A story about having the courage to help a new friend learn about Jesus

Inspire children to be brave and kind through this story about an Ethiopian man who shared his faith in Jesus with a new friend. Children will see how God uses simple acts of kindness to do extraordinary things.

About the Book

Stop the Horses tells the story of Philip, a brave man who builds a new friendship with someone from a different country. Philip helps his new friend learn about Jesus and grow in his faith.

Purchase Hardcover - $17.99
Purchase Softcover - $13.99

About the Author

Evelyn McNeil Woodson, M.Ed.  

Evelyn McNeil Woodson (1926-2010) was a teacher/educator and an author of books to help kids learn about the African presence in the Bible.

Though Evelyn is no longer with us, her sons Maurice and Dr. Terrance Woodson, D. Min, have honored her memory by ensuring her dream of publishing this story became a reality. Her other six manuscripts will be published in the future. 

More About The Author

Learn more about the life and legacy of Evelyn McNeil Woodson.

Readers Love Stop the Horses!

  • “Stop the Horses! is a beautifully written children's book that presents the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion in a clear, biblically faithful way. The vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling bring Scripture to life while highlighting the presence of Africans in the Bible. With meaningful lessons for both children and adults, this is a valuable addition to any home or library.”

    – Rev. Dr. M. Bernadette Moore, Executive Pastor
    Bethel Bible Fellowship, Carrollton, TX

  • “Stop the Horses is a compelling and beautifully illustrated children’s book that brings the story of the Ethiopian’s conversion in Acts 8 to life in an engaging and accessible way. It highlights the presence of people of color in the Bible while sharing the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Warm and inviting, it’s a meaningful read for children and families alike.”

    – Evangelist Romona Washington

  • "I wish I had known Evelyn Woodson personally. I would have appreciated her insight and warmth. Her writing is compelling and makes me want to read more. Her new book is a meaningful retelling of ancient stories with beautiful illustrations for all ages. This book will grab casual readers and professional educators alike. It should be in church libraries and family homes because it will be read again and again."

    – Rev. Dr. Wesley A. Rediger  

  • “I enjoyed reading Stop the Horses, a thoughtful children's book that brings Scripture to life in a clear and engaging way. Evelyn Woodson retells Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in language children can easily understand while preserving its spiritual meaning. I especially appreciated the representation of African presence in the Bible and the beautifully illustrated historical setting. This is a meaningful and vibrant addition to children's literature.”

    – Dr. Jacqueline Garrett
    Professor, Teacher Education and Supervision

Order Your Copy Today!

This book makes a great gift to help children learn about courage, make new friends and share the history of Christianity in Africa.

Bulk discounts available!

Purchase Hardcover - $17.99
Purchase Softcover - $13.99

A book to teach children about being brave and sharing your faith with new friends.

This book makes a great gift to help children learn about courage, bravery and making new friends that may not look like you.  Free downloads are available to help you remember the story in the book.   

Download Resources

Meet the Illustrator

Michael Hays is an illustrator and art educator with extensive experience in children's publishing.

Michael’s work draws inspiration from his religious upbringing in the Religious Society of Friends and the civil rights songs of Pete Seeger. Michael has illustrated many beloved children's books over his career, including titles by Pete Seeger, Mildred Taylor, and Irene Smalls, among others.

  • Michael has illustrated many children’s books, including Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger (Simon and Schuster 1986), The Gold Cadillac by Mildred Taylor (Penguin 1987), Johnathan and His Mommy by Irene Smalls (Little, Brown and Company 1992), The Hundredth Name by Shulamith Levi Oppenheim (Boyd’s Mills Press 1995), The History of Counting by Denise Schmandt-Besserat (HarperCollins 1999), and W is for Windy City, A Chicago Alphabet by Steven L. Layne and Deborah Dover Layne (Sleeping Bear Press 2010).

    Publishers of Michael’s over 60 illustrated book jackets for young teenagers include Harper Collins; Dutton; Farrar, Straus & Giroux; Morrow; Atheneum; Delacorte; Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich; Knopf; Clarion; and McElderry Books.

    Michael teaches art and design for BA and BFA programs in the School of Visual Arts at Columbia College Chicago, with students enrolled in illustration, fine art, animation and game art degree programs.

    Michael has presented over 100 multi-media performance events in Chicago and New York City for K-12  students, exploring the work of illustrating children’s books.

    Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine commissioned Michael’s illustrated multicultural portraits for their interactive influenza educational programs in 2007 and 2008.

    Michael illustrated the fictional Big World Magazine, featured in The Promotion, a feature film starring Seann William Scott and John C. Riley, written and directed by Steve Conrad 2009.

    Sales of various editions of Michael’s picture book Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger have totaled over 1.5 million copies. They include Simon and Schuster hard cover, Aladdin mass market softcover, Scholastic school edition (with audio recording by James Earl Jones), Scholastic Big Book edition, Spanish, Japanese and Swedish foreign language editions. PBS TV shows Reading Rainbow and Between The Lions featured Abiyoyo.

     In 1979, Michael earned his BFA in illustration at Rhode Island School of Design.

    Many images of Michael’s book jacket illustrations, picture books, and animation can be viewed on his website at www.michaelhays.com

    Prints and posters of selected works can be purchased at the Painted Pony shop on Redbubble.com

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