The Mud Pony (Reading Rainbow Books) [Paperback]

Caron Lee Cohen (Author), Shonto Begay (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1989 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Reading Rainbow Books

A Native American legend about a young boy and his magical pony. "Splendidly illustrated . . . An excellent addition to folklore collections."--Kirkus Reviews. A Reading Rainbow Selection.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the Skidi branch of the Pawnee Indians of the Plains comes this tale of a boy who achieves greatness in his tribe with the guidance of a pony he made out of mud. Too poor to own a pony like the other boys, he fashions a small mud pony and goes to see it every day. It is during one of these visits that the rest of the tribe moves west in search of buffalo, and the boy is left behind. Not only does the mud pony become a living, breathing horse, but she takes him to his tribe; later, she helps him become the chief of his tribe by giving him great power in battles. "I am here, your Mother Earth. You are not alone!" are the words he hears when the mud pony has once again gone back to the earth. Cohen retells this story with grace; Begay, a Native American artist, provides evocative paintings that derive strength and impact from the suggestion of action rather than fully detailed scenes. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5 According to the acknowledgments, " The Mud Pony is one of a number of ancient boy-hero stories told among the Skidi band of the Pawnee Indians." A poor Indian boy longs for a pony of his own. He sculpts a pony out of mud and takes care of it as if it were real. When his tribe accidently leaves him behind, the mud pony becomes real and leads the boy to their new camp. The boy and his magical pony help the tribe defeat their enemies, and after many years the boy becomes a powerful chief. The pony appears to the grown boy in a dream and tells him that it's time for the animal to return to Mother Earth. The chief lets him go. A quietly told tale, solidly built upon Pawnee traditions; for example, the symbolic use of Mother Earth is characteristic of this tribe who lived in dome-shaped earth lodges. The watercolor illustrations are executed in earth tones with spatter backgrounds. The primitive style, with minimal details and flat perspective, almost resembles Indian artwork found on the walls of their housing. An authentic Indian folktale. Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; 1 edition (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590415263
• ISBN-13: 978-0590415262
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #794,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Praising THE MUD PONY, June 10, 2000

By 

Lorraine McCarthy (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mud Pony (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book has made a lasting impression on my first graders. They loved the story and delighted in the pastel illustrations, especially of the pony in flight. THE MUD PONY fits perfectly in the study of folklore. It appeals not only to the young mind, but to the more mature person as well. The fantasy is delightful and easily grasped by primary children. It makes a fantastic "Read Aloud" book. Read Aloud is a mandatory part of our San Diego Literacy program. We are encouraged to choose only books that "speak" to the children, that instill in them a desire to read more. Moreover, Native American folklore is a precious genre that should be be incorporated into each grade's literary curriculum. Happily, THE MUD PONY can be included in the Multi-cultural category. My students compared and contrasted it with two other books, THE GIFT and EAGLE FEATHERS, both by Owl Goingback. They used the graphic organizer of a triple-circled Venn Diagram which allows for a marvelous overview of the three books, depicting: characters, settings, themes, authors, and illustrators. The children chose a special picture to depict their favorite selections and drew their own rendition onto the diagram. They also searched for "special words" in each book and added them to the large sheet of manila paper covering the front classroom door. All who pass by can read the titles and the information beneath each. As a long-time veteran of the teaching of reading to students of all ages, I am happy to promote THE MUD PONY. Thank you, Caron Lee Cohen, for a book that appeals to the inner child in all of us.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cross curricular integration, June 26, 2007

By 

Vickie Davis "Vickie" (Willamette Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mud Pony (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)

This story is a wonderful way to move into working with clay. Just as the boy in the story creates his own horse from clay, allowing children to work with clay immediately after hearing this story gives them a chance to experience kinesthetically what they've heard. Rather than going immediately to reflective or responsive writing, use this step to allow the children to spend more time working it through. Then write.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story about connecting and coming of age, May 6, 2009

By 

P. Phillips (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mud Pony (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)

The story begins with a young boy and ends with a leader. In the course of the story, our hero learns to trust his connection to Mother Earth, as personified by the mud pony. The hero first goes through a long journey seeking his people, then a battle to protect his people, and also a buffalo hunt to feed his people. Through trusting the pony, our hero thrives, growing stronger and braver, until he eventually becomes the Chief of his tribe. When our hero no longer needs the pony, who returns to clay, our hero still has his connection to Mother Earth.

My three-year-old son loves the Mud Pony and wants to read it over and over again. I am happy to report that it is a pleasure to read over and over again.