A new narrative nonfiction picture book from the award-winning duo Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac.

A foal is born at midnight, on the homestead side of the river. Coal black. Star ablaze. Moonlight in her eyes.

On October 31, 1917, the 4th and 12th Regiments of the Australian Light Horse took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon riding his beloved mare, Midnight. This is their story.

Reviews

Midnight: The Story of a Light Horse is a stunning new picture book from one of Australia’s leading creative pairings in the form. The text is a wonderful blend of poetic, emotive prose and historical basis, and the illustrations capture the colours of the desert and bush settings and the starkness of he war scenes with a deceptive simplicity.

Aussie Reviews

Chilling, moving, this narrative non-fiction picture book will enchant readers of all ages–for its simple yet beautifully-written content, and for the vibrant, child-friendly imagery Lessac does so well. Like the dance of the men of the 4th and 12th Regiments on 31 October, 1917, Midnight is a dance between author and illustrator that touches the heart.

Kids' Book Review

Another triumph from one of our leading picture book teams.

ABC 612 Brisbane - Krista Bell

A moving portrayal of the fate of one man and his horse in battle.

Agnew Reading

I enjoyed Greenwood’s sparse yet expressive text. We are given just enough information to allow us to feel the full awful force of battle and share the heart wrenching bond between horse and rider.

Boomerang Blog

Mark’s strong narrative perfectly partnered with Frané’s gorgeous illustrations compliment this historical retelling.

Creative Kids Tales

An emotional yet inspiring story, and the prose writing style brilliantly captures an important moment in Australian History

Get Ahead Kids

The text has the sparseness of poetry; it is poetry, elegant and redolent of the emotions attached to its imagery. The gouache illustrations, in strong colours and naïve style, are arresting and detailed, providing a dramatic backdrop to the story.

Kerry Neary 4MBS

The poignancy of historical picture books is a joy to immerse oneself in, but most particularly when it’s work done by this formidable creative duo – husband and wife team, Frané Lessac and Mark Greenwood.

Kids Book Review

This prizewinning team has produced another memorable picture book, this one to commemorate the outbreak of First World War

Margaret Hamilton

This book would make a great gift for any child who loves horses. It would also find an ideal home in any school library, it would best be housed in the senior section of a primary school library. All in all a very well researched, written and illustrated picture book.

NZ Booksellers Blog

Mark Greenwood’s moving account of a Light Horse Regiment mare’s life, from her birth beside a river in the Hunter Valley to the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 – one of the last great cavalry charges, in which New Zealand also took part.

NZ Listener

The very successful husband and wife team of Greenwood and Lessac has written another enthralling picture book.

Read Plus

Midnight: The Story of a Light Horse cleverly uses one horse to introduce the significance of a particular battle during World War 1

Readings

Miracle of brevity.

Viewpoint