Attention all horse lovers! Here’s a gentle, gorgeously illustrated meditation on the healing power of our relationship with animals and overcoming our fears for readers of I Talk Like a River and Rescue & Jessica.

When a shy, young girl attends a school program to read to a horse called Snow, she doesn’t know what to expect—other than to be nervous about reading aloud. Her words often get stuck but Snow’s calm and reassuring company slowly builds her confidence. Rain and the Reading Horse is a beautiful celebration of a girl’s relationship with a horse and the slow but persistent ways we can confront our fears.

Order a copy anywhere books are sold. Want a copy signed and personalized? Order from Books of Wonder.

“Gianferrari and Salyer marvelously capture the stop-and-go nature of stress and anxiety. Read this book to a horse, a dog, a cat, a sibling, anyone!” - Kirkus Reviews

“Exceptionally beautiful illustrations. Children will enjoy this sensitive and nuanced story.” - School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“A wonderfully reassuring pick.” - Booklist

Rain and the Reading Horse was selected to be part of “The Original Art” Exhibition and catalog by the Society of Illustrators, Fall 2025