I’m always on the lookout for good, wholesome books for my kids to read. So when Vicki Watson, the author of the Sonrise Stable series, contacted me about reviewing her books, I was definitely interested.
The Sonrise Stable series is comprised of eight books. The stories within the pages of these books are about an extended homeschooling family and their love of horses, as well as their love for God.
Stories of family, friendship, horses, and a great God who works all things in our lives for good!
While the books in this series are fictional, many of the stories and characters in the books are based on the author’s real-life experiences and people (and horses) in her life. You will find the following books in this series (along with their scriptural themes):
- Book 1: Rosie and Scamper – salvation; all things work together for good (John 3:16 and Romans 8:28)
- Book 2: Carrie and Bandit – our adoption as children of God (Romans 8:14-17)
- Book 3: Clothed with Thunder – God as creator (Job 39:19-22)
- Book 4: Tender Mercies – caring for God’s creatures (Proverbs 12:10)
- Book 5: Outward Appearances – for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)
- Book 6: Follow Our Leader – deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus; imitate Christ (Matthew 16:24 and 1 Corinthians 11:1)
- Book 7: Rejoice With Me – the parables of Luke 15
- Book 8: Operation Christmas Spirit – unto us a Son is given; it is better to give than to receive (Isaiah 9:6 and Acts 20:35)
You can visit each books’ link above to read more about each book, as well as to view a related video.
Each book begins with an introduction to the characters you will encounter in the book, which I found helpful. The books vary a little in length, ranging from 10 to 19 chapters and 111 to 165 pages, and they all have beautiful illustrations scattered throughout. The books also have a little something extra at the end of each one; it varies by book, but some of the things I’ve found at the end are – information about horse safety, an interview with a horse trainer and riding instructor, how horse hair jewelry is made, training tips, learning about the parts of a horse, information about Christian horse camps, and discussions questions.
I decided to use these books for read aloud time before bed with my two oldest daughters who are 9 and 7. They both really love horses and my oldest daughters has even gone to a horse camp a couple of times and really enjoyed it. The books inspired them to get out the stable and horses they have for their dolls and played with the horses while I read aloud to them. My oldest daughter was reminded of her days at horse camp and would stop me from time to time while I read and tell me about her horse camp experiences that related to what I was reading. It was really neat to see her connecting the two and reminiscing about her time at camp.
I would read one chapter each night to them and they would always ask me to read more. I even found myself reading ahead sometimes after I had tucked the girls into bed. The stories are delightful and engaging, with relatable and lovable characters, that you just can’t help wanting to read more. We just finished one book and can’t wait to jump into the next one.
There is so much to love about these books!
I love that the main characters are homeschooled; it makes the characters much more relatable to my children because we homeschool too. It’s not easy to find books that have homeschooled characters, so I get pretty excited whenever I find books that do.
I love that the books include a Christian message. There are scripture references throughout the books that help teach the characters, and the reader, faith-filled life lessons in a gentle and understandable way.
I love that I don’t have to worry about my kids encountering topics or life situations that our family doesn’t like to normalize – there is no swearing, no divorce, no alcohol or drug use, and no boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. The children are polite and respectful to their elders. These books are wholesome, fun, and warm.
I love that my kids, and I, are actually learning about horses. The books includes all aspects of horses from the terminology and different breeds, to training and caring for horses.
I love that my kids love and enjoy these books!
The Sonrise Stable series is recommended for ages 8 to 13, however it can be enjoyed by older children too, and even younger ones if used as a read aloud.
Each book is $8.95 and can be purchased through the Sonrise Stable online store or on Amazon. To see if this book series is a good fit for your family, try the first book in the series for FREE by downloading the ebook version of Book 1: Rosie and Scamper.
My goal in writing the books was to help children learn about horses and draw closer to God! ~Vicki Watson
Giveaway:
Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter for your chance to win the entire Sonrise Stable series for your family!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Selected winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Giveaway ends 12/7/2016 at 11:59pm EST.
I have two horse crazy young daughters who would be thrilled to add these books to their homeschool library! Thanks for sharing!
I know one girls who would love these
My daughters love horses so it would be for all three of them
I would like to win this set for my 8 year old son. He is a voracious reader and loves books. He would enjoy this set very much.
Love finding good books for my kids to read
My oldest daughter is crazy about horses and loves taking riding lessons. She would love these.
I would like to win this for my niece. She is 10, loves horses and has struggled with reading in the past. It finally has clicked and she now lives to read. She and her siblings are homeschooled so this would be perfect for her!
My two girls would love these especially since they are about horses!
I have 4 girls ages 7-15 who absolutely love horses! My 9 year old is a HUGE reader! These would be such a blessing to us!
These look great! My horse lover girls will LOVE these!
Our whole family! All my kids are currently in the 8-13 age range.
I had never heard of this series until I saw your post. These would be absolutely perfect for my 9 year old daughter!
WOW! I am SO excited about these books! Two of my daughters are huge horse lovers. Their plan is to go to a college in Oregon to learn to use horseback riding as a ministry and run Bible studies. After college, they want to open their own stable together and give therapy lessons along with Bible studies! These books would be very encouraging and inspiring for them.
Is there a way to get an autographed copy of these?
Oh, I love their plan! I think they would really enjoy these books! I’ll ask the author about getting an autographed copy.
I would love to win this series for my daughter. She loves horses and it would be perfect to use in our homeschool next year.
I’d love to win for my daughter!
My daughters (ages 9 and11) would love this series! We are always on the lookout for books that are fun to read, age appropriate, and help them deepen their faith in God.
I would love to this series for my Daughters.
I would love to win this awesome giveaway for my daughter who loves horses!
All my children love anything about horses. This would definitely be for them. ?
I would love to win this book set for my daughter who is an avid reader and horse lover. She ‘s had this set of books on her book wish list since last year. I would LOVE to surprise her with it for Christmas. She just turned 9 years old. Thank you for the opportunity!
I have a young equestrian that would love these! What a great giveaway! Thank you!
Thank you, it is such a joy to learn about a new, wholesome book series. I would give this to my daughters for Christmas!
My daughter would love this series. She is horse crazy!
Thank you for the chance to win it.
God bless!
My daughters would love these!
My girls would love these books, as would my granddaughters !
Linda
My 9 year old son absolutely loves horses and I think these would help him relate to God and his plan for us much easier than any book he’s read so far.
I would like to win this for my son who loves to read.
I’m so excited about these! I don’t know that my daughter has it ever been able to read a book about the homeschooled child, and yet that is her reality.
My daughter would love these books.
My daughter Loves horses, My son loves to read, and they have several friends we could share these books with.
These look just great! Thank you for sharing! :o)
I would like to win these books for my three youngest children. 🙂
I would love to win this set for my 9 year old son who is so interested in horses and even asked if he could get one for Christmas! I am always looking for books to keep him reading. Thanks so much for this opportunity1
I would love to win these for my horse loving daughter!
My daughter loves horse stories and wants to have a Chincoteague pony one day!
My daughter has for many years enjoyed reading each and every horse themed book she can get her eyes on. I’d love for her the opportunity to read another series. Thank you for introducing us to this!
I have a horse crazy daughter!!!
My oldest would love these
I think my daughter would love these.
My daughters, like alot of girl like horses.D
My daughter’s are obsessed with everything horse. These would be great to keep them reading without fighting!
My daughter and I would love these books, thanks for this opportunity!
I would love to win for my 2 daughters ages 7 and 5. They love all horse books. We have read most of the Horse Diaries and several of Marguerite Henry’s books so far along with some other shorter books on horses.
I would love to win these for my 3 daughters. They love to read and they love horses! 🙂
I would love to win these for my daughter, who loves horses! I think my son would enjoy them too. Wholesome stories with home schooled would be such an encouragement to our family!
My nine year old daughter is completely obsessed with anything horse related and she checks out so many from our church library. These are right up het alley and she would LOVE them!
This series is a win-win for our family, combining my daughter’s love of horses with the tenets of our faith as a Christian family.
My daughter absolutely loves horses and this sounds like it would be a great series for her!
My eldest would love these books and they have christian values which is great
This set of books would be perfect read alouds for my 8-year-old, horse-loving, dyslexic daughter!
My 6 year old daughter would like these!
Definitely for our 9 year old, horse crazy daughter! 😀
I would win these for my sister and would read them after her.
Marion
I would love to win this for my daughter Jacqueline! She is into horses and this would be a great way for her to learn more about them and to have some good Christian reading !
I would love to win these books for my horse -crazy 8-year-old daughter. She would love to have a horse, but we can’t right now so horse books have become her substitute. I’d LOVE to give her come Christian based ones!
I would win these for my step daughter, but I would love to read them first.
My almost 12 years old daughter would love these.
MY (just about to turn) 13 year old is becoming hard to buy for, but I think she would really like these!!
My 11 yr old daughter. She loves horses.
My daughter would love these books. She loves all things horses 🙂