Horses and books — what more could you ask for? I’m excited to chat with dear friend Maria Gianferrari today about her latest book, RAIN AND THE READING HORSE, illustrated by Hannah Salyer. The book publishes today! Here’s the description from the flap copy:
“When a shy girl attends a school program to read to a horse called Snow, she doesn’t know what to expect. Her words often get stuck when she reads aloud, but Snow’s calm and reassuring company slowly builds her confidence. As Rain loses herself in the soothing rhythms of caring for her new friend, her anxiety washes away. // Brilliantly illustrated in peaceful tones of earth and sky, Rain and the Reading Horse celebrates on girl’s special bond with a horse, as well as the slow but persistent ways we can confront our fears.”
Andrea: Hi, Maria! Happy book birthday! 🎉 Let’s just jump right in. As I recall, the impetus for this book came about in a kind of unusual way. Can you tell us about that?
Maria: Indeed, it did, Andrea. Generally speaking, when one is an author alone, the manuscript gets paired with an illustrator after the publisher acquires the manuscript.
Sometimes my agent, Joan [Paquette], and Hannah’s then agent, Kirsten Hall, collaborated to bring authors and illustrators together on projects. I had benefitted from this connection in the past as two of my books, Be a Tree!, illustrated by Felicita Sala, and Being a Dog, illustrated by Pete Oswald, both of whom are repped by Kirsten, were submitted to publishers after they each illustrated a few spreads, and then the books were pitched to publishers and subsequently acquired. In both of those cases the manuscript had already been written.
In this case, however, I had mentioned about how much I loved Hannah’s art in passing in an email to Joan, and that I’d love to work with her someday. Things in publishing are usually quite slow, and it came as quite a surprise when shortly thereafter Kirsten was excited to have us collaborate. After inquiring if Hannah might be interested in working together, Kirsten suggested I write a story based on this image of a horse and a girl from Hannah’s website.
Then the journey of finding a story for this image began, and that was quite challenging. It tends to be easier when, as writers, we have an idea for something that we run with. In this case, I had to find my way into Hannah’s art, and create a story that would resonate with us both.
Andrea: That does sound really challenging, despite how evocative Hannah’s illustration is! How did writing this story differ from the process you usually take, when not presented with an illustration?
Maria: It was quite different. As I noted above, I usually start with an idea, concept or phrase, and I have general vague and fuzzy images of scenes when I begin writing. I am an animal lover in general, and one of the things that I love to explore most when writing fiction are the connections between humans and animals/creatures, and how they bond, are companions. However, I really didn’t know very much about horses beyond that they are magnificent and sentient beings and herd animals. I had to begin with research on horse anatomy, their senses, their body language and the ways they communicate, what they eat, how to care for them, etc. And then once I had this foundation, I could begin to explore how I might find my way into the story.
Andrea: That’s such a good point — that sometimes authors need to build a foundation of knowledge before they begin writing a story. At what point did you decide to turn Snow into a reading therapy horse, or was that in your mind from the beginning?
Maria: The tone of Hannah’s lovely illustration has whimsical and magical elements, but my wheelhouse is more things grounded in reality rather than fantasy. From the very beginning, it was about a bond between a girl and her horse, and their love for each other, and how that kind of relationship can be therapeutic for both parties. But the reading horse element didn’t come in until several drafts later. Once I decided upon that, then it was easier to shape the story.
Andrea: I love your free-verse text so much. You convey Rain’s emotions so well — the rhythm of the words when Snow calms Rain down also calmed me down! Please share with us some of the poetic devices/elements you used.
Maria: Thanks, Andrea! I am glad to hear that! I think animals have the power to bring calm and joy and love into our lives. And Hannah’s art is very soothing and meditative too.
One refrain that repeats throughout are the lines, “Ears twitching/tail swishing” to note Snow’s attentiveness and true presence—that she’s there in a comforting and non-judgmental way, so that reinforces the theme about their developing bond through its repetition.
Assonance, consonance and alliteration are devices that I frequently use, especially assonance. The repetition of vowel sounds is rhythmic and calming. Here’s an example where I use all three in addition to sibilance:
With a swish of the brush
off went Snow’s dust.
Rain circled
and swirled the currycomb
inhaling Snow’s straw scent.
The repetition of the soft “s” “sh” sounds have a whispering quality that create a calm and hushed mood. Sound is so important, since picture books are mean to be read aloud.
And then the spread that Hannah created for this text further amplifies this hushed effect.
Andrea: Speaking of the art amplifying the story’s emotional content, Hannah’s illustrations are stunning — both evocative and fantastical — did you collaborate with her before or after the book was acquired?
Maria: Hannah is such an incredible artist and person—she is a kindred spirit, an animal and nature lover! She is so multi-talented—not just as an illustrator, but in multiple media. I feel so fortunate that we were able to work together!
I wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote some more. When I finally found the story, then Joan shared that with Kirsten, who passed it on to Hannah to see if she felt a connection with it. Luckily for me as a self-proclaimed “horse girl,” she did! At that point, Hannah made some spreads so that it could be pitched to the one and only Kate O’Sullivan at Clarion whom Hannah had worked with before. Then, after it was acquired, we worked together to refine the text and the art with Kate’s guidance. The book is beautiful beyond my imagination!
Andrea: What is your favorite spread?
Maria: It is way too hard to pick just one! They are all so lovely and full of feeling. Hannah’s art is evocative and atmospheric and heartfelt and just plain beautiful.
I will share two!
I love the spread where Rain and Snow are just getting to know each other, and yet there is a literal calmness that sort of emanates from Snow and connects them together with these soothing azure and aura-like lines. I feel calm gazing upon it!
And I love how this spread shows their loving connection as Rain nuzzles Snow’s muzzle—the words literally circle and swirl around them, enveloping them in a cozy bubble-like way.
Andrea: Those spreads are stunning! What do you hope readers will take away from Rain and the Reading Horse?
Maria: I wish we could all have reading/therapy horses to spend time with—wouldn’t that be lovely? But when we’re feeling overwhelmed by the world, we can find ways to ground ourselves in the midst of anxiety in the here and now—by being present and mindful, by connecting with our senses—the sights, smells, textures, sounds to root us in the reality of the moment.
For the introverts out there who feel overwhelmed in social settings, if you feel worried or anxious about reading aloud, or speaking in public, try practicing beforehand—read aloud to your pet cat, rat, dog, plants and plushies—their presence can be comforting and reassuring, and you can summon that serenity when you need it.
Andrea: Thank you for those much-needed reminders/tips, Maria, and for chatting with me about your gorgeous new book!
Maria: Thanks for having me here, Andrea!
And thanks to Clarion Books for generously donating a giveaway copy of Rain and the Reading Horse for a lucky Picture Book Builder reader (US addresses only—sorry!)
Please leave a comment below by October 28th to enter the giveaway.
As a shy, animal-loving kid, Maria Gianferrari wishes she could have read to a horse like Snow. As a shy, animal-loving adult, she now gets to write about all kinds of creatures and the bonds that they share with humans in books like Be a Tree!, You and the Bowerbird, and To Dogs, with Love. Maria lives in Massachusetts with her family and dreams of reading Rain and the Reading Horse to a horse! You can learn more at her website: mariagianferrari.com.
Hannah Salyer’s work, including Packs: Strength in Numbers and Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art, has been recognized by American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators and featured in various exhibitions in New York City. Her books have been deemed Gold Standard Selections by the Junior Library Guild. She teaches art to students of all ages, including those at Parsons School of Design, has a ceramics practice, and is co-founder and co-director of Underland Gallery.
Oh my, this is stunning! I loved hearing the background to this story! Huge congrats Maria and Hannah!
Thanks so much, Deb <3!
Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks, Susan! I agree–Hannah’s art is magnificent!
Wow–this looks gorgeous. Will ask for it at my library.
I love an interesting origin story! Congratulations on this lovely book!
Many thanks, Cathy <3!!
Thanks so much for sharing our book, Andrea <3!!!
Congratulations! This looks magical.
Thanks, Quinette 🙂
As a child who had to give up my horse and farm after my father died suddenly, this book really speaks to me and my love of horses.
Oh, no–that must have been so hard, Stephanie! I hope you enjoy it & it brings you calm & joy. Hannah’s art is so soothing!
What an incredible book – thank you for sharing the story about how it came to be.
Thanks, Claire.
Animals provide so much comfort and unconditional love to humans. We are so blessed to be able to care for them. This book is gorgeous and as a horse lover and fan of Maria’s work, I can’t wait to read this book too.
Thanks, Danielle 💙!
Lovely words and illustrations. Congratulations.
Thanks, Sandra!
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for commenting, Katie!
Maria, this is all so beautiful–the art, the story, your story, this post! xoxo Thank you (and Andrea!) for sharing this with us! (I love the spreads you chose as your favorites, too!)
Thank you, Sheri 🫂🩵🫂
Delightful interview and book and art! Artistically therapeutic on so many levels!
Thank you, Sheri 🫂🩵🫂
😍😍😍
This is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!
Agreed, Angie!!
I love the story of how this story came to be, and I can’t wait to read it because it is clearly gorgeous–both the text and the art!
Thanks, Rebecca!
What lovely words and pictures! A perfect collaboration! I can’t wait to share it with my granddaughter, who is a horse lover, too!
I hope she enjoys it!
The words and images are beautiful. Thank you for sharing their “incubation” story.
😍
Horses are such powerful creatures. My dad sold ours when it kicked and broke his arm. I hope he had a good life.
How sad! They can spook so easily.
Now we all want a horse to read to! I like your suggestion that even if you can’t have a horse you can still read to your cat, dog, goldfish or favorite stuffed animal. I like every thing about this: how your story idea developed, the illustrations that are works of art, and a real life tool for so many of us!
Indeed!!
Such a beautiful marriage between words and pictures in this book!
Thanks, Kathy!
What beautiful illustrations and story! Can’t wait to read it!
Hannah’s art is so beautiful, Mary!