Elliott’s Tails: A son of RL Best Of Sudden creates connections through children’s books.
All photos courtesy of Sue Greenberg.
Sharing a new foal with friends – especially kids – probably tops the list of what brings us joy as horse owners. Sue Greenberg, a pediatric nurse and 4H leader, took it one step further when she realized she had a way to brighten the days of kids everywhere.
Her foal, Elliott, by RL Best Of Sudden and out of an Invitation Only granddaughter, is now the star of two stunningly beautiful books for children, and they’re not the norm. They use actual photographs integrated with colorful illustrations and kid-friendly rhymes to help teach children about horses – and share the joy of the horse.
Sue is offering a special just for Equine Chronicle fans and RL Best Of Sudden fans – check out her article about Elliott below – and keep scrolling to learn more about getting your copy of the books and the plush horse!
By Delores Kuhlwein
Florida resident Sue Greenberg, a pediatric nurse, knew she wanted to cheer up the kids who were depressed by their stay in the hospital. She also knew what brought her joy, and made her laugh, and that was her foal, Elliott.
The RL Best Of Sudden son clearly carried on “Bo’s” legacy in his personality and looks at an early age, Sue explains. “He loves people, he gives you kisses all the time, and he always greets you when you come to the barn,” she says, adding that Elliott’s antics as a foal with a ball twice as big as he was became a perfect prescription for a laugh, especially when he would stick out his tongue and show off his teeth. Calling his name and offering his favorite treat, peppermints, drew him running into the barn from the pasture each and every time.
Sue, also a 4-H leader, realized this huge personality and beautiful sight could bring cheer to others, too, and she put her head together with her illustrator friend, Lisa Bohart, to work on a book for kids.
In the early stages of planning, she experienced another critical epiphany. “I went to play miniature golf with my nephew, and the sign at every station rhymed. I threw my whole book out and started over and had everything in rhyme to make it kid friendly. Now, one of my friends has a child who doesn’t even read – but he knows every word,” Sue explains.
She published the first book with Elliott as a foal in 2018, Elliott’s Tails: The Adventures of a Baby Horse. The rhyme inside the pages not only portrays glimpses of Elliott’s real-life happenings growing up, but Sue also incorporates some important life skills for kids, such as Elliott taking a bath, eating healthy snacks like apples, and learning to brush his teeth.
“Look at my new teeth – I only have a few!
I really, really need them – because I love to chew!”
Elliott’s popularity resulted in another book in 2019: Elliott’s Tails: Saddle Up For New Adventures. Meanwhile, Sue’s dream of reaching youth through horses was coming true, as she visited pediatric hospitals and hosted children’s groups at her barn, and word of her work grew. She even gained a big fan on her Facebook page – Governor Ron DeSantis.
Both books were honored as Gold Award recipients from Mom’s Choice Awards, an organization that honors excellence in children’s literature. The news caught wind of Sue’s outreach, too:
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Horse people just naturally want to share their passion, and Sue had experienced it throughout her life, beginning at age 15 with her first horse, a gift from her parents. She says growing up with horses also taught her responsibility, and most of all love.
Elliot and his dam, Ellie.
Speaking of that love, her father had raised and raced Quarter Horses, so when he passed away, Sue kept the farm in Florida, and she kept the legacy of the Quarter Horse going with her own twist – halter horses, followed western pleasure horses.
“I did have a World Champion,” she affirms. “Ronnie Casper showed her in 1994 — Outrageous Temptation — and her name was Jessie. I like a laid back horse with a quiet disposition, so I also chose Quarter Horses.”
Elliott, named because of his dam, Ellie, was the result of her first time breeding. “My first Western Pleasure horse,” she says. And now, the legacy of the Quarter Horse has not only acknowledged the gift her parents gave her – it has also brought literacy, warmth, and hope to the lives of youth.
“I love it when parents call me up and send pictures of their kids reading the book, and they say how much they enjox y it. One lady said her child is eight and normally hates to read, but he reads Elliot’s book every night and keeps the book under his pillow.”
The 16-inch plush horses that are made in Elliott’s likeness, she explains, are “soft and cuddly – they’re custom made, just like a little Ellott.” Those “plushies” become comforting companions as kids visit the doctor, and much more. “They take them with them a lot, which is really cute,” says Sue. “It inspires me because I know sometimes children don’t have a friend or positive role model, and Elliot can be their very own friend.”
A third book is in the works, and in the meantime, Elliott’s first two books and a plush Elliot can be ordered directly from Sue Greenberg.
She’s offering a special just for Equine Chronicle readers:
♥ $15 per individual book (normally 20), plus shipping
♥ $60 for both books (normally 20) and a plush (normally $35) as one package, plus shipping
Contact Sue directly to order – by email or phone:
1-727-458-4447
