Originally published ten years ago as a long picture book, this exciting historical story has now been transformed into a beautiful compact hardback suitable for junior readers. Alison Lester has loosely based her story on the rescue of the Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II.

It is told from the perspective of a young girl, Nina, whose father works at the riding school while Vienna is under siege. They must escape on horseback through the mountains, taking four stallions with them. Nina convinces her father to also bring along an old cab horse who has been abandoned. It is fortunate they do, as the old horse proves invaluable. As is appropriate for the age of the audience, the atrocities of war are mostly kept in the background during their perilous journey.

Interspersed with Lester’s absolutely magnificent illustrations (particularly those of horses), this is an elegant publication of a thrilling adventure story by one of Australia’s greatest children’s authors. It will be loved by readers aged 7+.

Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids.