Paul Berna Quotes

“When a kindly junk dealer gives a group of poor French children a headless toy horse, the broken toy becomes their only source of fun as they race down the narrow streets of their village. ”

“One of them owns what must be an old rocking horse or carousel horse that has been welded onto a chassis with three wheels.”

“‘Go on!’ cried Marion in a shrill voice. ‘Catch ‘em! Pull ‘em down! Rotten bums who steal the kids’ toys in Poverty Lane!’ With a joyful bound the dogs fell to work.”

“But suddenly the horse becomes the pawn in another game - a deadly race against time between a ruthless gang of train robbers.”

“The horse having lost its head does not lessen the children’s enjoyment at all, they spend their days riding their horse down a steep road and avoiding traffic or not as the case may be.”

“This story of French street kids, street life, street games, the theft of their beloved, headless, wooden horse and their determined, pell-mell pursuit of the thieves. ”

“A group of ten kids in Paris shares the joy of riding downhill on a toy they call the horse. And then some sketchy men steal the horse. ”

“An engaging story about a gang of children in a poor district of Paris after World War 2. Some good characters, including a strong female lead.”

“Inspector Sinet took a good look at her. She was an odd sort of girl, not yet twelve and wretchedly poor, and yet there was something about her that made you think twice. She was worth having on your side.”

“’Hey!’ called Marion. The astonished men turned, and their hands hung useless and their jaws dropped to see the girl and her sixty silent, straining dogs standing behind them. The dogs were waiting as though they were held back only by some invisible leash.”