* "An incredible story that ought to be widely known--a must-read." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "This beautiful, picture-book homage to Doc and Jim is nothing short of enthralling." -- Booklist , starred review * "Born into slavery, William "Doc" Key drew national attention at the end of the 19th century for his training of a purebred Arabian horse, eventually known as Beautiful Jim Key, teaching the animal how to "combine letters to spell words, choose numbers to make sums, find flags to identify states, move clock hands to tell time, and a whole lot more." Themes of racial injustice and the harsh treatment of animals offer a poignant supplement to the main narrative ("Kindness, kindness, and more kindness, that's the way," was how Doc Key described his success with Jim), which has another sturdy complement in Minter's (Ellen's Broom) bold linoleum block prints. Though debut author Bowman focuses on Doc's relationship with Jim, a substantial afterword will leave children eager to learn more about Doc Key's remarkable life, including his reluctant service work with Confederate forces during the Civil War and his efforts to free the enslaved." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review Junior Library Guild Selection Notable Children's Book, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Editor's Choice, Booklist Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction, Recommended Title, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist, Texas Library Association (TLA) Prairie Pasque Children's Book Award Nominee, South Dakota Library Association William Allen White Children's Book Award, Emporia State University Writers' League of Texas Picture Book Winner, Writers' League of Texas.