Unlike a program where people go to horses to ride, Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic takes horses inside to people .  Many of the children we visit have never touched a horse before.  Because we work in preschools, schools and with  children with developmental and physical disabilities,  most of our visits are private. 

Our horses do take part in special events during the year that are open to the public. 

Magic in the radio studio.

     December 13, 2009   Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses will give some love again this year to over 150 foster and homeless children as part of "Christmas For The Community".

   This annual event hosted by Partnership For Strong Families and the University City Church of Christ encourages foster and homeless children with a special holiday lunch, gifts from Santa, a chance meet Gator football players, face painting, a bounce house... and Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

 December 19, 2009  "Holiday With Horses" at Canterbury Showplace. Our horses will arrive at 6:00 PM and the program (to benefit St. Francis House Pet Care Clinic) will begin at 7:00 PM.

23100 W. Newberry Rd.     Newberry, Florida

     February 13, 2010  Branford Literacy Festival at the Branford County Fairgrounds.  Come meet "The Black Stallion", "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" and other Reading Is Magic favorites.

For more information: http://www.sfcollege.edu/bradfordfest/

     March 3, 2010  Radio Interview at 2:30  PM Eastern Standard Time.

    March 27, 2010  The Friends of Gentle Carousel will have a booth at the 4th Annual Mutts and Pups Dog Show in High Springs, Florida.   A Gentle Carousel horse will drop by to say hello.

  April 16, 2010   Luncheon, Auction and Fashion Show at the Opera House of the Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs, FL sponsored by The Friends of Gentle Carousel.

Opera House at the Great Outdoors Restaurant

65 North Main Street
High Springs, FL 32643

Tickets are $25 can be purchased by PayPal.

  Be sure to say hello to our tuxedo wearing horses on the Great Outdoors Patio. The Great Outdoors was voted Best New Restaurant In Florida 2008.

  Auction items include:

A beautiful oil painting of a carousel horse donated by Montage Home Décor of High Springs.

A large black and white alpaca rug donated by Montage Home Décor of High Springs.

     April 24, 2010  Sundance meet and great and gifting of 500 Jason and Elihu books.

Sundance stars in the wonderful children's novel JASON AND ELIHU  published by Wild Onion Press.   His outgoing personality was captured by author Shelley Fraser Mickle including his love of peppermints and his talent for smiling.

Several photos of Sundance appear in JASON AND ELIHU. 

 Come give the real Sundance a hug and meet his Gentle Carousel friends at a book signing at: 

Jason and Elihu

A Fisherman's Story by Shelley Fraser Mickle

For ages 9-12.  Elihu is the famous bass living in Orange Lake in North Florida.  Little does Jason know, he's about to become Elihu's next catch. This novel also features two foster children looking for a home; Sundance, the miniature horse with a craving for peppermints; and a young girl who edits her dream of becoming an ice-skater as she recovers from a brain tumor that has robbed her balance.  Featuring art by renowned painter, Tom Sadler, and photographer, Richard Sexton.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Fraser Mickle and Sundance

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".

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

READING IS MAGIC Authors

June 19, 2010   "An Enchanted Afternoon," a Fairy Princess Tea Party.

Every little girl wishes she could be a princess with a beautiful horse.  For one special afternoon we will make that wish come true!  This is a special tea party she will remember for a lifetime.  Limited tickets available.

Join us for magical horses, tea and treats, special activities, surprises and a little fairy dust..

     Summer 2010   Reading Is Magic Summer Library Programs.

   Alachua, Marion, Bradford, Baker, Union and Columbia Counties / More Dates To Be Announced

 Alachua County Library District Main Branch in Gainesville  

Monday  June 21, 2010  3:00PM at the Story Hour Room

  December 18, 2010  "Holiday With Horses" at Canterbury Showplace . This wonderful family event will benefit Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. 

23100 W. Newberry Rd.     Newberry, Florida

Contact Gentle Carousel to be a 2010 Holiday With Horses Sponsor.