About Satchi and Little Star

Satchi watches as a herd of eight wild horses trot past her gate! One little horse has a white star on his forehead. She yearns to have a horse of her very own. But, when she asks her mama and papa they both say, "Satchi, wild horses are meant to be wild."

Satchi decides she will catch and tame Little Star all by herself.

Join Satchi in her joys and trials as we follow her down the path that leads her to what true friendship really is.

Inspired by the beautiful wild horses in the Caribbean and around the world, Donna weaves the story of a young girl, a wild horse, and how they touch each other's lives.

Susan Spellman's masterful illustrations capture the essence of a young girl's yearning, and emotions. She sweeps the reader away, with her colorful watercolor paintings, to the island world of Satchi and Little Star.

Awards for Satchi and Little Star

Writer’s Digest Magazine Honorable Mention for Children’s Picture Book!

Mom's Choice Gold Award for picture book in category “Values and Life Lessons”!

New England Book Festival Honorable Mention!

Praise for Satchi and Little Star

— Midwest Book Review, "highly recommended especially for public library children's picturebook collections" — Satchi and Little Star is a heartwarming picturebook that will especially appeal to little girls who love horses. Satchi is a young, dark-skinned island girl who is fascinated by the wild horses who live near her. One young horse has a white star on his forehead; Satchi longs to tame him and make him her own. When she asks her mother and father about the prospect, they tell her, "Satchi, wild horses are meant to be wild." Unbowed, Satchi resolves to catch and tame Little Star entirely on her own. But attempting to domesticate a wild animal is no simple prospect, and when Satchi's efforts put Little Star in jeopardy, she must summon all her courage to rescue him! Satchi and Little Star ultimately has a strong positive message about how it is possible to love wild animals without forcibly making them into domestic pets, and is highly recommended especially for public library children's picture book collections.

— Amazon.com 5 star review — "Satchi and Little Star" Author Donna Seim and Illustrator Susan Spellman are a perfect team for the very believable story, dramatic depictions and charming island setting for this youngster's tale. Donna Seim introduces the island horse culture to set the stage for Satchi's perspective, which then is lovingly conceived and told so it invites a child to "read" and "see." The simple island life appears relaxed and conducive to a touch of drama. The illustrations reinforce each other with repeating elements that become familiar like Satchi's many colorful pigtails along with her claim to be an "island girl" and a "friend" to Little Star. A lizard stays on the scene along with typical yard animals. The jelly bread is enticing for Little Star and all the horses, but can be a favorite for children as well. An excellent life-lesson here is to nurture a friendship, recognize and help those in need, then, after you take care of them, release them to their natural environment. The book covers these ideas clearly and makes you wish you could be there with the little girl Satchi. All seven of my grandchildren will enjoy this book.
Mac Gimse, Professor Emeritus of Art, St. Olaf College, Northfield MN

— "A moving and beautifully illustrated story of the power and beauty of the bond between a young girl and a wild horse that she befriends on Grand Turk Island...a welcome addition to every child's bookshelf."
Jay Bowen, President, Animal Rescue League of Boston.

— "A must read for every boy and girl who has ever yearned to own a wild animal. This heart-warming story, wonderfully written with vibrant illustrations, captures the heart of the relationship between a young island girl and the wild horse she has fallen in love with. A great lesson for all!"
Stephanie Human, Chairman, TCSPCA, Grand Turk Chapter

— "What can be better than island girls and wild horses at the beach? Satchi is such a delight! I'm going to love showing this to young girls when they come in my shop looking for a book about horses."
Leslie Lanier, owner, Books to be Red, Ocracoke, NC

— "Children, parents and grandparents alike will enjoy this delightful story about a little girl who loves horses and learns a valuable lesson about friendship. Susan Spellman's whimsical watercolors bring the warmth and color of the Caribbean to life."
Karel Hayes, artist and author of THE WINTER VISITORS, THE SUMMER VISITORS, SNOWFLAKE COMES TO STAY.