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Movie Star Benji Teams Up With Gentle Carousel

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      Meet the Real Sundance      Star of the novel Jason and Elihu

Gentle Carousel In The Movies

What's New At Gentle Carousel

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Wish List and Volunteer Opportunities

Our Sponsors and Friends

Gentle Carousel's READING IS MAGIC at Schools

Gentle Carousel's READING IS MAGIC Horses

 Gentle Carousel's READING IS MAGIC at Libraries

Gentle Carousel's READING IS MAGIC Authors and Illustrators

LOVE IS... Magic and Rainbow's New Children's Book

Our Mission

Home Sweet Home

Becoming a Therapy Horse

Elephants, Zebras and Gentle Carousel... Oh My

An Enchanted Afternoon Fairy Princess Tea Party

Magic Horses Poem

Photography Contest Winners Featuring Gentle Carousel Horses

Photo Memories

Amazing People

Our Rescues and Therapy Friends

Magical Moments Fashion Show

2009 Magic of Horses

MAGIC

RAINBOW

ANGEL

SUNDANCE

 ALADDIN

ILLUSION

 CHAPS

CIRCUS

PEANUT

ROCKET

FLAME

DURANGO

SPARKLE

TUMBLEWEED

ECLIPSE

STARLIGHT

MILKY WAY

COMET

WHISTLE

FEATHER

BRIGHTY

MOONBEAM

STARDUST

DREAMER

SPLASH

SCOUT

PRINCE

KALLIOPE

BANNER

CONTENDER

RAIN DANCE

SHADOW

SILVER

GERARD

DONKEY OTIE

MAGIC MAN'S ON DEMAND

The Future Of Gentle Carousel Where will the next Rainbow and Magic come from?

Contact Us

Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

Your donations are tax deductible. Help us grant wishes, make memories and bring a little magic into the world.

Gentle Carousel Inc.

P.O. Box 1672

High Springs, FL  32655

Phone: 352-226-9009

MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

Magic selected Most Heroic Pet In America. See her in AARP the Magazine.

Gentle Carousel in Woman's World magazine.

Gentle Carousel was selected a charity partner in Disney's volunteer program "Give a Day. Get a Day."

 

Sundance reading at a Boys and Girls Club with former NFL and University of Florida  quarterback Doug Johnson for an Associated Press photo.

 

   What an honor and thrill to have Gentle Carousel's Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU.-Shelley Fraser Mickle

" Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

Your Reading Is Magic program and volunteers are heroes every time they walk into a school or library.  Using little miniature horses to inspire young children to read is most creative.  Congratulations on your wonderful charity, spirit and service to your community.

- Bill Bennett " Former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett

"Keep up the wonderful work you do.  I often tell people that Lassie was the first therapy dog--the first to be allowed in hospitals more than 50 years ago!      

Best, Jon " Jon Provost - Appeared as Timmy Martin on Lassie

Canine movie star Benji working with Magic.

"What they are doing is just so incredible.  They are making a difference. These people are the real deal.  They are down there in the trenches doing it."

 -Joe Camp

  Film writer, producer, director, bestselling author and man behind canine superstar Benji.

"What 'Reading Is Magic' does for kids by going into schools and igniting excitement for reading a story is beyond compare.  Keep the hoofbeats going."

Carl Joseph, Author of SOME CALLED ME SUPERSTAR

 

"Reading Is Magic!

Every child you inspire to read is a life forever changed. Thank you for that and for bringing books to life...It can take you from outer space to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Either way, the journey is magical.

...Wow.  Love those little horses... Great job you're doing.  I'm proud of you." 

-Homer Hickam

Magic appearing on The Ilene Silverman Show.

 

James Gurney

Best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book series.

 

 Magic with four-time Olympian and ten-time US Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year, Karen O'Connor.

 

Magic with  David O'Connor, president of the United States Equestrian Federation, Olympic gold medalist and Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist.

 

"Magic and Gentle Carousel,

    Inspiring children to read is magical. You are making a difference!"

 Chris Soentpiet - Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator

Professional baseball player Jon Townsend of the Los Angeles Angels visiting children with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and University of Florida football players at a camp for children with cancer.

"To Magic and Gentle Carousel-

 You have a wonderful program. Thank you for bringing joy to children... Keep reading! It is magic!"

-Anna Grossnickle Hines, author and illustrator of over 50 children's books.

"...Thank you for all the work you do.

...Reading is Magic!"

- Linda Sue Park

Newbery Medal Winner

 

Gentle Carousel on television.

.

  

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

 Authors and Illustrators

Author Shelley Fraser Mickle and Sundance

 

Visit Our Reading Is Magic Website:  www.ReadingIsMagic.org

LIBRARY PROGRAM        SCHOOL PROGRAM

READING IS MAGIC HORSES

 

Joe Camp, film writer, producer, director, bestselling author and man behind the canine superstar BENJI flew from California to help Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic program. 

 

Joe Camp (with canine movie star Benji) signing videos and copies of his bestselling book The Soul Of A Horse to raise money for Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic program.

 

 

    

"What 'Reading Is Magic' does for kids by going into schools and igniting excitement for reading a story is beyond compare.  Keep the hoofbeats going."

Carl Joseph, Author of SOME CALLED ME SUPERSTAR

Joseph started two years at nose guard and captained the football team his senior year, cleared 5-10 in the high jump and dunked a basketball. He did all of this by hopping on a right leg that was almost as wide as his waist. He didn’t wear an artificial limb. They were not allowed in competition. People who watched him said he looked like a “bewitched jackhammer” on the playing field.

Carl Joseph, was just elected to the Florida High School Hall of Fame.

 

 

    Sundance stars in the wonderful children's novel JASON AND ELIHU , A FISHERMAN'S STORY

   Several photos of Sundance appear in JASON AND ELIHU.  Sundance's outgoing personality was captured by best selling author Shelley Fraser Mickle including his love of peppermints and his talent for smiling.

 

What an honor and thrill to have Gentle Carousel's Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU. 

-Shelley Fraser Mickle

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Fraser Mickle grew up in Arkansas and Tennessee and graduated from the University of Mississippi. She studied writing at the University of Mississippi, the Harvard Extension School, and Wellesley College.

  Her first novel, THE QUEEN OF OCTOBER, was a l989 New York Times Notable Book; her second novel, REPLACING DAD, became a CBS movie and is now frequently shown on the Hallmark Channel, starring Mary McDonnell and teen heartthrob Eric von Detten.

Shelley began reading her humorous essays on National Public Radio in l995, and her collection of some of these was published in 2000, titled The Kids Are Gone; The Dog Is Depressed & Mom's on the Loose.

Her humorous essays have also recently become a part of the public radio program Recess, which is being picked up from satellite in radio stations in twenty listening areas ranging from Jacksonville to Columbus, Albuquerque to Milwaukee, Mobile Alabama, parts Texas and the state of Wyoming.

In August, 2000 she began reading her humorous essays on NPR's "Morning Edition".

   Author Shelley Fraser Mickle signing her new novel to help support Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic.

 

Who doesn't admire the creativity of James Gurney, the best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book series.

He has created more than seventy illustrated book covers, worked on assignment as a National Geographic artist,  illustrated seventeen United States postage stamps... and made a little something for Reading Is Magic!

Dinotopia: Journey to ChandaraDinotopia: The World Beneath

 

Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Chris Soentpiet is helping our Reading Is Magic program!

We absolutely love the award winning illustrations of Chris Soentpiet.  Chris has won an NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Literary Work, Society of Illustrators Gold Metal, International Reading Award - Children's Book of the Year (three times) and so many others. 

     

  We use Something Beautiful and More Than Anything Else in our program and they are on our Reading Is Magic Book To Read List.


President Bush reads More Than Anything Else.
 NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (Saturday, February 10, 2001)

Chris Soentpiet has donated beautiful signed prints of his amazing artwork for Gentle Carousel's 2009 fundraiser.  He has also signed posters for us to deliver to our current Reading Is Magic schools and libraries. Thank you so much Chris for your support of Reading Is Magic.

Magic and friends present a signed Chris Soentpiet poster to the library.

 

We are inspired by Homer Hickam's "Coalwood Trilogy" and include all three books on our Reading Is Magic Book List.

    "Reading Is Magic!

Every child you inspire to read is a life forever changed. Thank you for that and for bringing books to life...

...Reading is magic. It can take you from outer space to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Either way, the journey is magical.

 ...Wow.  Love those little horses... Great job you're doing.  I'm   proud of you." 

-Homer Hickam

book cover of The Coalwood Way A Memoir by Homer Hickam

Homer Hickam is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rocket Boys which received a National Book Critics Circle nomination and was named a New York Times Notable Book of 1998.  He is the author of the "Coalwood Trilogy" (Rocket Boys, The Coalwood Way and Sky of Stone), Back to the Moon ,Torpedo Junction and more. He is also a decorated Vietnam combat veteran, retired NASA engineer, an Olympic torch-bearer and the holder of Alabama's highest award for heroism.

Rocket Boys was made into the motion picture October Sky in 1999.

 

   

We use several stories from The Children's Book of Heroes by former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett in our program.

"Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses.

Your Reading Is Magic program and volunteers are heroes every time they walk into a school or library.  Using little miniature horses to inspire young children to read is most creative.  Congratulations on your wonderful charity, spirit and service to your community."

The Best To You All,"

- Bill Bennett

 

A big thank you to author Sylvia Engdahl who donated many of her wonderful books  to Reading Is Magic.  Your support means so much.

Sylvia Engdahl is the author of 1971 Newbery Honor Book, Enchantress from the Stars.  This book  later won the Children's Literature Association's 1990 Phoenix Award , which is given each year "from the perspective of time" to a children's book first published 20 years prior to the award's presentation, and it was a finalist for the 2002 Book Sense Book of the Year in the Rediscovery category. 

This Star Shall Abide won a 1973 Christoper Award" affirmation of the highest values of the human spirit." Her adult novel Stewards of the Flame won a bronze medal in the 2008 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards.

 

 

 Look for Rainbow in a upcoming series of children's books. 

We are thrilled that Rainbow's first book will be photographed by award winning photographers and documentary filmmakers Mark J. and Jackie Barrett.

 

 

Some of Mr. Barrett's current books and videos.

  

Thank you so much for donating your 2010 Miniature Horse Calendars to Gentle Carousel.

See Mark Barrett's work at:  http://www.storyline.net   http://www.markjbarrett.com


 

 We use books by Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park in our reading program.

 

  

"...Thank you for all the work you do.

...Reading is Magic!"

- Linda Sue Park

 

Author Jessica Burkhart and Therapy Horse Magic.

Thank you Jess for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with Gentle Carousel and for your support of our reading program.

   Jessica's new Canterwood Crest book Take The Reins is on our Reading Is Magic booklist.

"To The Volunteers of Gentle Carousel,

Always follow your dreams.  Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.  Stay positive and stay strong.  You have the ability to make amazing things happen!"

Love,

Jessica Burkhart

From Jessica's blog... "When I had a break, I met with Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea. Debbie and Jorge run an amazing organization called Gentle Carousel. The program uses mini horses for therapy to visit sick and abused children. Debbie, Jorge and Magic met me at LCCC.   I took a photo with Magic for their Website and signed books for them to use in their program...."

 

Gentle Carousel director with author Michael Storrings.

Michael Storrings is an award-winning illustrator, designer, and art director who lives and works in New York City. He is the recipient of awards from the American Institute of Graphic Artists, the Art Directors Club, the Society of Illustrators, Print Magazine, the New York Book Show, and he has the distinction of winning the very first Edgar Award for cover design.

Cynthia Nixon:

 Michael Storrings's wonderful watercolors evoke so much of the enchantment of Christmas in the city that I felt as a child.

Regis Philbin:

 Nobody celebrates Christmas like New Yorkers. And no town gets all dressed up like New York at Christmastime. It's a feast for the eyes. It's happiness and good cheer on every corner and Michael Storrings has captured it all for you in this book.

The Honorable David N. Dinkins:

 This remarkable book gives visitors and residents alike the chance to take home with them the many wonders of the holiday season in New York. Michael Storrings shows us New York City at its glittering best.

Mr. Storrings has offered to help provide books for the Reading Is Magic program.

"Reading Is Magic,

Thank you for helping children learn to read...

- Michael Storrings"

 

 

Anna Grossnickle Hines is the author and illustrator of over 50 children's books.  We use several of her books in our reading program.

"To Magic and Gentle Carousel -

 You have a wonderful program. Thank you for bringing joy to children... Keep reading! It is magic!"

-Anna Grossnickle Hines

 

 

 Magic with four-time Olympian and ten-time US Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year, Karen O'Connor.

Life in the Galloping Lane, O'Connor   

  Magic with  David O'Connor, president of the United States Equestrian Federation, Olympic gold medalist and Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist.

 

Dianne Ochiltree's book Cats Add Up is on Baxter's book list!

Lull-A-Bye, Little One

"To Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses,

You are making magic everyday with each child you help..."

- Dianne Ochiltree

 

 

And our new favorite book!

 

 

Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

Your donations are tax deductible.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." ~Winston Churchill

 

Gentle Carousel Inc.

P.O. Box 1672

High Springs, FL  32655

Phone: 352-226-9009

E-mail: MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

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© 2005-2011 Gentle Carousel Therapy Miniature  Horses  All rights reserved.