Bastedo, J. & S. Tooke. 2007. Free as the Wind – Saving the Horses of Sable Island. Red Deer Press, 1512, 1800 – 4 Street SW, Calgary Alberta T2S 2S5. 32 pages.

Note: This book’s strength and originality are in the imagining and conceptualization of the story by artist Susan Tooke of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The book, 28.5 cm x 22.5 cm, features 16 illustrations, with roughly 1400 words of text. Also, a brief history (about 550 words) is provided in the front endpapers.

This story is based on the children’s campaign that in 1960 contributed to reversing a government decision to remove the horses from Sable Island. The writing contains many scenes that are so reminiscent of photos in various books and websites about Sable, that one wonders if the author, Jamie Bastedo (resident of Yellowknife), simply rummaged through published materials and cobbled together a skimpy text comprised largely of descriptions of images and events he found in other works. This might account for the disjointed and jagged storyline. For example, Blake, an unexplained character rounding up horses on the island, is portrayed as callous regarding both the horses and the boy. But when he appears again on the last page, Blake inexplicably applauds when the old stallion jumps up and knocks him over – Blake claps his hands and says “Good show, old boy!”  And where did that silver horseshoe come from…?

However, Susan’s illustrations make this book worthwhile. Her loose and airy style captures the island’s expansive and breezy landscapes, as well as the exuberance of unfettered horses and terns in flight. Equally strong are Susan’s renderings of the more sombre and thoughtful moments in the story. This is a picture book for young readers, and it is a book of paintings. It will be appreciated by children and educators, and also by many people interested in Sable Island.