doodle refuses to go town in silly takeoff.

Tom Angleberger Picture Book (2013)

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My Daddy Is a Cowboy book cover: Afro-Latina girl smiles, kneeling in front of a horse; her father is on a horse behind her

BOOK

My Daddy Is a Cowboy

age 4+

Dazzling story of early morning father-daughter ride.

Stephanie Seales Picture Book (2024)

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The Princess and the Pony Poster Image

BOOK

The Princess and the Pony

age 4+

Silly, sweet princess tale is an offbeat delight.

Kate Beaton Picture Book (2015)

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Keeker and the Sneaky Pony Poster Image

BOOK

Keeker and the Sneaky Pony

age 5+

A great choice to keep new readers in the saddle.

Hadley Higginson For Beginning Readers (2006)

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Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One Poster Image

BOOK

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One

age 6+

Silly cowboy adventure perfect for new chapter-book readers.

Kate DiCamillo Humor (2014)

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Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum Poster Image

BOOK

Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum

age 7+

Horse guides kids on fun trip through art history.

Dr. Seuss Picture Book (2019)

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Paint the Wind Poster Image

BOOK

Paint the Wind

age 7+

Horse tale shines with rich plot and characters.

Pam Munoz Ryan Literary Fiction (2007)

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A Hundred Horses Poster Image

BOOK

A Hundred Horses

age 8+

Magical, emotional adventure story great for tween girls.

Sarah Lean Emotions (2014)

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Riding Lessons: Ellen & Ned, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Riding Lessons: Ellen & Ned, Book 1

age 8+

Kind, horsey story spotlights adoption and empathy.

Jane Smiley Family Life (2018)

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A Horse Called Hero Poster Image

BOOK

A Horse Called Hero

age 9+

Exciting, moving WWII tale a gem; not only for horse lovers.

Sam Angus Historical Fiction (2014)

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Album of Horses Poster Image

BOOK

Album of Horses

age 9+

An informational book for horse lovers of any age.

Marguerite Henry Animals (1993)

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Misty of Chincoteague Poster Image

BOOK

Misty of Chincoteague

age 9+

A must for every horse lover's library.

Marguerite Henry Animals (1947)

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The War That Saved My Life Poster Image

BOOK

The War That Saved My Life

age 9+

Abused girl finds courage, family in compelling WWII story.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction (2015)

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Wild Girl Poster Image

BOOK

Wild Girl

age 9+

Horse tale with more depth and a strong girl lead.

Patricia Reilly Giff Family Life (2009)

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Black Beauty Poster Image

BOOK

Black Beauty

age 10+

Classic horse novel has be-kind-to-animals message.

Anna Sewell Literary Fiction (1887)

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National Velvet Poster Image

BOOK

National Velvet

age 10+

Inspiring horse story has small but mighty heroine.

Enid Bagnold Animals (1935)

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Phoenix book cover: Paint horse nuzzling brown haired girl

BOOK

Phoenix: Ride On, Book 1

age 10+

Horse, girl save each other post-divorce in heartfelt debut.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Coming of Age (2026)

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Book cover of Ride On showing girl with blue hair snuggling horse

BOOK

Ride On

age 10+

Tweens, horses, sci-fi form relatable coming-of-age tale.

Faith Erin Hicks Graphic Novel (2022)

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Riding Chance Poster Image

BOOK

Riding Chance

age 10+

Horse helps city boy heal in moving self-discovery tale.

Christine Kendall Family Life (2016)

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