Come On Seabiscuit

By Ralph Moody
Animal: Horses
Rating: 4 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Before the much lauded book Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand (and its subsequent movie), there was a book written back in 1963 for children on the famous racehorse. It was recently republished with a spiffy new cover once Seabiscuit-fever resurfaced. This heartwarming tale chronicles the life of Seabiscuit from his birth through his hardluck years to his eventual reign as a champion. The book capitalizes on an already dramatic tale by underlining the down and out team of trainer, jockey and horse and concentrating on their victories and setbacks. In some senses, the story has been simplified to good guys and bad guys, but in the end it doesn't really matter. What still comes across is the remarkable tale of a horse that won't quit and the people who loved him. Readers will be hard put not to be yelling "Come on, Seabiscuit!" themselves by the book's end. Robert Riger's great illustrations help highlight the book. If you love horses, horse racing, or just a thrilling real life story, you will be hooked by Seabiscuit.