Publishers Weekly
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Clever Hans was a horse who astounded early-20th-century audiences in Berlin with his cognitive talents—he could purportedly tell time and tap out coin values with his hooves—and who turned out to be clever in a different way than originally thought. Hans was also an inadvertent hero, revolutionizing experimental design by showing, as the book’s afterword explains, “how scientists can accidently change the way that animals, and even people, react when they are being studied.” It all plays out as a rollicking science mystery, with observations resulting in twists and turns, and Kokias (Snow Sisters!) and Lowery (Knot Cannot) are more than up for the task. The text takes an unhurried, reportorial tone (“Scientists, scholars, and religious and military leaders from around the world jumped at the chance to see Clever Hans”), while the thoughtful cartooning portrays Hans himself as downright adorable. Comics-style framing breaks the story into easy-to-grasp chunks, with diagrams, dialogue balloons, and handwritten asides (“Maybe this meant that Clever Hans was a PSYCHIC MIND READER!”) that punctuate, nudge, and tickle until the case is cracked—leaving readers feeling a little savvier about the world around them. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Susan McCabe, Lilla Rogers Studio. (May)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Clever Hans was a horse who got his name because he could do all kinds of things that people didn't think animals could do: math problems, spelling, reading exercises, and more. His owner, Wilhelm von Osten, trained him and believed in him wholeheartedly, but some people thought Clever Hans' skills were nothing more than a trick. Scientists and scholars came from around the world to study Clever Hans, eventually determining that, while he may not have actually been solving math problems, he was reading the people around him to find the right answers. The study of Hans led scientists to develop new processes when researching animals and people who know they're being observed. Lowery's one-dimensional cartoon illustrations are playful and bold; through panels, spot art, and Hans' particularly expressive (and not especially realistic) face, he helps make this sometimes-complex piece of science history digestible for younger readers. Budding horse fans, history fans, and science fans will all find something here to pique their interests.

School Library Journal
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Gr 2–4—This picture book shares the story of Clever Hans, a horse who could supposedly count, add, and tell time. Wilhelm von Osten, who lived in Berlin in 1904, owned Hans, an intelligent, talented horse. Crowds appeared on the street daily to observe Hans. Scientists, scholars, and others came to prove that the horse's skills were a hoax. Oskar Pfungst, an assistant of psychologist Carl Stumpf, put blinders on Hans. He determined that the horse needed to see in order to count and tell time. This "discovery" led to the theory that the horse was really interpreting people's faces and body movements to determine if he was right. Pfgunst continued to explore this early concept of body language. The book ends with an explanation of the "Clever Hans effect" (an actual term in psychology) as well as how scientific interpretation requires double-blind testing. Lowery's realistic, cartoon-style drawings are appealing. VERDICT A unique and enlightening story about a lesser-known historical moment and its effects on the field of psychology that would work well as a read-aloud or jumping-off point for a unit on animal and human intelligence and psychology.—Susan Lissim, Dwight Sch., New York

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

An astonishing horse baffled both the public and the scientific community. In 1904 Berlin, Wilhelm von Osten taught his horse, Clever Hans, how to count, discern colors, and perform other intellectual tasks. He then showcased Clever Hans’ talents to the masses, and people were astounded to see a horse that could seemingly tell time, add up sums, and count money! But not everyone believed the spectacle. Some thought there must be trickery involved. One scientist investigated independently, and the German government asked another to assemble a team of investigators. They decided it wasn’t a trick, but they still couldn’t understand the phenomenon. Then a scientist named Oskar Pfungst made an important discovery. What he realized about Clever Hans—who was certainly clever, just not quite in the way everyone thought—changed the scientific process forever. Kokias’ clear, accessible tone pairs well with Lowery’s cartoon style. The comically smiling horse invites readers in, and intermittent paneled frames help organize the flow of information and visually propel the storytelling arc. Von Osten, the investigators, and spectators present white. English translations of certain German words (“Zeitungen”—“Newspapers”) are also included, with playful arrows pointing readers to them. An author’s note further explains the “Clever Hans Effect” and how it changed science. Clever, indeed. (bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-9 ) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.