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Toy
Reviews & Book Reviews
Playzak Holiday Gift Guide:
http://www.playzak.com/buyersguide/category.asp?id=74
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Wild Heart Ranch Inc., a
children's toy and publishing company that has built its brands
around original stories about nature and endangered species,
encourages young readers and parents to become informed and make a
difference in the animal world. The current lines, "Bradford and
the Journey to the Desert of Lop", "I Sea Horses, From Sky to Sea"
and "No More Night Mares" address conservation of the critically
endangered wild Bactrian camels, seahorses and wild horses.
Wild Heart Ranch recently launched a Kids Club contest asking
readers to contribute their stories of altruism and goodwill towards
the animal kingdom. The purpose of the contest is to spread the
message to participants that "kids can make a difference"; submit
your story on how you are helping animals, wild or domestic, to have
a better life. The site also features a section entitled "endangered
animal news" and a related blog.
Wild Heart Ranch Kids Club Contest - For more information and
how to enter, check out the Kids Club Contest page at
www.WildHeartRanch.com
Reviewer - Chris Byrne - The Toy Guy - theToyGuy.com
Read more |
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The Toy Man on Line.com As many of us already know, innovative new concepts in toys are few and far between. Well, Wild Heart Ranch chose to pick up the reigns and get innovative. Wild Heart Ranch Inc.
www.wildheartranch.com is a content driven toy company that creates innovative non-violent toys and products based on original ideas and characters. They take the concept of "ChildSafe" product quite seriously, yet strive to keep the innovative ingredients present as well with their very special line of products for 2004.
Read more
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Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2004
This new product I Sea Horses is one of six collectible plush seahorses. I Sea Horses will also be part of a book and other products. The website offers information about real live seahorses teaching children that they are fish with unique characteristics. This company has also produced other products based on original ideas, stories, and characters. The site follows the tale of three magical horses that cross the line between ocean and Earth. It expands the ocean terrain with a new roadmap and the seahorses are protected. This product is working to also protect the wild seahorses. There are also facts about learning about seahorses themselves, what they eat and how they live.
Read more
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TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Girls Plush
by Kristin Abraham
The hottest toys of previous seasons have successfully combined interaction and cuddliness and created rage sensations among tots and parents alike. According to Michelle McLaughlin, director of retail development for Nickelodeon Consumer Products, interactive plush is on the rise. This year, these toys are tackling some difficult tasks including singing, walking, dancing, and even potty training.
Read more
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Seal of Approval Winner Spring '00 - Lucky Stars Collection
The National Parenting Center
We dare you not to fall in love with these adorable little ponies who will snuggle with your children in bed at night. What a huge hit they were with everyone who played with them. Time and again we watched these little pint-sized plush animals work their magic with our testers. There is an almost instantaneous attachment to the small, adorable ponies with the portable nightlight built right into the nose. Wild Heart Ranch offers a pretty large assortment of ponies to choose from, each with a unique style and coloring. Each one comes with an identifying hang-tag with names like Moonbeam, Comet or Painted Sky.
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Seal of Approval Winner Spring '00 - No More Night Mares
The National Parenting Center
This sweet, soft and cuddly stuffed companion is destined to become a bedtime favorite of many young children. You see, not only is "Lucky Stars" an attractive and appealing horse, he also has a nightlight hidden in his nose that glows gently at your child's touch. The soft blue glow will stay on for a period of time and then turn itself off. Your child has control over when and how to use the light. This gave them a great feeling of control and calm. No More Nightmares comes in three different horse styles, each with its own legend and history, which parents and children loved. Whether it's Comet, Moonbeam or Lucky Stars (seen here), No More Nightmares will become a bedroom fixture. |
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Kids' Turn Central
Kids Product Review: No More Night Mares - Wild Heart Ranch Inc.
Are you afraid of the dark? Do you have scary dreams that make it hard to sleep some nights? Comet, Lucky Stars and Moonbeam might be able to help!
Read more
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Book Reviews
Creative Child's Top Creative Toy Awards 2005
No More Night Mares, a PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD (Plush Toys for
Kids category)
No More Night Mares a Dream of Freedom Book, a SEAL OF EXCELLENCE
AWARD (Storybooks for Kids category)
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Bradford and the Journey to the Desert
of Lop
Author: Dawn Van Zant
ISBN: 0-9761768-2-3The
following review was contributed by:
Kathryn
Atwood:
Click
Here To View More Of Kathryn's Reviews
Bradford, the title character in Dawn Van Zant's "Bradford and the
Journey to
the Desert of Lop," is a boy who watches "Zorro," who owns a shirt
declaring the
word "warrior" and who wears a necklace that holds "cancer beads,"
one for every
significant battle in his deadly struggle with the disease..
One night, the "Sandman" comes and takes him on a journey into the
desert of Lop
to meet a group of endangered Bactrian camels. Bradford, always
ready for a
challenge, joins them and begins his adventure. He's just not sure
what that
adventure is.
The reader is generally in the dark as well but for the most part
that doesn't
seem to matter. The publisher, Wild Heart Ranch, seeks to combine
the dual
themes of child empowerment with a knowledge of endangered animals,
so the
denoument of "Bradford" isn't as important as the journey itself
(via an
endangered camel species) and the self-esteem acquired during that
journey by
the brave but very sick Bradford. And when you read dreamy
descriptions like
this one: "A blanket of stars filled a sky that was endless, like
the desert in
front of him. The moon silhouetted the image of a small boy riding a
camel
through the desert night" it doesn't seem to matter that Bradford's
destiny or
destination isn't completely clear.
The book exhibits an occasional grammatical awkwardness such as this
misplaced
comma: "Maybe these camels, knew the secrets of life." "Bradford"
also
occasionally contains a repetitiveness linked to "telling" rather
than "showing:
"Brad was seeing the desert as a magical place . . . " Why not just
show us
that magic?
Van Zant has created such a dreamy landscape in "Bradford and the
Journey to the
Desert of Lop," however, that these minor imperfections will be
swept away by
the magical desert sands of Lop as young readers make their way
through their
own adventures on the back of an endangered Bactrian camel named
Judy.
Click here for the source of the review |
Dawn Van Zant's Newest Book |
E/The Environmental Magazine -
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3016
Greening the Next Generation
Did you ever hear the tale of the wild horses that once fled capture
and extinction at the hands of man by descending into the sea and
changing form? Wild Heart Ranch Books would like to tell you and
your child the story. Wild Heart Ranch founder and author Dawn Van
Zant has integrated wildlife conservation into vividly illustrated
children's tales of action, adventure and bravery. Three such
stories, I Sea Horses: From Sky To Sea, No More Nightmares: A
Dream of Freedom and Bradford and the Journey to the Desert
of Lop are presently in bookstores. Van Zant's tales
fictionalize, yet explain in easily understood and endearing terms,
the hardship and demise of America's wild horses. Bradford, a real
young boy who suffered from the ravages of Ewing's Sarcoma, goes on
a fictional journey to seek out and save the wild Bactrian camel.
Each of Van Zant's stories ends with an outline of a related
on-going conservation project, from Project Seahorse to the Wild
Camel Protection Foundation. Available plush animals can also bring
the main characters right to your children's waiting arms. - Shauna
Dineen
CONTACT: Wild Heart Ranch, (888) 889-9213,
www.wildheartranch.com. |
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Bradford and the Journey to the
Desert of Lop
By Dawn Van Zant
Review by Heather Froeschl of
www.Bookideas.com,
www.Quilldipper.com
The sandman travels each night to visit the children of the world
and bring them peaceful sleep and good dreams. He is also on a
mission to find a hero. From the sands of the Gobi Desert he seeks a
warrior who will help the wild Bactrian Camels. The sandman finds
young Bradford, a boy battling the war against cancer. Bradford
knows that this is the adventure he has been waiting for as he takes
the hand of the sandman and finds himself falling onto the soft
sands of the vast Gobi.
In this magical dream Brad will befriend the camels that called to
him, listen to the wind speak words of wisdom, and travel with the
Uighur people to their village. He will battle raiders of an ancient
tomb, and learn the lessons that the wild desert has to teach. Most
importantly he will learn that the camels have secrets to share,
secrets that possibly involve the very sickness running through his
own body and those of the village children.
The wild Bactrian camel has adapted to an environment in China, the
Gashun Gobi Desert, which was for 45 years, a nuclear test site. The
camels seem to have been unaffected by the radiation and are
breeding naturally, even evolving to consuming salt water. This
leads some scientists to believe that study of these wonderful
creatures could lead to a better understanding of treating cancers.
However, the Bactrian camel is Critically Endangered, and they are
indeed calling out for a warrior to help them. Will today’s children
be the warriors of tomorrow?
This book is a tribute to the real Bradford. It is a call to arms
for those willing to listen to the battle cry against cancer, as
well as the call for help from the wild camels. It is also a
wonderful tale of the power each child has within. An inspiration,
this book will hopefully be read over and over again to children
everywhere. Entertaining, educational and inspiring, it is well
written, full of adventure and the power of courage; “Bradford and
the Journey to the Desert of Lop” is an absolute must read! |
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The No More Night Mares
By Dawn Van Zant
Review by Heather Froeschl of
www.Quilldipper.com
In honor of the once great herds of wild horses, the legend of
Comet, Moonbeam and Lucky Stars - the night mares, is born. For all
the magic and wonder that the herds instill in our hearts, the
essence of the night mares shines down from the midnight sky
granting wishes from the
stars.
The beautifully illustrated, magical book, "The No More Night
Mares," is an inspiration - but more than that, it is a dream
weaver, a mind-expanding myth, and a mystical tale of moral guidance
and love. What child doesn't dream of horses or wish upon a star?
Eclipse is the fastest and strongest stallion in his territory. He
is the leader of his herd and is blessed by the protection of the
night. He moves his herd of females and foals through the fog and
darkness so that their greatest danger, man, does not detect them.
Having been captured as a foal with his mother, Eclipse's escape has
made him very wise. One night though, even he is unaware of lurking
danger.
A friendly rival, Golden Earth, races to warn Eclipse of an
approaching herd of two-legged hunters. Dividing the herd, sending
the slowest of his mares and the foals to safety with Golden Earth,
Eclipse gathers his fastest mares to draw the humans away. What
happens next is the stuff legends are made of. The mares become
guiding lights forever more.
Creating a legend is not easy, but Wild Heart Ranch, with author
Dawn Van Zant and illustrator Kim McElroy have done so, inspiringly.
Appealing to horse lovers of all ages, and anyone who gazes at the
stars in wonder, "The No More Night Mares" is a book to be
treasured.
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Bradford & the Journey to the Desert of Lop
Dawn Van Zant
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
http://www.rebeccasreads.com/reviews/03chi/03vand56.html
2005 Wild Heart Ranch Inc.
ISBN: 0976176823
Cancer patient Brad & the Sandman take a magical trek to discover
the secrets of the heart.
Dedicated to nine year old Bradford Lawless, a true warrior
at heart & his battle with cancer (Ewing's Sarcoma) this tale
combines elements of his real life woven into a magical journey of
hope.
“When the Sandman comes to visit you tonight, you need to
listen closely as you close your eyes & drift off to sleep. It is a
tale of magic that lives in the desert, of buried ancient treasures,
vanishing wild camels, forgotten people & the courage of a small
unlikely warrior destined to be their guardian.”
Read more......
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Bradford and the Journey to the
Desert of Lop
AUTHOR: Dawn Van Zant
ILLUSTRATOR: Alexander Levitas
Publisher: Wild Heart Ranch
ISBN: 0-9761768-2-3
Pages: 37 - Jan. 2006
Review by: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews
Young Bradford lay sleeping in his bed, ‘Warrior’ t-shirt and
nightcap firmly in place. A visit from the Sandman takes him on a
journey of excitement, adventure and discovery that readers will
enjoy immensely.
Bradford is a cancer patient and unable to run and play like other
boys his age but in his dream he is whole again. He meets the
Uighurs, a band of nomads that travel by camel across the desert
sand. They lead him to a wonderful, enchanting place filled with
wild Bactrian camels that possess an amazing trait; a uniqueness
that may help boys and girls like him.
Author Dawn Van Zant writes with skill and dedication, using easy to
understand dialogue. Children of all ages will enjoy this adventure.
The illustrations by Alexander Levitas are charming and tell the
story well for younger readers.
The book is intended to bring awareness to the existence of the wild
Bactrian Camels of China and Mongolia and the Wild Camel Protection
Foundation with patron, Jane Goodall. Readers are given contact
information for the foundation and the website to further their
knowledge of these amazing creatures. We wish Dawn and the Wild
Heart Ranch much success in all of their very deserving ventures.
Highly recommended by reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
May be purchased directly from the publisher @
www.wildheartranch.com
or Amazon.com
Direct link:
http://www.allbookreviews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=616 |
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"Bradford and the Journey to the
Desert of Lop"
WHAT A READ!!!
This is one of those moving stories that REALLY MOVES you to think
about Life. It is with determination and love that this young boy
"Brad" shares his dreams and his wishes.
I believe also after reading this book that there could be HOPE for
some in the Desert.
It is a book that all with or without children should read. The
tears flowed, but at the end they flowed with the knowledge that the
seed has been planted, now let all who read it, fertilize and watch
it grow. Share this with your family, friends and neighbours.
It has given me a little more appreciation of life, and awe that a
young boy can move me to that extreme.
we need to pass this book around, pass the word around, and never
give up hope in finding a cure. We just need to remember that the
camels are to be appreciated, not taken for granted.
Thank you,
Donna Foulds |
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Bradford and the Journey to the
Desert of Lop
by Dawn Van Zant
Illustrated by Alexander Levitas
Direct Link:
http://www.myshelf.com/kids/fiction/06/bradfordandthejourneytothedesertlop.htm
Dawn Van Zant's intentions with her picture book, Bradford and the
Journey to the Desert of Lop, are commendable. The book is dedicated
to Bradford Lawless, a child who lost his battle with cancer, and
features him as the main character. Van Zant also uses the book to
tell the world about the wild Bactrian camels and the people who
live in Gobi Desert. I love camels, especially the shaggy,
two-humped Bactrians, so I was very interested in reading this large
picture book, which is beautifully illustrated by Alexander
Levitas's watercolors. (Unfortunately, there aren't enough of them.)
The Bradford in the story is also seriously ill and is visited by
the Sandman who takes him on a long journey in his dreams to a
stretch of the Gobi called the Desert of Lop. He finds the wild
camels and even leads a charge riding on one, chasing away tomb
robbers in the sand.
The wild camels are unique because they can drink salt water, but
their domestic cousins cannot. They also have never been affected by
nuclear testing that was done in the desert as other animals and
humans have. Even their offspring are immune. But they and their
fragile habitat are endangered. Van Zant includes information at the
end of the book about saving these wild camels.
I enjoyed the story but found it to be quite long. It seemed to be
trying to tell too much. Also, there are three to five pages of text
before a picture is found. Because of this, it is probably best read
aloud by chapters, divisions of the story Van Zant does provide.
MyShelf.com
Reviewer Janie Franz |
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I Sea Horses: From Sky to Sea by
Dawn Van Zant
"The I Sea Horses story is designed to inspire young children to
follow their dreams and move beyond their fears." Book Description:
A magical tale of how the first seahorses evolved from a herd of
wild horses. Pegasus, the leader of the herd, has had a bad dream in
which his beloved herd will no longer be free to roam the land.
Desperate to save their freedom, he leads his band of mares towards
a new home - a home under the waves! Dawn Van Zant is the founder of
Wild Heart Ranch Inc. and the author of its original stories
inspired by a love of nature. Her two children, Callan and Taylor,
have always encouraged her writing and love of horses. Her father
read her animal bedtime stories as a child and it instilled a desire
to create and pass on her own stories.
Read the BooksoftheYear.com Interview
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I SEA HORSES: From Sea to Sky
by Dawn Van Zant; Illustrated by Callan Van Zant
Wild Heart Ranch, December 30, 2005
28 Pages, Paperback, $7.99
ISBN: 0976176807
Genre: Children’s Fiction (Ages: 4-8)
BUY IT -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0976176807/rawreviewers
RAWKidz Rating: 5
Fact and Fantasy Converge, December
30, 2005
Reviewer:
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com) -
See all my
reviews
In I SEA HORSES, author Dawn Van Zant has created a warm and inviting
tale that is written in fairy tale style. The story centers around
how sea horses came to be. Life on land was changing and the mere
ability of the horses to run free was threatened. A herd of wild
horses are led on a journey by a stallion with dreams of living in
the depths of the sea. The journey to life underwater was not
without fear - the members of the herd express concerns ranging
from worries about what other horses will think to the change that
will inevitably occur as a result of their move from land to sea. In
spite of the fears, the herd bravely venture into a new life; one
that comes with dramatic transformation.
I really enjoyed this story, I found that it had a good balance of
fantasy and fact. Children will come away from this story not only
having learned a bit about sea horses, but also having their
imaginations sparked. The book also includes some useful references
to other websites where children can read more about real sea
horses, and learn in greater detail, about sea horse conservation
movements.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers |
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NO MORE NIGHT MARES: A Dream of
Freedom by Dawn Van Zant; Illustrated by Kim McElroy
Wild Heart Ranch, June 2004
32 of Pages, Paperback, $9.99
ISBN: 0976176815
Genre: Children’s Fiction (Ages: 4-8)
BUY IT -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0976176815/rawreviewers
Amazon Rating: 4
RAWKidz Rating: 4.5
Not All Nightmares are Bad...
In NO MORE NIGHT MARES readers are taken on a journey led by a noble
stallion by the name of Eclipse. Eclipse is said to have been born
at the moment of a lunar eclipse with the moon itself shining in his
eyes. In his younger days, he and other members of his herd were
captured by men who wanted to make them tame. Eclipse manages to
escape, and eventually becomes the strong leader of a herd of his
own. Yet the threat of humans was relentless, and eventually he and
some of his herd were cornered. That is until the forces of nature
unite and make a stand for freedom.
Dawn VanZant has a unique voice that is reminiscent of the fairy
tales we all heard as children. She has a gift for integrating fact
with fantasy, and man with nature. In NO MORE NIGHT MARES, she has
taken the abstract concept of freedom, and brought it to life
through the stories of the wild horses. In addition, she uses the
horses to teach messages of hope, perseverance, and courage. She
also demonstrates the impact of man on nature and how not all change
is good. The simple illustrations compliment the story well, while
leaving room for the imagination of the reader. The author includes
a collection of Internet resources so that readers can learn more
about wild horse preservation efforts. NO MORE NIGHT MARES will be
most enjoyed by those already familiar with horses, but it will
likely ignite a passion in anyone who reads it. And while the book
isn't explicitly political, this heartwarming story is sure to spark
an interest in this cause with a new generation of readers.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Publisher’s Website:
http://www.wildheartranch.com |
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BRADFORD AND THE JOURNEY TO THE
DESERT OF LOP by Dawn Van Zant; Illustrated by Alexander Levita
Wild Heart Ranch, October 2005
40 Pages, Hardcover, $19.95
ISBN: 0976176823
Genre: Children’s Fiction (Ages: 4-8)
BUY IT -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0976176823/rawreviewers
RAWKidz Rating: 4.5
Amazon Rating: 4
A Brave Journey
What does a young boy with cancer have to do with camels in the
Desert of Lop? Author Dawn Van Zant answers this question and many
more in a story only she could tell. Bradford is a young boy who has
spent a good portion of his life bravely fighting cancer. On one
special night as he is laying in bed attempting to fall asleep, he
feels a presence in the room. It turns out that the sandman, has
been searching for thousands of years to find "the one," and it is
Bradford. The Sandman takes Bradford on a journey through time and
space that eventually leads them to the Gobi where he is greeted by
wild camels who will guide him to the Desert of Lop. Along the way,
Bradford learns about the camels, the land, and his illness while
proving to himself that he too can be a brave hero. The book
concludes with information about real life Wild Bactrian Camels and
their status as a critically endangered species. The author also
notes, how scientists are particularly interested in studying the
animal's immune system, especially in light of all the species has
overcome to survive over the years, and feel that it will lead to
promising discoveries that could help with many human illnesses.
Once again Dawn Van Zant has written a book that clearly shows man's
connection with nature. The way that she parallels Bradford's
journey in the desert to his real-life battle with cancer, is
heartfelt and inspiring. However, I think the book is better suited
for children in the 9-12 age range rather than younger readers.
BRADFORD AND THE JOURNEY TO THE DESERT OF LOP is a touching story
that teaches lessons about courage and the importance of a positive
attitude, while encouraging readers to learn more about nature.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Publisher’s Website:
http://www.wildheartranch.com
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I Sea Horses, Splash into
Our Undersea Magical Adventure! by:
Wild Heart Ranch
Price: $9.99
Age: 3 to 100
I Want One
The brightly colored seahorses have bendable tails that wrap around
anything. Squeeze their belly and the magical starfish will light up
your imagination. Each seahorse comes with a comb for their long,
colorful hair. (10/12/2005)
http://www.playzak.com/buyersguide/category.asp?id=74
Bradford and the Journey
to the Desert of Lop by:
Wild Heart Ranch
Age: 8 to 100
I Want One
Meet "Judy", a plush, wild Bactrian camel from the story "Bradford
and the Desert of Lop". Branded with a gold moon and star, this
soft, cuddly nighttime companion will send children on a magical,
sleepy journey with the Sandman. (10/24/2005)
http://www.playzak.com/buyersguide/category.asp?id=74
Lucky Stars Collection:
Because Everyone Needs a Lucky Star… by:
Wild Heart Ranch
Price: $9.99
Age: 8 to 100
I Want One
What do little girls dream of?... Horses of course! Magical mini
plush horses that light up with celestial windows of the moon &
stars! The 12 mini horses come in realistic colors, with long manes
and tails to comb. Each horse comes with a nametag & poem based on
the original story of mystical wild horses – ‘No More Night Mares… A
Dream of Freedom.’ (10/24/2005)
http://www.playzak.com/buyersguide/category.asp?id=74
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The No More Night Mares: A Dream of Freedom, September 23, 2005
Reviewer:
Tami Brady (Calgary, Canada) -
See all my reviews
With this book, Wild Heart Ranch Books brings children another lovely,
melancholic story about horses and their quest for freedom.
In this story the author draws a connection between the Pegasus
Constellation and the time long ago when "the land was filled with wild
horses thundering across vast plains."
It is the story of a noble, wild stallion named Eclipse, and his struggle to
protect his herd from hunters. It is also a story of friendship. It is with
the help of an enemy stallion named Golden Earth that Eclipse is able to
save his herd from a wild chase. Besides Golden Earth, the earth and the
moon also help in their own magical way, as these are the "Spirits of
Freedom." The author uses myth, fantasy and even a bit of magical realism to
add depth to the story.
Unlike I Sea Horses, a title with a similar theme by the same publisher
which is aimed at younger children, The No More Night Mares has fewer
illustrations and longer, more complex text. The illustrations, though, are
photo-like and rich with detail, making the beauty and strength of these
animals come alive across the pages.
This is a nice book for parents to read to children who love horses, or for
those who wish for their children to understand the meaning of freedom and
the harm that man has unwillingly done against these intelligent,
magnificent creatures. |
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The No More Night
Mares: A Dream of Freedom
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Nancy Garhan Attebury
Do not miss this book about Eclipse, the shiny black stallion, and
his mares. A rival stallion named Golden Earth respects Eclipse so
much that he races to warn Eclipse of the dangers from men who have
entered the area. In his quest to maintain freedom, Eclipse leads
his four prized mares to safety by having them escape into the sky.
The magical ascent into the night sky allows the mares to become
lights of inspiration while Eclipse stays on earth to protect the
other wild horses. Even the horse-catching men understand the beauty
and magic of the escape. The author's poetic and lyrical words paint
vivid pictures of power and excitement throughout the daring tale.
Beautiful horse illustrations with star-shaped borders add extra
appeal to this title. Youngsters will want to read this book again
and again. As a bonus, on the back cover several website addresses
for wild horse preservation are listed. 2004, Wild Heart Ranch, Ages
8 to 12. |
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The No More Night Mares: A Dream of Freedom
by Dawn Van Zant
In The No More Night Mares: A Dream of Freedom, the author of I
Sea Horses is back to spin more legendary horse stories. In this
tale, Eclipse, a fiery wild stallion, faces the challenge of
protecting his herd from the ultimate threat: man. In legendary
fashion, Eclipse is helped at his most desperate moment through
the intercession of "the
magic of the moon and the stars in the sky." It helps
his herd to become "the
night mares" and they can be wild and free forever.
This book will be appreciated by young children with a strong
interest in horses. Preschoolers will probably have a hard time
with this book because there are not enough pictures per page to
hold their interest through the lengthy text. Several spreads
have no pictures at all other than a grey-blue background and
multicolored stars in the corners.
The horse illustrations by Kim McElroy are beautiful and very
realistic. However, as is the trademark of Wild Heart Ranch
books, the pictures are cropped into shapes that reflect the
overall story, in this case, stars. The cropping left me wanting
to see the whole picture so I could better place myself in the
landscape of the story. As is, the physical medium of the book
is ever present and doesn't allow the reader to become fully
encapsulated in the story. Therefore, I feel that the picture
book aspect of the book is not explored fully enough but the
text would make a good early chapter book.
Overall, this is a nice imaginative horse story for children.
The back cover provides several websites that will help children
get more information about wild horses. The story itself weaves
a fun legend that children will remember for a lifetime
Review by
MyShelf.com 2005 |
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Wild Heart Ranch
- Bradford and the Desert of Lop - Hard Cover Book
Age Range: 9 - 12
Price: $17.99
Phone Number: 888-889-9213
Year Released: 2004
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Toy Type: |
Book
Creative Product
Educational Skills
Hobby
Software |
Your child will
enjoy this delightful story that will help guide them into a
unique dream experience. Help build your child’s imagination
with this tale of magic. Discover the wonders of the desert and
ancient buried treasures, vanishing wild camels and forgotten
people. Learn about the courage of a small unlikely warrior.
Your child will enjoy following Brad, Judy and the Sandman on a
journey through the Desert of Lop. Learn about the endangered
wild Bactrian camel that lives in China’s Gashun Gobi Desert.
This book is an asset to your child’s library and will make
bedtime much more enjoyable.
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I Sea Horses
by Dawn Van Zant
I Sea Horses is an imaginative story of a pack of wild horses who decide to
take up residence in the sea. At first, most of the horses are wary of
moving to such a different environment, "A rust colored mare declared in a
shrill/ 'Oh my goodness some day I might have to grow gills!/ What will
happen to my coat and my mane in the sea?/ I'll be all tangled and weedy,
it's too messy for me!" However, after everyone gives voice to their fears,
they agree to follow their leader, and subsequently, become colorful sea
horses.
While the premise of the story is cute and makes for a great children's
book, the execution does not live up the unique and fun story line. Told in
rhymed couplets, a difficult and often dangerous format for authors, the
rhymes are often highly contrived and forced. "Could it be that they wished
for a new home to be free?/ Could it be they could see the future of wild
horses to be?"
The illustrations, done by the author's teenage daughter, are great and lend
a fabulous representation of the characters to the text. It proves that
young people can be successful, and I was happy to see that her artwork was
quite good. She uses great colors and contrast, however, her wonderful
illustrations have been cropped to fit into small circles (bubbles) that
only grace every few pages. There are several spreads with no artwork at
all, other than a bubbly blue and gray background. The bubbly background was
a cute idea, but it doesn't complement the text and will probably not hold
the interest of the small children whom this text is created for.
Overall, the coolest feature of this book is the back cover. It contains
photos of the plush sea horse toys that correspond to each sea horse
character from the book. There is also information about real sea horses and
how to protect them.
I feel that this story has great potential that could be more fully realized
by allowing Callan Van Zant's art work to hold a more prominent position in
the book to make this a true picture book. The story is fantastic and takes
everyone on a fun journey into the imagination. There is also an underlying
message that even though it can be scary to try to new things, if you have
courage, you may just find that new things can be fun.
The Book: Wild Heart Ranch Books 2004
Paperback 0-9761768-0-7
Fantasy picture book
More at Publisher's Web Site:
www.wildheartranch.com
The Reviewer - Sarah Lomas
Reviewed 2005 © 2005
MyShelf.com
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No More Night Mares, A Dream of Freedom
By Dawn Van Zant
Illustrated by Kim McElroy
34 pages
ISBN # 0-9761768-1-5
Book Review by Dana E. Blozis
Author Dawn Van Zant brings readers the magical tale of wild horses
searching for freedom in No More Night Mares, A Dream of Freedom. In
this delightful children's book, Van Zant captivates readers with
the legend of Eclipse, a mighty stallion determined to protect his
herd from capture. With the help of rival stallion Golden Earth,
Eclipse deftly escapes man's grasp, valiantly leading his mares
Comet, Moonbeam, and Lucky Stars into the night sky.
This story is poignantly written by Van Zant who has long been a
lover of animals and their stories. She lovingly portrays the
struggle of wild horses to remain free in a land where capture
appears imminent. Weaving a lesson of comfort and victory into the
story, Van Zant's words are spirited and colorful, allowing the
reader to become immersed in the story. At the same time, the author
shares a bit of history of wild horses and their diminished presence
in America today.
Magnificently illustrated, lifelong horse lover Kim McElroy offers
more than an artist's rendering of the lively horses in Van Zant's
story. Rather, she captures their spirits and their souls, helping
young readers understand the horses' majestic beauty, their dreams
and their fears. The careful portrayal of each horse contains rich
colors and shadows, giving it life and character throughout the
story.
This book is offered by publisher Wild Heart Ranch, Inc. of Point
Roberts, Washington in its mission to offer toys and books to
empower children and to ease their fears. For more information,
visit the company's Web site at
www.wildheartranch.com.
"Our original legend of mythical horses honors wild horses as a
symbol of what is wild and free in all of us. May there always be
wild horses upon our lands..."
- Dawn Van Zant
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Betsie's Literary Page
The No More Nightmares
Author: Dawn Van Zant
Illustrated by Kim McCoyyy
Publisher: Wild Heart Ranch Books (2004)
ISBN: 0976176815
Paperback: 32pp
$9.99
Rating: Highly Recommended
From Ancient Times They Come!
June 26, 2005
"On a night when the moon passed through the Earth's shadow: At that very
moment fate sealed his name: Eclipse."
Equine enthusiasts, as well as children of all ages will enjoy reading the
history of horses, as told by author Dawn Van Zant and of the great stallion
known as Eclipse.
Zant vividly reveals their legend and courage to survive amidst humans who
seek to capture and tame their wild spirits.
This enigmatic tale will leave searching for stars! 14" plush collectible
horses are also currently available through publisher's website.
Reviewed by Betsie
http://betsie.tripod.com/literary/id256.html
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I Sea Horses:
From Sky To Sea
Dawn Van Zant
Wild Heart Ranch Books
ISBN: 0-9761768-0-7
Children’s
Reviewed by Mayra Calvani
How did sea horses come to exist? Could it be that horses on the
land, threatened by men and searching for freedom, escaped to
the sea?
I Sea Horses takes a magical glimpse into the origin of sea
horses. With beautiful, evocative, dream-like illustrations,
this is an imaginative, heart-warming story that will delight
young and old alike.
Led by the young stallion Pegasus, and with the helped of a
magical star, the herd goes to the depths of the sea to find
peace, freedom and happiness. In the beginning, however, Pegasus
encounters much resistance from the herd, for how is a horse, a
creature without gills, to survive under the sea?
But Pegasus “told them his dream of things coming to be/When
the land would change and they could no longer run free/He did
not know when or even know why/But he felt he must turn to the
sea or the sky.”
The story is written in lovely lyrical verses, but the language
is pretty straight forward, making it easy for the younger child
to understand. The language also has a serene, calming quality
while stimulating the child’s imagination at the same time.
At the end of the book there is a section about Project Sea
Horse and how people can help the survival of these exotic,
fascinating, delicate creatures. Children can interact with this
project’s website and even purchase the plush-toy, sea horse
characters featured in the story.
A picture book that will enchant lovers of horses and sea
horses, I Sea Horses comes highly recommended from this
reviewer.
I Sea Horses: From Sky To Sea by Dawn Van Zant is available at
Amazon.com
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The No More Night Mares: A Dream of Freedom
Dawn Van Zant
Wild Heart Ranch Books
ISBN: 0-9761768-1-5
Children’s
Reviewed by Mayra Calvani
With this book, Wild Heart Ranch Books brings children another
lovely, melancholic story about horses and their quest for
freedom.
In this story the author draws a connection between the Pegasus
Constellation and the time long ago when “the land was filled
with wild horses thundering across vast plains.”
It is the story of a noble, wild stallion named Eclipse, and his
struggle to protect his herd from hunters. It is also a story of
friendship. It is with the help of an enemy stallion named
Golden Earth that Eclipse is able to save his herd from a wild
chase. Besides Golden Earth, the earth and the moon also help in
their own magical way, as these are the “Spirits of Freedom.”
The author uses myth, fantasy and even a bit of magical realism
to add depth to the story.
Unlike I Sea Horses, a title with a similar theme by the same
publisher which is aimed at younger children, The No More Night
Mares has fewer illustrations and longer, more complex text. The
illustrations, though, are photo-like and rich with detail,
making the beauty and strength of these animals come alive
across the pages.
This is a nice book for parents to read to children who love
horses, or for those who wish for their children to understand
the meaning of freedom and the harm that man has unwillingly
done against these intelligent, magnificent creatures.
The No More Night Mares: A Dream of Freedom by Dawn Van Zant is
available at
Amazon
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Betsie's Literary Page
I Sea Horsess
Author: Dawn Van Zant
Illustrated by Callan Van Zant
Publisher: Wild Heart Ranch Books (2004)
ISBN: 0976176807
Paperback: 28pp
$7.99
Rating: Highly Recommended
Spellbindingly Creative!
June 26, 2005
Ever wonder how seahorses came to be?
In contemporary lyrics, children's imaginations will soar as Pegasus plunges
into the ocean in search of a new home!
I Sea Horses is a sea-faring adventure sure to bewitch young and old minds
alike.
The book also includes descriptions of 6 collectible plush seahorse
characters with nametag & poem based on the storybook, available through the
publisher's website. Other information included on Project Seahorse.
Reviewed by Betsie
http://betsie.tripod.com/literary/id257.html
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Follow Brad and the Sandman on their magical journey
to the Desert of Lop to learn the secrets of vanishing wild camels, fossils
and treasures buried in the desert and the magic of the Gobi winds. The book
teaches us that" one small boy with cancer can change the world if you
listen". 5/26/05
ENTER Wild Heart Ranch TOYSHOW
Read more
http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/ToyShow/toyshow.asp?id=176&cat=74 |
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I Sea Horses from Sky to Sea book review from All Books Reviews by
Haley Hodge
By: Dawn Van Zant
Illustrated by: Callan Van Zant
I Sea Horses is the legend of a herd of wild earth horses led by Pegasus
into the sea where they become seahorses.
Pegasus is the leader and wanted a new life under the sea. Some of the
horses in the herd were afraid and some were curious. In the herd were
Meadow, Sunflower, Splash, Sandy and Bubbles. Finally, they made their way
into the blue dark sea.
This book is written in poems. I liked this book because it is a fictional
legend and because it was about my favorite animals, horses. It was very
interesting and I would not change it at all.
The pictures were really well drawn and it looks like they were done in
pastels, which makes them very attractive. This book is just the right
length.
The purpose of the this book is to raise awareness of seahorses, marine
environments and the management of seashores. You can learn more at:
www.projectseahorse.org.
I give this book 3 out of 5 lollipops.
Reviewer: Haley Hodge, age 12.
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Book Announcements/Coverage
http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbcmagazine/hotp/ |
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Bradford and the Journey to the Desert of Lop - Hard Cover Book
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Number of Reviews: 1 Average Rating:
Write your own online review! >
Showing 1-1
Roxanne Sailors Taplett, editor, Simple Things, May 20, 2005,
Captivating story of Bradford on his mystical Journey
Join Bradford as he journeys to the Desert of Lop, with the Sandman, the
wild camels and the Uighurs. I enjoyed this book very much, was fascinated
by the descriptive story of a young boy battling cancer, who one night
leaves with the Sandman on a journey to the desert, rides the wild camels,
sees secrets of the desert and is led to the home of the Uighurs, a band of
people living near the Desert of Lop. This is an inspirational read for
children with disabilties, and offers information n the desert and wild
camels. Highly recommended.
Also recommended: I Sea Horses From Sky to Sea; The No More Night Mares - A
Dream of Freedom |
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No More Night Mares... a Dream of Freedom
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Number of Reviews: 1 Average Rating:
Write your own online review! >
Showing 1-1
Roxanne Sailors Taplett, editor of Simple Things, May 20, 2005,
Adults and Children alike will love No More Night Mares
Beautifully written and illustrated original legend of wild horses becoming
stars. Geared to help children overcome fears of the dark and nightmares,
adults will love this mythical story of horses as well.
Also recommended: I Sea Horses From Sky to Sea |
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I Sea Horses
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Number of Reviews: 1 Average Rating:
Write your own online review! >
Showing 1-1
Roxanne Sailors Taplett, editor, Simple Things, May 20, 2005,
Gear Your Imagination with Sea Horse legend..
A wonderfully written lyrical original legend of the Sea Horses. Reads like
a melody - adults will love reading this book aloud to a special child who
will love hearing this story of Pegasus, Meadow, Sunflower, Sandy, Splash
and Bubbles. |
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I Sea Horses : Bowker's Recommended List
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No More Night Mares... A Dream of Freedom : Bowker's Recommended List
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I Sea Horses, From Sea To Sky by
Wild Heart Ranch
Written by Dawn Van Zant and illustrated by Callan Van Zant, this is a story
of magical marine adventure. A herd of wild horses transforms into seahorses
to keep the life of freedom and adventure that is disappearing from the open
plains. This story of stars and magic will delight families and be passed on
for generations to come. The characters come to life in plush seahorses,
sold separately. This title is just one of several being shown at Toy Fair
2005. - Aire Norell 1/27/05
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Seattle Times Book review
by Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times book critic
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Bookideas.com
by Heather Froeschl
For everyone who ever looked at a seahorse and wondered how they came to be, a myth is born. I Sea Horses is a delightful fantasy of how wild horses take refuge in the sea, giving Mother Nature a wonderful new species to show off.
The brave Pegasus gives thought to the way the world is changing and convinces his herd to look to the wild open seas. The darkness is frightening to some of the horses and so the first star-fish, Marina, offers her celestial light to them. With that the horses begin their new lives, and are filled with light and color.
The text is written in verse, which is light and fanciful but may be a bit hard to follow the first read through. Children will surely want to read the book over and over again though, so they will be sure to get the story eventually. The illustrations on alternate pages are rich and bold and full of the artist's love for horses.
I Sea Horses is a delightful myth that captures the magic of seahorses and sets free smiles to readers young and old.
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BookReviewCafe.com
By LISA
A truly wonderful present to give to a child would be I Sea Horses along with a plush sea horse that lights up. The book is beautifully illustrated by the author's daughter, telling of how this herd of horses became sea horses and what their life is like under the sea.
Join Pegasus, Sunflower, Meadow, Bubbles, Splash, and Sandy and find a beautiful story hidden within the sea.
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I Sea Horses - From Sky to Sea
Published by Wild Heart Ranch Books
Ages 6 - 10, Paperback
Wee Ones Magazine
If you love horses, this story is for you! A mother-daughter team created this charming rhyming story about how a herd of horses became sea horses. Their leader takes them to a dark place but with the help of a star fish to light the way, they enter a magical place! It's a book for young children that will capture the imagination. The illustrations are dreamy and colorful. In our ever changing world it's good to know that great things can happen when you follow your heart!
Visit the
website for information about sea horses. This is a fun site that children will love to go back to.
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The Baytown
Sun reviews Wild Heart Ranch children's books |
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