Nawaab Marwari Stallion of India by Gina McKnight

Recently I received a copy of Gina McKnight’s Nawaab Marwari Stallion of India. It’s always nice to receive a new book to review! And it’s always lovely to receive horse books that have beautiful illustrations to accompany them. Nawaab is one such story.

It is unique, too in that it focuses on the Indian breed of horse, the Marwari. One thing I distinctly remember about this breed is their ears that curve inwards towards each other – so different to other breeds I know!

Nawaab is the story of a young Marwari colt that is born in 1839. This colt belongs to a noble prince named Aryaman. Gina McKnight paints the picture beautifully of the colt’s birth with her words, but the illustrations by Zorka Veličković further build on this.

Nawaab is a beautiful colt, admired by all. Very soon it is time for him to be weaned – separated from his mother. Prince Aryaman soothes the colt when he is distressed at being separated from his mother. Further distress is felt when the town is affected by an earthquake.

To ensure their safety, Aryaman releases all his prized horses so they are not hurt in the stables in the quake.

Nawaab Marwari Stallion of India

The tale then follows the journey of young Nawaab as he seeks out his home and his mother after the quake. Having only just been separated from the mare, Nawaab is keen to find her and reunite with her in the only home that he has known. But his journey takes him far and wide.

As Nawaab is searching for his mother and home, Prince Aryaman is searching for his prize colt.

Nawaab Marwari Stallion of India is a beautiful short tale that is bound to engage young horse fans – and fans of the Marwari breed. It moves at a lovely pace, has some quite poetic phrases to it and ends beautifully. A delightful read.

Author: Gina McKnight
Fiction – children’s literature
In my library? As an electronic copy it is.