Customer Reviews

Jigsaw Pony

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Jigsaw Pony by Jessie Haas is an engaging early chapter book about sharing and responsibility, centering on identical twins Fran and Kiera and their new pony Jigsaw. This book is more then just a moralistic tale however, as that Jigsaw is himself a fully drawn out character with his own narrative voice, not just a cute an object for two bratty girls to bicker over. The inclusion of his voice makes the story a full-fledged tale about love and makes Jigsaw a person in it. As the twins bicker over everything relating to Jigsaws name, care, exercise and treatment, the reader learns just how much time, money, and work goes in to taking care of a pony. The family has to buy materials to erect fences, set up a shed into a holding pen, and worry about daily feeding and grooming. Daily subtleties of horse care are related in detail to give the reader a sense of the intense responsibility of owning a pony. And all this work must be negotiated between two obnoxious twins who stubbornly refuse to share anything related to his care, and their likeable friend Jody, who often serves as a buffer zone and neutral party between them when agreements cannot be reached.

Meanwhile the central problem in the book, noticed by both twins in their time, concerns why Jigsaw will not gallop fast and easily tires. When the veterinarian tells the family that Jigsaw is too old for the fast paced races, shows, and jumps that the girls had their hearts set on, they rally to his side even though they are disappointed. They wouldn't dream of getting rid of him because he is old; he is a person to them and a member of the family. The girls learn to live with this disappointment because their love for Jigsaw wins out. It even overcomes their tendency to compete and bicker, as both girls stand firm and united in their desire to keep their beloved (but old) pony. In fact, it is only when they are threatened with loosing Jigsaw that they show any indication that they might be willing and able to share him.

On hte downside, Jigsaw Pony is very genericized, taking place at some unknown but familiar rural location. Only white culture is represented and the characters of the children are very simple and moralistic (even when the twins are behaving badly) and everyone learns a good lesson about sharing at the end. While these characters interact with others, there is no real sense of community. Even though they attend a Halloween Party at the end with other townsfolk, there is nothing unique about this party and no larger themes are drawn. If you're looking for a specific story about specific people, places, or things, you might be disapointed. If you're looking for a cute story about a pony, you'll probably be satisfied.

Wonderful! The kind of book you'd read over and over! I read it in KINDERGARTEN! I challenge you (if your a kid!) or your child (if your an adult) to read it to! Wonderful book for early readers who are ready for chapter books!