Book review: The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret by Sandie Oreta Gillis
 
It’s rare to find a children’s book about a terrible world war waged by adults.  The Horse Soldier by Sandie Oreta Gillis is the first children’s book I’ve read about WW II as seen from the eyes of an innocent 10-year old. 

What makes it even more significant is that it is a true story of people some of whom are still around today.  And so beautifully illustrated by Filipino artists from the Dimasalang III International Artists Group based in Vancouver. 

Although I was too young to remember anything about World War II, I heard a lot about it from my husband Prod who was 10 years old when the war ended in 1945.  For most of his youth, he lived through the ugliness of that war and suffered its destruction, inhumanity, and starvation but most of all, the cruelty of Japanese soldiers, the heroism of Filipino guerrillas, the kindness of neighbors to neighbors, and the generosity of American soldiers when they finally came to liberate the Philippines from Japan.  All this was still fresh in his mind until he died.

My husband was born in Pampanga, home of the Hukbalahap (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon), a Filipino guerrilla movement started by farmers in Central Luzon to fight against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II.  His older brothers and almost all his male relatives were actively involved in this movement so he had a firsthand view of their struggles as he often served as gofers for them whenever they gathered to plan their attacks at their house often late at night. The guerillas were ill- equipped; their greatest weapon was their courage.

Having heard so much about the horrors of this war, it’s heartwarming to read The Horse Soldier about the uplifting humane side of such an ugly war. 
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The children’s book is a wonderful way to introduce kids to history. I loved the epilogue! It clearly showed that a true story inspired the book.

Diane Sullivan

Burnsville, Minnesota

I enjoyed the children’s book. I liked that it was told from a child’s perspective. That is a plus for the child reading or listening to it. He or she can identify with Alice and the other characters more easily. The author effectively showed her message of kindness through the story, successfully reaching her audience. The story flowed well, contributing to its continuity. The dialogue was natural, making the characters engaging. The deep, rich colors of the illustrations effectively developed the mood. Generally, children like happy endings. However, by not stating a definitive conclusion, children can decipher their own.  An open-ended or self-conclusive story ending can encourage children to be imaginative. They can become “authors” and “illustrators” to finish their stories.

Roberta Lynne

Chicago, Illinois

Thanks for the wonderful children’s book! It reminds me of the World War II stories my mother used to tell us over and over. Those were horrible times!

Lewanda Lim

Medford, Massachusetts

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. On one hand, we have the American soldier in the book who bravely resisted and fought against the invading Japanese forces. On the other hand, we have Alice and her family, who quietly sheltered and nursed the soldier. This book shows us how Alice and her family, even in their small way, have contributed to the war efforts and the eventual victory. And how a child has lived through, survived, and overcome the challenges of war.

Ted Chua

Manila, Philippines

I appreciated how the book tackled a serious topic without feeling heavy or overwhelming. Even though the story deals with serious themes, like danger and war, it’s told in a way that’s easy to follow and still manages to pack an emotional punch.

Alice, the main character in the story, embarks on a quiet but powerful journey filled with tension, bravery, and hope. I loved how the book captured the feeling of uncertainty during wartime, but also showed how people, especially kids, can still find light and strength in difficult situations.

It’s also a great way to learn about Filipino history and culture. The author knows the world she’s writing about, and it shows in the details.

Plus, the illustrations make it perfect for readers from any demographic.

Overall, it’s a gentle but meaningful read. If you’re looking for something that’s both educational and emotionally resonant without being too intense, this one is it!

Matt Fortuno

Pasig City, Philippines

There are corners of the Philippines' history that are filled with lost records of bravery and amazing anecdotes of unsung heroes. Unfortunately, most narratives are forgotten and never reach a new generation of Filipinos. The story of The Horse Soldier would have vanished until a prolific Filipino author stepped in to save the day. Sandie Oreta Gillis, the author of the mentioned historic narrative, takes us to a wartime Philippines through the eyes of a real child who had lived through such devastation. The little hero, Alice, is none other than Sandie's mother. Alice's account shows us how war shatters the world of an innocent. Sandie's storytelling effectively guides the reader through the simple, peaceful time to an unforeseen horror of the 1940s. The book shows us that even amidst tragedy, humanity can reveal a glimmer of kindness.

Countless stories like this need to be told. Historical accounts can help modern-day youth learn from the past. I hope for more book creators like Sandie, who will write these fragments of history to be treasured and cherished by the new generation and the succeeding ones to come.

Dominic Agsaway

Quezon City, Philippines

The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret is a heartfelt look at war and its effect on a young child and her family. The book is especially important as it is a true story that records the author’s account of her mother and her family’s part in the Philippines during World War II. The book has very memorable illustrations and could be read by an eight-year-old and up. As an avid reader and rider, I loved the book for showing young readers that animals, too, have served as soldiers, in this case, a horse.

Connie Estades

Executive Director

San Juan Community Library

San Juan, Puerto Rico
 

I loved the story because it has a childlike perspective that beautifully captures Alice’s emotions and vivid memories, offering a deeply personal and highly relatable account. This makes it very easy for kids to understand and relate to, even if the story is set in a different period of history. Also, kids will thoroughly learn about the real people involved in the story through the epilogue at the end of the book. The story has a lot to say about how life goes on, even in the most difficult times, and how people persevere. It’s wonderful to have a book that gives a perspective on a time and place that many kids (and probably, adults, too) don’t know much about.

Genevie de Castro

Tayug, Pangasinan, Philippines

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The Horse Rider: A Wartime Secret is destined to become a classic!

Ivan Kevin R. Castro

Wheeling, Illinois

It is not every day that one comes across a nonfiction picture book based on Philippine history from a child’s perspective. Such is the case with The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret, a story that showcases an American cavalry soldier’s resilience and love for a horse, a woman’s dedication to humanity, and a child’s sense of wonder as she becomes privy to it all.

Beth Parrocha

Caloocan City, Philippines

Panama Children's Library - From the Author's Desk (Rizal Center)

This July at Panama Children's Library Corner, we are honored to feature The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret, a moving story inspired by true events from the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. At the center of this powerful tale is Alice, a young schoolgirl who discovers her family is hiding an American soldier—an act of quiet defiance in a time of great danger. Through Alice’s eyes, young readers witness how courage, kindness, and moral choices can shape history, even in the darkest of times. This unforgettable story offers a child’s perspective on war, resilience, and the hidden heroes among us, reminding us that bravery often begins in the most unexpected places.

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Congratulations on the beautiful book, so attractive, excellent quality in production and outstanding images. You did a fantastic job with the story, perfect for kids and entices them to read it.

Dr. Raquel R. Ramsey

Los Angeles, California

The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret is one of the numerous untold and forgotten stories about the war in the Philippines. The passage of the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal has unlocked the forgotten history of Filipinos--men, women, and families--who fought bravely in that war. It's fitting that our generation, the next generation, and beyond continue to seek out and document the history of our heroic grandfathers and grandmothers through print and other media. I vividly recall Dr. Alice Benitez standing alongside Congressional leaders among the revered recipients at the Emancipation Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on October 25, 2017, receiving her father, Lt. Col. Juan A. Benitez's Congressional Gold Medal posthumously. That moment marked a memorable and historic milestone in both American and Filipino history.

Major General Antonio Taguba (retired)

Alexandria, Virginia

I thought at first that I would be reading about the war exploits of the horse, Bryn Awryn, especially since he was featured on the cover alongside young Alice. It turned out that Alice had kept throughout the war years about an American soldier hiding in their house. I like that Alice and her family are based on real-life characters. The story is simple, meant to depict life away from the city during the war through the eyes of a child witnessing the compassion of her family, particularly her mother, towards the soldier.

Irma Paulme

Quezon City, Philippines

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Kahanga-hanga ang paging bahagi ni Alice at ang kaniyang pamilya sa kasaysayan, lalung-lalo ang gamutin at protektahan nila ang sundalong Amerikano kahit na sila’y malagay sa panganib. Ang pagtulong ay likas sa mga Pilipino sa panahon man o hindi ng digmaan.

Didit Marasigan

Taguig City, Philippines

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The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that highlights a lesser-known story of bravery, compassion, and resistance during World War II in the Philippines. Inspired by the wartime memoir of the author’s mother, the story follows young Alice, a Filipino girl whose family secretly shelters a wounded American soldier, Lieutenant Edwin Ramsey. He led the last horse cavalry charge in U.S. military history and organized a significant guerrilla resistance against Japanese forces.

Told through the innocent eyes of a child, the story highlights the quiet heroism of Filipino families during wartime and the strong bonds of trust formed between civilians and soldiers. It offers readers a unique and meaningful insight into how war affects everyday life, showing how even small acts of bravery can shape history.

Blending historical facts with heartfelt storytelling, the book pays tribute to Filipino courage and the enduring solidarity between Filipinos and Americans. It is a personal legacy rooted in a mother’s memory, now passed down to a new generation of readers.

The book comes alive through the expressive story illustrations by Norman Belen, with cover, design, and layout by Mary Ann Manuel. Their creative collaboration adds visual richness to the narrative's historical and emotional depth.

Published by Carayan Press, The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret also benefited from the editorial guidance of Dr. Rey E. de la Cruz. 

Eleanor R. Laquian

Canada Filipino Net

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

What an amazing story! I love how the story was told, the illustrations were beautiful, and I enjoyed seeing the photos/bio at the end of the book. The glossary was helpful, too. I am eager to share this book with my family!

Lyssa Brown

Dublin, Ohio

I really enjoyed reading your book. A very engaging story for children and adults. And of course, it's great that you can share your mom’s story.

Dr. Peter Dodek (retired)

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Ang akdang pambata na The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret na isinulat ni Sandie Oreta Gillis ay hango sa karanasan ng kaniyang ina na si Alice noong panahon ng pananakop ng mga Hapon. Ito ay nakalunan sa bayan ng San Carlos, Pangasinan, at ipinakita ang simpleng buhay ng mga Filipino sa probinsya sa pamamagitan ng pamimitas ng bayabas at naging saksi

ang mga mambabasa kung paano ito nagbago sa isang iglap nang lusubin ang Pearl Harbor noong ika-8 ng Disyembre, taong 1941.

Ang pagbibigay detalye katulad ng mga petsa ay mainam na pamamaraan ng

pagsasalaysay. Dahil sa pagsasakonteksto ng mga karanasan ni Alice, ina ng manunulat, sa panahon bago at habang sinasakop ng mga Hapon ang bansa, nauunawaan ang mga naging pagbabago sa kultura at lipunan. Sa paglikas ng pamilya ni Alice patungong farm, ipinapakita ang ginawang taktika ng kaniyang ama upang maikubli ang kanilang sasakyan. Isa pang magandang detalye na ipinakita ng manunulat ay pagbibigay diin kung paano nahulma ang mga kabataang Filipino sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon. Dahil ito ay isang akdang pambata, ang pagpokus sa edukasyon sa panahon na ito ay isa pang pamamaraan upang maging mas malapit sa mambabasa.

Sa pagpasok ng impluwensiya ng mga Hapon sa kultura at realidad, makikita ang naging marahas nilang pagtrato na naging dahilan ng pagsunod ng mga Filipino. Nguni’t, tunay na nananaig ang pagmamalasakit ng pamilya nila Alice dahil sa pagkupkop nila sa sundalong Amerikano at ang kabayo na si Brynn Awryn. Ang mensahe ng akda ay hindi lamang maipakita ang karanasan ng partikular na bahagi ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas sa perspektibo ni Alice at ng

kaniyang pamilya pero ang importansya ng pakikipagkapwa kahit sa panahon ng digmaan.

Ngun’it, may ilang punto akong nais talakayin sa bahaging ito. Una, ang ginagampanan na papel ni Brynn Awryn sa kuwento. Hindi masyado nabigyang espasyo ang kahalagahan ng naturang kabayo sa buhay ni Alice maliban sa kaniyang interes dito at pagiging bahagi ng sikreto na kailangan nilang itago. Mas magiging kongkreto ang koneksyon kung mayroong mga

anekdota na maaaring maibahagi, lalo na sa naging pananatili ng sundalo dahil naging saksi rin siya sa initiatibo ng mga guerilla. 

Ang pagbibigay espasyo sa karanasan at buhay ng pamilya nila Alice ay mas

mapapalalim sa pagsali ng mga kuwento tungkol sa mga ibinahaging tulong ni Juan at Cipriana Benitez para sa bayan sa pamamaraan na mauunawaan pa rin ng batang mambabasa. Bilang nagsisimulang manunulat, naniniwala ako na maganda na maisalaysay ang ganitong mga karanasan sa akdang pambata dahil maipapakita na hindi lamang ang mga tanyag na mga

bayani ang kumikilos para sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas. 

Mahalaga ang mga akda kagaya ng The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret dahil

nagkakaroon ng konkretong tala ang mga initiatibo at sakrispisyo ng mga Filipino na hindi dapat mabaon sa limot. 

Louise Nazir A. Banzuela

Taytay, Rizal, Philippines