Dori Chaconas

This is a lovely book about overcoming fears. We all have fears but we have to decide if it's important enough to face. The main character is a boy who is terrified of many things and how he overcomes his fear to make his father proud while away in WWII.

In this book, the boy is afraid of horses and afraid of being left behind while his father goes off to war. Horses were used often to pick up scraps, garbage, and deliver milk. The boy seems curious about these horses but his fears overcome him each time he encounters the majestic beauties. The boy is saving pennies in a jar for his dad's birthday gift but he had not quite figured out what? Then, a man with a pony asks him if he wants to take a picture and at first, he declines but the boy eventually, musters up the strength to take a picture on the horse. What a great birthday gift for his dad? His dad would not only receive this precious memory of his son while away but he will see how his son had overcome his fears. The picture for his dad was more important than his fear so he did it!… (mere)