FROM THE PUBLISHER

Humbert the horse loves working with Mr. Firkin, the scrapiron dealer, but he envies the grand life of the brewery horses who pull the Lord Mayor’s golden coach. As the day of the Lord Master’s Show begins, Humbert watches from the sidelines, feeling small and shabby—until a disaster suddenly places him center stage.

For more than four decades, John Burningham has written one award–winning book after another. With their luminous illustrations, gently ironic text, and their genius in capturing the nuances of everyday life from a child’s perspective, they are relished by children (and grownups) the world over. Whether his theme is imaginary friends or picky eaters, fitting in or the triumph of the underdog, Burningham always recognizes that particular wisdom exclusive to children (and so elusive to adults), making his books instantly appealing to young readers. The author of more than 30 books, Burningham has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Kate Greenaway Medal (twice), the Kurt Maschler Award, the New York Times Best Illustrated Book (three times), and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. In addition, his books have appeared on the national television series Reading Rainbow and, year after year, are on school, library, and booksellers’ recommended reading lists. Now newly republished, the books presented here are among the classics of children’s literature.