Colt has a secret identity. By day, he’s a seemingly ordinary child, but when the neighborhood needs his help, he transforms into Neigh Kid—dressed in a horse mask, a red cape, and nothing else. He envisions himself as a majestic hero, galloping through streets on a mission to save a lost pet. However, the humorous reality is that he’s a scantily clad child dashing away from his loving parents, who are desperately trying to get him to put on clothes. Colt’s playful antics are sure to elicit laughter from kids and adults. However, the overarching, serious message of the story is one of bravery. Although elementary school–age children will find the text accessible, adults may need to explain occasional wordplay: “A cat: lost. A street: crossed. Colt: tossed.” Moraes’s full-color cartoon illustrations strategically and cleverly cover the protagonist’s nudity with a well-placed falling leaf or a flick of his cape. Colt and his family are depicted with pale skin, and his neighbors are portrayed with brown skin tones. A list of objects is included at the end for readers to spot in the illustrations, making each read an interactive experience.
